Police Chief Larry White's Case Against the City of Ladue is Dismissed

The biggest surprise of this month’s Ladue Council meeting unfolded seconds before the session was gaveled closed.

City Attorney John Maupin announced to the council that the wrongful employment termination lawsuit filed by former Chief Larry White had been dismissed in the circuit court of St. Louis County.

Ironically, the court sited the case of Gene Kunzie vs the City of Olivette. Several years ago, Kunzie, public works director for the neighboring city to the north filed a wrongful termination suit, only to have that case be thrown out by the courts.

In 2010, former chief White claimed that he lost his job for refusing to crack down on black drivers and for disobeying requests that he look the other way when Ladue residents appeared to be driving drunk or breaking other laws.

Irene Holmes was mayor of Ladue at that time. White alleged Mayor Holmes urged him to write lots of tickets but not against residents of Ladue. White contended then the mayor wanted to make up for a substantial loss in revenue with the portion of Highway 64/40 in Ladue being shutdown and rebuilt.

The decision to terminate the suit was ordered by Judge Barbara W. Wallace. The judge cited sovereign immunity as the cause for dismissal.

There was one small bit of unfinished business concerning the law suit and Maupin reviewed that with his council in executive session.

The regular meeting opened with the swearing in of three returning council members: Charlie Hiemenz, Hal Burroughs and Walter Stern. All three won ward races uncontested.

Joe White, head trustee and resident of 27 Picardy Lane petitioned the council to honor patriotism by erecting a 35-foot flag pole in Rhodes Park. White wants to see the 
Stars Spangled Banner fly over the park either on Flag Day or the Fourth of July. He estimates the costs to be in the neighborhood of $3,000 for the project. “We erected one just like it on Picardy Lane. I am the head of trustees, so we didn’t have any problems getting it approved,” said White.

The council determined that solar panels could be used to illuminate the flag 365 days a year.

Police Chief Rich Wooten announced that Lt. Bill Baker, a 31-year-veteran of the department was going to retire On April 27. At the same time, Mayor Anthony Bommarito praised Public Works Director Dennis Bible for his 42 years of loyal service to the city. Bible first began his career in the fire department. Bible is not retiring at this time.

The city approved a contract increase of $12,514.75 to Chiodini Architects for additional work related to the firehouse study. Ladue is proposing to build two new fire houses in the community.

The council also unanimously approved liquor license renewals for Gourmet to Go, 9828 Clayton Rd.; the Racquet Club, 1600 Log Cabin Dr.; L’Ecole Culinaire, Ltd., 9807 S. Forty Dr.; and the St. Louis Country Club, 400 Barnes Rd.