Charity Donations, Pay Increases Discussed During Aldermanic Meeting

Of the more than 100 people who attended a special meeting of the Brentwood Board of Aldermen on Tuesday, 14 spoke during the public comment period. None were happy about the present state of affairs in the city.

In fact, many residents gave Mayor Pat Kelly and the city’s aldermen what could be construed as a cold shoulder. On the agenda that night? The , and its related policies and procedures. 

Residents filled the chairs in the council chambers, stood along the aisles and spilled into the hallway. Purportedly, many came to the meeting after having received an invitational flier from Maureen Saunders, who prompting the audit, and who is now an .

Residents’ remarks ranged from requests that the current aldermen not seek re-election to a “where’s the money” mantra from a Brentwood businessman.

Jeff Harrison spoke first and talked about “a complete lack of confidence and trust in city government.”

Rick Bauer wanted to know if the city planned to retrieve funds paid to some .

Karen Smith wondered why the city couldn’t detect its own problems. “We don’t fix things because they’re wrong. We fix things because somebody finds out about them,” she said.

Among many other points, Smith also queried Kelly about Brentwood’s attendance at the annual sports writers’ dinner, which was paid with city dollars.

"It was our understanding that donated the tickets,” Kelly said. They did not, and that misunderstanding continued for years, Kelly said.

His remark elicited guffaws from the audience and was brought up later by another resident.

Saunders took aim at Kelly's comments. Didn’t anyone from city hall ever contact or thank Gene-Del Printing for their donation all these years, she asked. Such an action would have prompted a response and help right a wrong much earlier.

Marion Bradford wanted to know if the auditors' information could be placed on the website. It will be.

Ed Wright Jr., a former alderman and son of the late Brentwood Mayor Edward T. Wright, spoke about the potential for malfeasance.

“Local government has as much potential for corruption or for misdealings as any level of government. I am not saying you are corrupt,” said Wright to the mayor and board. “I am saying that you have to find the strength to serve these good people and to serve our city. To do the right thing.”

“The right thing is to do this audit and to make sure that they look at everything,” Wright said. His remarks prompted applause.

Jeanne Suntrup took issue with City Administrator . “I haven’t received a raise in five years,” Suntrup said.

“I still felt that residents were frustrated,” said Saunders after the meeting. “They still felt that it was difficult to get answers but I do think they are encouraged that at least we are taking a step forward with the audit.”

“I just hope we can right this ship in time for our centennial,” said Barry Williams, who has called Brentwood his home for 52 years. That occurs in seven years, he said.