KOSTER TAPS ROBERT KENNEY TO BE HIS CHIEF OF STAFF
St. Louis Lawyer will oversee Attorney General’s Office
St. Louis, MO – Attorney General-Elect Chris Koster today announced his selection of Robert Kenney to be his Chief of Staff, marking the first time in Missouri history that an African American has been chosen to fill this position.
Robert Kenney served as Assistant Attorney General under Jay Nixon, working in the Consumer Protection Division, handling all phases of civil enforcement of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. He also worked in the Labor Division, representing the State of Missouri in litigation matters including workers’ compensation and prevailing wage cases, a top priority for Koster. Kenney is currently a partner with the St. Louis law firm, Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus. Before earning his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law, Kenney also worked as a substitute teacher in the St. Louis City Public Schools and a community organizer for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
In the active discussion below about 25th ward politics Maggie Lampe, the committeewoman for the ward this morning announced her her non-candidacy, "Let me clearly state I have no intentions now or ever to run for alderman."
Mayor's Blog: Disciplinary Proceedings Against Wise Started
From MayorSlay.com: Sending and receiving emails reliably; searching and using the Internet quickly; safely sharing documents; having an up-to-date, useful, and accessible website – these are all things that mostly eluded City government until just a few years ago. Following a partial reorganization of the technology department and a government-wide emphasis on new technologies, it has – by most accounts – become easier recently to do those things at City Hall. Part of the credit belongs to the City’s IT department; part belongs to increasingly sophisticated City government users who have demanded more effective Internet tools.
But, even as the City’s technology has gotten smarter, not all of the City’s technology workers seem to have followed suit. Squabbling ex-partners at the City’s former technology consultants have alleged bad behavior by themselves and by some of the City’s employees.
How dumb – or bad — was this? A performance/financial audit and an investigation will tell.
For now, disciplinary proceedings regarding IT director Mike Wise have been started and he has been asked not to report to work pending the outcome of those proceedings. The disciplinary system doesn’t require any special technology; I expect it to work quickly.
Rumor has it that former state representative John Bowman will be walking the halls again soon, as the chief of staff for incoming Sen. Robin Wright Jones.Bowman had a hand in the field operations that lifted Jones over Rep. Rodney Hubbard in Senate 5. Though Bowman is a savvy political mind, he does bring the baggage of having pled guilty to bribery earlier this year.
In Gentry Trotter's column in the Whirl this week, he ends with this bit: Last week, we heard that Mayor St. Francis was furious that Mike McMillan maybe running against him, after making a promise that he wouldn't? This is America - Mr. Mayor - freedom of choice is still what's happening.
All true, part true, untrue? Who knows? But fun to read, which it the point of his column.
Former state representative Sherman Parker has a date in court today. His estranged wife has sought an order of protection against him. Parker is the head of the Missouri Republican Party's Missouri Spectrum, an outreach effort to African American voters.
Michael Mullen has been chosen from the panel of nominees to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis created by the retirement of Judge Evelyn M. Baker.
STATEMENT OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF SAINT CRONAN CHURCH in the matter of the Canonical Discipline of Sister Louise Lears, S.C. 27 June 2008
Sister Louise Lears was removed from the Pastoral Team of Saint Cronan Church by the action of Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke on Thursday 26 June 2008. No communication was received by the pastor or people of the parish, other than the publication of the “Decree of Extra- Judicial Adjudication” on the Archdiocesan web site late in the day 26 June 2008. The decree relieves Sr. Louise of her service to us and our children and seeks to remove her from our common worship, effective immediately.
The people of Saint Cronan Church wholeheartedly support the pastoral work of Sr. Louise Lears and have been edified by her depth of caring for the people of this parish, our children, the children of our neighbors, and the men and women who call the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood of St. Louis home. Sister Louise has been a model of compassion and of non-violent resolution of conflict. She has encouraged us to live more fully the Gospel of Jesus. It saddens us deeply that she has been singled-out for prosecution in a Church court and we raise serious questions of the wisdom of having one man serve as prosecutor, judge, jury—and now, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court— in any supposed system of Justice.
We are concerned that Archbishop Burke seems more comfortable seeking resolution of conflict through recourse to Church law and by wielding his considerable power and authority over officials in the Archdiocese and its formal legal structures, rather than following the simpler, less expensive, and more challenging course of action recommended by Jesus (Matthew 5:21-26) that we seek reconciliation face-to-face with those with whom we are in conflict.
