The most persistent rumor in St. Louis city politics concerns the likelihood of Ron Leggett, the longtime collector of revenue, running again. The position of collector of revenue is one of the eight so-called county elected offices in the city. Like most of these jobs, it’s not really a job at all.
The reoccurring rumor is that Leggett, who has been collector since 1978, is gravely ill and will either quit before his term expires or will choose not to seek reelection. The rumor assumes that there is some illness that prevents Leggett from working. The problem is that there is no illness that can prevent the collector of revenue from working, because there is no work for the collector to perform. Why would Leggett feel any need to retire from a job that doesn’t involve any work?
The perennial rumor does, however, give politicos something to jaw about. There is always speculation among those politicians who see the collector’s office as a chance to become a citywide elected official. This year’s rumor has Leggett resigning, and Greg FX Daly, who is currently the city license collector, being appointed collector of revenue. A deal would then be struck to support the appointment of either 19th Ward Alderman Mike McMillan or 27th Ward Alderman Greg Carter as license collector. This “deal” would increase the number of black citywide elected officials from two to three.
But, alas, Leggett always refuses to cooperate. He won’t quit and refuses to die. So all of those junior elected officials end up sitting and waiting for someone to give them something – a political entitlement – rather than organizing a political effort to gain a citywide office.