"The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state,
​but from the hand of GOD." - John F. Kennedy

How do we hold elected representatives accountable for their actions in office?  How do we ensure that they properly represent the voice of We the People?  Saint Louis County has numerous issues that are, as of yet, unresolved, many of which were the direct result of the prior administration.  That administration was elected for a four year term.  What now?

The following are two simple moves by We the People that will generate greater accountability in Saint Louis County government now and in the future.
 
#1 INDEPENDENT AUDIT
Citizens of Saint Louis County may file a sunshine request and conduct an independent audit of the County budget, County jail, and County human resource records.  This is needed for several reasons:
 
Trajectory of Saint Louis County Budget 
According to members of County government and County council, Saint Louis County is on the path to bankruptcy in two years.  Please contact Mr. Sam Page (County Executive) and Mr. Chris Howard (County Budget and Policy Director) for more information.

County Jail
Treatment of citizens incarcerated at the County jail warrants investigation.  According to a member of County government, human rights abuses are taking place.  Several deaths have been reported, but no one in government has been investigating.  Please contact Mr. Sam Page (County Executive) for more information.

Proposition P
According to members of County government and County council, Proposition P (Public Safety Sales Tax) dollars are being allocated toward  Department of Corrections administrative salaries based on slippery ballot language.  This was not the intent of the proposition as voters understood it as the proposition read "public safety" (AKA police officer salaries).  Please contact Mr. Sam Page (County Executive) and County Council Members (Ms. Rita Days, Ms. Kelli Dunaway, Ms. Lisa Clancy, Mr. Tim Fitch, Ms. Shalonda Webb, Mr. Ernie Trakas, and Mr. Mark Harder) for more information.

General Fund
According to members of County government, Saint Louis County does not have sufficient funds for street repair, which is a primary role of government.  The shortfall is due to money previously allocated for this purpose being diverted out of the general fund and into miscellaneous administrative salaries.  Please contact Mr. Sam Page (County Executive) and Mr. Chris Howard (County Budget and Policy Director) for more information.

Nepotism
According to the Missouri State Constitution, nepotism is not allowed in state or local government.  According to members of County government and County council, Saint Louis County has several positions filled with persons who are related to other members of city, county, or state government.  Hiring of “friends and family” is rampant in County government.  Please contact Mr. Sam Page (County Executive) and County Council Members (Ms. Rita Days, Ms. Kelli Dunaway, Ms. Lisa Clancy, Mr. Tim Fitch, Ms. Shalonda Webb, Mr. Ernie Trakas, and Mr. Mark Harder) for more information.


#2 THE SAINT LOUIS COUNTY CHARTER
In an interview with KSDK leading up to the August 2022 Primary, current Budget and Policy Director, Mr. Chris Howard mentioned assisting in rewriting the County Charter which was passed in 2019 and went into effect in 2020.  The County Charter currently grants the County Executive unrestrained control over the County government which was previously balanced by the members of council and the voters.  The Charter also calls for the creation of a Charter Commission which could completely usurp power away from the voters and into the hands of government appointees (see section 10.020).  A simple ballot initiative and majority vote to a previous version of the Charter would restore the balance of power back to Saint Louis County residents.  Please contact Mr. Sam Page (County Executive) and Mr. Chris Howard (County Budget and Policy Director) for more information.
 
PROPOSITION A
Proposition A goes into effect in 2023.  This proposition is intended to provide Whistle-blower protection for those in County government willing to step forward with information.  We pray that those in government will find the courage to step forward and do the right thing.

PIETAS
Meaning of the word “PIETAS”: 
Dutiful conduct
Sense of duty to God
Piety
Conscientiousness
Love of one's country / countrymen
Affection
Loyalty
Patriotism
Gratitude
 
In other words, “pietas” is love of neighbor, love of country, and love of GOD.