The people of Saint Cronan Church repeatedly invited Archbishop Burke to engage in conversation with us. The Archbishop repeatedly declined our invitations.
The long tradition of the Roman Catholic Church has held the primacy of an individual’s conscience in making ethical decisions. The people of Saint Cronan Church respect this tradition and we recognize Sr. Louise’s integrity and courage.
Here the letter sent from Rep. Connie Johnson to City Dem Chairman Brian Wahby:
Subject: Response to Residency Inquiries
Dear Brian: It has been brought to my attention that current Committeeman of the 27th Ward, Curtis Royston, has been making inquiries on my status as Committeewoman of the 27th Ward. Apparently, Mr. Royston believes that the residency challenge regarding my bid for the 5th Senate District gives him and others basis to challenge my qualifications for committeewoman of the 27th Ward. There is an old saying that some people like to “kick others when they are down”. However, that saying will not apply to me, because Connie Johnson is far from being down.
The residency challenge received publicity far and wide. The trial court held that I broke the 12 month consecutive chain of residency when I temporarily relocated to my mother’s house during the months of October to December, 2007. The rest is history. The lawsuit did not address whether I had broken any residency requirements for my sitting positions both as a state representative and a committeewoman. Therefore, as you and I have discussed, if anyone seeks to challenge whether I meet the residency requirements to serve in my current capacities, another lawsuit would need to be filed and the information necessary would have to go back to 2004, when I filed for Committeewoman. With upcoming Presidential and Gubernatorial elections, this would probably be a poor use of the Democratic Central Committee’s resources. Besides, the August 5th primary is right around the corner and the 27th Ward will have a new committeewoman – Mrs. Pamela Boyd.
I think it is truly regrettable that I have to address this situation again with you, when everybody knows that my residency has never waivered during my term in office, going back to the year 1999 when I first ran for office. If someone wants to try to “capitalize” on the 5th Senatorial District issue, might I suggest they read the legal opinion first and go from there. If someone wants to find me “guilty” of anything, then consider me guilty of putting the interest of my family ahead of my own political career. Of that, I am not ashamed and will defend that decision any day of the week.
As for Mr. Royston, I would suggest to him that people who live in glass houses need not throw stones. While I am not a fan of airing dirty laundry in public, I find it amusing that Mr. Royston would write correspondence, or open his mouth to request any challenge regarding my residency when it is a well known fact that for the past four years, Mr. Royston has not only resided outside of the 27th Ward, but outside of the City of St. Louis as well. It has been a widely known fact that Mr. Royston has resided in Jennings , Missouri , although he owns property in the City. When Mr. Royston was questioned about his Jennings residence, you and others well know that I was perhaps one of his most well-known defenders and supporters. Mr Royston fought answered challenges to his residency by stating “Where I lay my head is nobody’s business.” However, Mr. Royston has decided to make an issue about where I lay my head and I find it absolutely amusing that you would even remotely entertain his request regarding my residency.
It is truly a sad day in politics when democrats lose sight of the real enemy. As democrats, we are to remain focused on making this state and city a better place; however, the divisive actions of Mr. Royston and his minions, only hold the interests of one individual. The actions of Mr. Royston demonstrate how petty, small minded politicians lose their site and focus on the real issues plaguing our community and spend more time trying to fulfill individual vendettas.
Brian, you are aware that I did not to endorse Mr. Royston in the 61st District Representative race. You are also aware that this has caused friction in the 27th Ward; so it goes without saying that this residency inquiry that Mr. Royston seeks is more a response to my decision not to endorse him in his political endeavors. It is exactly because of this type of leadership, or lack thereof, displayed by Mr. Royston that I have endorsed Chris Carter, not only for State Representative, but also for Committeeman of the 27th Ward.
To add insult to injury, Mr. Royston is using taxpayer dollars to launch his failing political campaigns and vendettas from the office of the City Treasurer. I know Larry Williams and respect him tremendously. I do think it is unfortunate that Mr. Royston is utilizing City time in a way that could potentially hurt the very person that gave him his first real employment opportunity. Mr. Royston’s blatant disregard and lack of respect for Mr. Williams actually comes as no surprise from a man who has no sense of loyalty to others and himself.
Nonetheless, should you continue to entertain Mr. Royston’s request, please know that I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Also you may feel free to have your attorney call my attorney.
Thank you for your time and attention regarding this matter. I truly hope that all Democrats in the City of St. Louis will one day be able to work together for the common good and to ensure that the best interest of the people are being met. Until then, it’s a sad day in St. Louis City politics.
