Nov 15, 2024 Local News
Desloge, Mo. (KFMO) - A fiery meeting of the Desloge Board of Alderman Monday night has led to the passing of a resolution concerning the removal of Mayor Peter Pasternak from office.
A full crowd gathered within Desloge City Hall, where discussion was largely focused on impeachment proceedings.
Conflicts frequently arose among members of the Board and the Mayor, starting with Pasternak asking the Board if they had the authority to pass an ordinance, hire an attorney, and how much proceedings would cost the city. Alderwoman Kelly Harris clashed with the mayor.
A motion to read the resolution was passed by the Board, which provides notice to Pasternak of the charges and specifications presented in Articles of Impeachment. In total, eight charges have been brought against Pasternak, including:
1) Driving through the city while in an intoxicated condition, looking for possible storm damage and failure to use the proper procedures for survey and notification of storm damage
2) Routinely demonstrating an animosity toward and targeting specific staff members, including the Director and Department of Public Works, City Administrator and City Clerk
3) Demonstrating disdain for decorum in certain instances, thereby treating members of the public differently, and a similar disdain for other elected and appointed officials
4) Does not appropriately respond to or pass along information about citizen complaints to city employees and officials
5) Divulged confidential information to members of the public without authorization from the Board of Aldermen
6) Provided false information to the public regarding the City’s fees for trash service.
7) Speaking, while not authorized, to the press concerning city business
8) Seeking a significant raise for Misty Boyer in July 2023, bringing Ms. Boyer into a closed session of the Board of Aldermen without the permission of the board so she could ask for the raise, then informing Ms. Boyer of what happened in closed session after she had left, specifically that the Board did not approve a raise for her
The resolution passed 5-1, with Aldermen Mark Bonney, John Wigger, Linda Moore, Travis Crews, and Kelly Harris voting in favor. Alderwoman Debra Kester voted against. Pasternak used time during his Mayor Report to speak in his defense.
The next step in impeachment proceedings is a public meeting held by the Board of Aldermen, where it will be determined whether the mayor should be removed from office, or if other disciplinary action should be taken.
That meeting will be held August 22nd at 4 p.m. A full copy of the resolution and Articles of Impeachment against Pasternak can be found here.
UPDATE 8/16/24: The date of the impeachment hearing has been changed to September 3rd at 4:30 p.m. It was changed during a special session of the Board of Aldermen on Thursday, August 15th.
