Ladue Appropriates $14,500 to Search For a New Fire Chief

Former candidate for mayor takes strong exception to this decision.

The fact is, the City of Ladue has appropriated $14,500 to the Chicago-based firm McGrath Consulting to conduct an executive search and assessment services to find a new fire chief. Previous Ladue Fire Chief Eric Hinson abruptly retired from his position several weeks ago at the age of 43. He was entitled to pension benefits from the city. Hinson is under investigation for some $500,000 missing in funds from the St. Clair, Missouri Fire Protection District. He served in dual capacities as chief in both communities. One person who strongly objected was Mary Berner, resident of Foxboro Road who was defeated in her bid to win the seat as mayor of Ladue over present chair holder Anthony Bommarito. “If they (St. Clair Fire District) are …

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Money Issues Dominate Discussions at Ladue's Council Meeting

A large number of citizens rally for sidewalks in the community.

Several issues have plunged Ladue into wrangling over the use of diminishing funds. Several citizens still believe the federal government will ride in on a white horse to fund sidewalks and other projects. Those funds have long dried up. The budget for 2012-13 was approved at the regular meeting of the city council Monday night, but not without a battle over some projects favored by Mayor Anthony Bommarito. Ward 1 Councilman John Fox took the mayor to task, insisting that $55,000 worth of appropriations be dropped from the new budget. Those funds ($30,000 for communications help, $25,000 for graphic design and $5,000 for web development) were axed by voice vote of the council. “We have the finest city in the state, but our website is not …

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Ladue Elects New Mayor

Tony Bommarito Piles Up Big Win over Newcomer Mary Berner 1,488 votes to 538 votes.

Ladue's residents have spoken loudly and clearly for another two years. Veteran council member Anthony M. "Tony" Bommarito compiled an impressive victory over his challenger, newcomer Mary Berner 1,488 votes (74 percent) to 538 votes (26 percent). This is after Berner walked to 2,000 homes in Ladue to try and change the outcome of the race. Bommarito was out of town and unavailable for comment at the conclusion of the balloting. Berner took her defeat in stride. "We had a hard fought campaign. Of course I am very disappointed with the outcome. I ran what I believed to be the best campaign for the people of Ladue. I am committed to starting tomorrow to do what I can to make things best for the city of Ladue. I was able to make a lot of good…

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One Chair Empty at Candidates' Forum

Two Days Before Election, Mary Berner Hosts Meet the Mayoral Candidates at Ladue High.

Local races are so darn hard to predict. There is no polling data to separate the front runners from the field. Nothing seems to deter upstart candidate Mary Berner, candidate for the position as Ladue’s next mayor. She’s worn out numerous pairs of shoes, knocking on some 2,000 doors and on the eve of the eve of the election she hosted a public ‘Meet the Candidates Form’ in the cafeteria at Ladue High Sunday afternoon. More than 50 residents showed up, many hoping to better understand the position of the airline pilot, turned candidate. Make no doubt about it, Berner is the outsider, seeking the position from veteran council member Anthony “Tony” Bommarito. Berner wanted this meet up to be a discussion between the two contenders. She …

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2011 Election Central

Voting Guides for the Cities of Frontenac, Ladue, Huntleigh & Crystal Lake Park.

Ladue-Frontenac Election Guide Welcome to the Ladue-Frontenac Patch 2011 Election Central Database. Here you will find links and pages detailing information for today's election. Complete information with the St. Louis County Board of Elections can be found here. Voting is well underway today. You have up until 7 p.m. to cast your ballot. Patch will feature results once all the votes have been tabulated. Local  Races Crystal Lake Park Alderman Ward 1 Chris Sanders, unopposed Alderman Ward 2 Dennis Nahnsen, unopposed City of Frontenac Mayor: Keith R. Krieg, unopposed. Alderman Ward 1 Susan Durbin, unopposed Alderman Ward 2 Vote for 1 Maria Hughes, Bud Guest Alderman Ward 3 John Levis, Unopposed Huntleigh Alderman Ward 1 William E. Cornelius…

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Ladue Mayor's Race Wraps Up April 5

Newcomer Mary Berner & Veteran Anthony "Tony" Bommarito Vie for Spot Vacated by Irene Holmes.

Indeed, the race for Mayor for the City of Ladue has been interesting. Airline pilot Mary Berner is challenging local businessman, councilman Anthony "Tony" Bommarito for the top spot in Ladue. Berner filed before the holidays and Bommarito jumped into the race when current Mayor Irene S. Holmes decided it was time to exit and move on. Both candidates feature spirited and passionate followers. Yard signs dot the entire community. Berner has used up a lot of shoe leather going door to door while Bommarito has run an old fashioned campaign with lots of phone calls and meet and greets in people's homes. The race will wrap up on Tuesday, April 5th. Ladue residents will decide if they prefer the old or the new on that date. Here's a pictoral …

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Walking Door-to-Door With Mary Berner

The outside candidate wants to walk into the mayor's position.

Mary Berner, 48, is running as the outsider in this year’s Ladue mayoral race. She faces a formidable opponent in Councilman Anthony Bommarito. She knows that. Facing tough odds is nothing new to this resident. She’s lived in Ladue nine years and that’s a “newbie” in terms of years of residence. On a beautiful spring day, she continued her walking foray into the community. She estimates she’s knocked on almost 2,000 doors. I tagged along to watch her in action. But that's OK because she gets to meet the residents firsthand. And they (the residents) get to sound off on exactly what’s on their minds. Berner is determined to literally walk her way right to the front door and into the Council Chambers at Ladue’s City Hall, just after the April…

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Mary Berner Meets Ladue, Door to Door

Mayoral candidate, an airline pilot, wearing out shoe leather to make herself known.

If you don't already know Mary Berner personally, chances are you will by the time it comes to elect a new Ladue mayor on April 5. Berner opposes Anthony Bommarito Sr. for the post to be vacated by Irene Holmes, who decided on the Jan. 18 filing deadline not to run for a fourth term. Regional wine merchant and former restaurateur Bommarito threw his hat in the ring that day; Berner had filed about a week before. For someone who has spent more than 10,000 hours aloft, Berner is a woman who seems to have her feet planted firmly on the ground. Following her chat with Ladue-Frontenac Patch, she was planning to return to her quest: To meet as many of the city's 3,600 registered voters as she could and listen to their concerns, face to face. "It…

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