St. Louis County executive Charlie Dooley has nominated two new members to the St. Louis County Police Board.
The Democratic executive made the nominations of former Metro CEO Bob Baer and former Hazelwood member T.R. Carr official today. If they are confirmed by the Council, the board would have a quorum for the first time since September.
Baer's nomination was not without detractors. He is linked to controversial Dooley advisor John Temporiti, and accused by activist Tom Sullivan of steering contracts to favored companies while chairing the board of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District.
"It would be difficult to imagine a worse choice," Sullivan said of Baer. "Bob Baer has long been one of this area's leading fixers. He can make things happen no matter how crooked, dishonest or underhanded it might be."
Temporiti, Dooley said, had no influence over who was appointed.
"I know Mr. Baer personally. He’s a friend of mine," Dooley said. "I know Mr. T.R. Carr personally. They are both very good friends of mine. Good people in the community, gave back to the community, and they will continue to give back to the community."
Dooley said he'd announce his nominee for the third open seat "in the next couple of weeks."
Also today, the council delayed a vote on a bill that would make county streets more pedestrian friendly over concerns about cost, which supporters call bogus.
The county streets department says the cost of the legislation would be "astronomical" - a claim its sponsor Pat Dolan, says is based on the faulty assumption that every street would have to be retrofitted immediately to include sidewalks and bike lanes.
"That’s not what this bill is about," Dolan said. "It’s where a new road is built or reconstructed, if it’s possible, then they’ll put a bike lane or a crosswalk, whatever needs to be there."
Dolan says he’s confident the measure will pass next week. Dooley says he’ll sign it.
Follow Rachel Lippmann on Twitter: @rlippmann
