CLAYTON, MISSOURI (KMOX) - The St. Louis County Council's Special Committee on Ethics held a meeting Thursday afternoon, hearing back about a request for County Executive Sam Page's employment records for his part-time job as an anesthesiologist.
Western Anesthesiology Associates said, through a letter from their attorney, they would not be providing Dr. Page's work records as requested by the committee. They also did not acknowledge that Dr. Page works for them. Mercy Hospital was also asked about work records, but did not respond to the request. However, they had previously stated publicly that Dr. Page is not an employee of the hospital.
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At issue is whether the County Executive is violating the County Charter's requirement to “devote his entire time to the duties of his office.” The Thursday meeting had several former leaders who worked under that provision of the Charter testify to how they saw the requirement.
Gene McNary, who spent more time as St. Louis County Executive than anyone, told the committee, "during my time as Chairman of the Charter Commission, there was never any discussion at that time. It was taken for granted, it's a full-time job."
Former County Prosecutor Robert McCullough also joined others in saying he never considered holding any other position while in office. However, he noted one council member, who he did not name, who was removed from office by a judge after being found to hold an outside job that conflicted with official duties.
The Ethics Committee members did not imply they would pursue that action. Chairman Mark Harder and members Tim Fitch and Rita Days (Sholanda Webb was absent) wondered if they should subpoena the work records for Dr. Page. After an extensive closed session with the County Counsel, they returned only to adjourn. KMOX was told they may consider asking the full County Council to issue subpoenas, but that's being worked on. The regular Council meeting won't be held for another two weeks, giving them time to work that out.
Fitch, who has been pushing for answers about this outside job from Dr. Page, says he doesn't know what's behind the need to hold another job. The Council was told there is no requirement to work for Dr. Page to maintain his medical license, only required ongoing education and training.
Fitch saying, "Is it money? I don't know, we did hear him say it was helpful during the pandemic to still have contact within the hospital system. We heard his say that, at least, to the media. I would argue we've heard he did it before the pandemic."
The bottom line is that Dr. Page's work as a part-time anesthesiologist is forging into new territory for a leader. No one else recalled considering holding any other kind of job while holding a position that could take more hours than are available in a day.
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