South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Ex-administrator receives sweet deal from Crestwood

The Call’s Kari Williams reports today former Crestwood City Administrator Petree Eastman will receive seven months’ salary under the terms of a settlement agreement approved by the Board of Aldermen.

In addition, Eastman has the option of Crestwood continuing to pay her health insurance benefits for 12 months, or through March 31, 2013, under the terms of the agreement.

What a sweet deal for Eastman, as she will be paid a year’s salary plus an additional 12 months of health insurance benefits for working roughly five months.

For Crestwood taxpayers, the settlement agreement is not a sweet deal.

Unfortunately, only two aldermen — Darryl Wallach of Ward 1 and Paul Duchild of Ward 3 — recognized that and cast “no” votes against the settlement agreement. For that, they should be applauded.

The same can’t be said of the remaining aldermen who voted in favor of the agreement, particularly those lame-duck aldermen who were not seeking re-election in April, yet made the motions and seconds to reward Eastman with a year’s salary for five months’ work — Chris Pickel and Steve Knarr, both of Ward 2, and Deborah Beezley of Ward 4.

But there’s no shortage of blame to go around. From the meetings this newspaper attended, it was obvious Eastman had her own agenda to promote. She seemed to forget — or just didn’t care — that the Board of Aldermen established policy, not her.

A perfect example is when the city’s Ways and Means Committee asked for suggestions on possible cuts in the wake of Barnes & Noble closing and the imminent closing of Crestwood Court’s Sears. In presenting a list of potential cuts, Eastman took a defiant tone with the city’s elected officials, saying they were not recommended.

When Ways and Means Committee members asked to review the city’s check register, Mayor Jeff Schlink reported discussions with Eastman about providing the check register were being met with resistance.

How can such insubordination be rewarded with a year’s pay for five months’ work?

And then there’s Crestwood’s legal eagle, City Attorney Rob Golterman of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh. Seriously, is this settlement agreement the best you could negotiate for the Board of Aldermen and the city’s citizens?

Like we said, there’s plenty of blame to go around. It’s too bad Crestwood taxpayers once again are stuck with the bill under Golterman’s watch.

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