The political tussle over the appointment of the new St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney continues as County Executive Sam Page intends to install his choice, bypassing the County Council. According to STLtoday, Page's spokesperson, Doug Moore, has stated that while the appointment of Cort VanOstran requires council approval to be permanent, Page can still name VanOstran as an "acting" prosecutor even if the council disapproves, or simply doesn't act on the appointment.
This move has come under scrutiny as council members argue the process as laid out in the county charter must be honored. "The rules of engagement are set forth in our charter and are clear, and they must be followed, whether it is convenient for the County Executive, or not," Shalonda Webb, Chair of the St. Louis County Council, told First Alert 4. District 7 Councilman Mark Harder reaffirmed this stance, stating, “A vacancy in the office of Prosecuting Attorney shall be filled by the County Executive, subject to confirmation by the Council. I will repeat: confirmation by the Council.”
Further complicating the matter, a legal case over the appointment is set to be heard by St. Louis County Circuit Judge Brian May next Thursday. The Spectrum Local News reports that state law and the county charter give Page the authority to make the appointment, while another clause in the state law could potentially introduce a state-appointed candidate who does not require council approval or the necessity to belong to the same political party as the predecessor.
The state has reviewed six applications for the role and has engaged with other potential candidates. However, asked for an update on the interview process or a decision timeline, a spokesperson for Governor Parson's office stated he had "no new updates Tuesday," leaving the situation at a standstill. The impending court hearing adds another layer of anticipation to the unfolding narrative of how Wesley Bell's successor will be decided amid legal interpretations and political maneuverings, detailed by the Spectrum Local News.
