For many years in the city of Crestwood, closed sessions of the Board of Aldermen were the exception rather than the rule.

That began to change, however, in late 2003 when the city began facing a myriad of financial and litigation issues. Though the number of aldermanic closed sessions became more common, they didn’t seem excessive.

But since Roy Robinson was sworn in as mayor in April 2005, the Board of Aldermen has conducted a total of 58 closed sessions. In other words, aldermen have conducted closed sessions at 64 percent of their meetings since Roy’s been mayor.

And when Frank Myers was named city administrator in early 2006, it seemed as if the number of closed sessions of the Board of Aldermen exploded. We always believed that one of the reasons Roy recommended Mr. Myers for the city administrator’s post was Mr. Myers’ inability to say no to Roy.

But what a difference a strong-principled city administrator with backbone makes. Since Jim Eckrich was named city administrator last summer, the number of closed sessions of the Board of Aldermen has noticeably dwindled.

In fact, from Mr. Myers’ first meeting as city administrator on Feb. 14, 2006, through July 8, 2008 — the last meeting before Mr. Eckrich become city administrator — the board met in closed session at 40 of 58 meetings — or 69 percent of the time.

Since Mr. Eckrich’s first meeting as city administrator on Aug. 12, 2008, to the present, the Board of Aldermen has met in closed session at three of 14 meetings — or 21 percent of the time. What a remarkable change.

But even more amazing is the fact that without Mr. Eckrich as city administrator, Roy presided over 55 closed sessions as mayor — or 71 percent of the time. Roy may hold the dubious distinction of presiding over the most closed sessions as mayor in the city’s history. Open? Hardly.

In recent weeks, aldermen and citizens have rightfully questioned the need for two closed sessions called by Mr. Eckrich to discuss personnel matters. After digging into the issue, we and Missouri Press Association attorney Jean Maneke believe they were justified.

While we’ll continue to question closed sessions as much as our readers have come to expect, we also believe Crestwood citizens should appreciate the newfound depth and openness that Mr. Eckrich stamps on his work as city administrator.