St. Peters Appointment to Alderman Information

3 vie for aldermanic post
By Tim Bryant
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/24/2007

ST. PETERS — Three candidates — including one who sought the job this spring — remain in the running to fill the aldermanic seat vacated by Bruce Holt, who resigned to take a state job.

Mayor Len Pagano said at Thursday night's aldermanic meeting that he will interview the candidates during a closed session at the board's meeting Sept. 13. If he and aldermen agree on a candidate, the appointment could be made that night, Pagano said,

Candidates for the Ward 3 seat are Pat Houlahan, Lonnie Nasalroad and Ed Remillard. They qualified by meeting Pagano's requirement that they submit a nominating petition signed by 150 Ward 3 voters. Thomas Roberts Jr. also submitted a petition, but it was rejected by St. Charles County election authorities, Pagano said. Election officials determined that someone who does not reside in the ward signed the petition, the mayor said.

Houlahan and Roberts were among the candidates who lost the Ward 3 election in April to Gus Elliott, who won the aldermanic seat Pagano formerly held. Advertisement
The other 3rd Ward seat became available when Holt resigned in July to take a job with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Elliott and Alderman Dave Thomas, who also was elected in April, wanted the candidate interviews to be shown on the city's cable television channel. Aldermen rejected that idea by a 5-2 vote.

Pagano's choice for alderman will complete Holt's term, which expires next spring.

Thomas and Elliott also want future candidates to disclose whether they have been convicted of a felony. Thomas said a state law that declares felons unqualified for state office should be expanded to cover municipalities.

But only Alderman Rocky Reitmeyer supported them in a resolution asking the Legislature to pass a law prohibiting felons from qualifying as municipal candidates. Voting against the resolution were Aldermen Don Aytes, Judy Bateman, Patrick Barclay and Jerry Hollingsworth.

tbryant@post-dispatch.com | 636-255-7212