Sam Page named interim replacement for Stenger; Councilwoman thinks vote was pre-decided

meeting to decide interim county executive
Photo credit Michael Calhoun/KMOX

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — The void left by Steve Stenger's resignation was filled from within, as Council members picked their chairman Sam Page as interim St. Louis County Executive, Monday night. 

But the move didn't get a hundred percent approval. Councilwoman Hazel Erby was upset that the vote by her colleagues seemed pre-decided. 

"The now County Executive had been working behind the scenes," Erby says. "I just hope we don't have what we had in the past and that's what I saw this week. I saw proimses and commitments and you have to be careful about the promises you make. 

"I just ask you all to stay woke and pay attention. You'll see."

She also protested the lack of public comment before the decision. 

“We will be open and transparent.”Co Exec @DrSamPage says he’ll listen to employees and their suggestions. He promises to clean up #STL County government.“We can only change things if we work together.”@kmoxnews

— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) April 29, 2019

Page didn't answer questions, but gave a statement promising a change in tone for St. Louis County. 

"County employees have always felt ignored, looked down upon, ordered around for political gain at the expense of their expertise and wisdom. Those practices are over," Page says. "I want to assure everyone in St. Louis County from the very beginning that we will have absolutely no tolerance for pay-to-play politics."

BREAKING: @DrSamPage wins roll call vote to become #STL County Executive. @kmoxnews pic.twitter.com/y8dMtc9Bgs

— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) April 29, 2019

Some disruption from the audience as @DrSamPage nomination passes voice vote for become interim County Executive. Hazel Erby is only ‘no’ vote. @kmoxnews pic.twitter.com/nHWWY75vkA

— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) April 29, 2019

Lot of people want to know who the next #STL County Executive is going to be. #packedhouse @KMOXNews pic.twitter.com/BUu3vzymVT

— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) April 29, 2019

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