The interim mayor of Kinloch tried to lockdown the city hall and police department, at 5650 Jones Ave., today to address “corrupt practices” and “restore citizens’ trust” to the government.
Interim mayor and alderwoman Theda Wilson said that the city manager and other city officials have been uncooperative in providing documents and financial information to the aldermen.
Today, Wilson planned to call an emergency meeting with the board to address these concerns but was unsuccessful.
“There have been a lot of violations,” Wilson said. “Money is going places where I have no knowledge of.”
In October, St. Louis County Circuit Judge Steven Goldman ruled that former mayor Darren Small had forfeited his office when he pleaded guilty to a felony count of failing to pay child support. The Kinloch Board of Aldermen then appointed alderwoman Theda Wilson to serve as interim mayor.
However, City Manager Justine Blue said that Wilson was voted out of her office on Dec. 17.
“Theda Wilson is not the interim mayor,” Blue said. “She just doesn’t want to accept that.”
Wilson said Blue, who is Small’s cousin, called an emergency meeting soon after Wilson complained that the city’s police department “ignores her calls for service.”
In a phone interview with the St. Louis American, Alderwoman Evelyn Carter said that Kinloch has another mayor and a “president” that replaced Wilson. When the American asked who those people were, she said residents have to come to the Board of Aldermen meetings to find out. She refused to provide names.
Today, the American submitted a Sunshine Law inquiry to the city manager requesting the board minutes from Dec. 17, when those decisions were made. The city has not yet responded. City Attorney James Robinson also declined comment today. Robinson is legally representing Small, who has appealed Judge Goldman’s order to the Missouri Court of Appeals.
Wilson said that Small is still using a city vehicle. Wilson is concerned that Blue has refused to provide information about Small’s vehicle and other city expenses to the board, she said. Blue declined comment on Wilson’s accusations.
“This is not shining a positive light on the city,” Wilson said. “My goal is to do what is proper.”