I, Gary Wiegert, was president of the SLPOA for 6 years and an Executive Board Member from 1997-2009. Over that time I won 7 elections. I've always supported state control of the St. Louis Police Department.
Jeff Roorda was fired from the Arnold Police department and was then elected as a state representative from Jefferson County from 2006-2010. Governor Nixon appointed him to a homeland security job with the state of Missouri. He resigned that job after serving for 1 month and was hired by the SLPOA as a business manager.
In 2008 Governor Nixon addressed in person the SLPOA Executive Board and sought the endorsement, which was based on the mutual support of continued state control of the St. Louis Police Department. Based on Governor Nixon's continued support of state control he was endorsed by the SLPOA and won his election.
In July, Jeff Roorda, SLPOA president Tom Walsh, and SLPOA vice president Joe Steiger met with Governor Nixon and they all flip flopped on their support of state control of the St. Louis P.D. During the special session Governor Nixon placed local control on the agenda at the request of Jeff Roorda even though Governor Nixon announced the special session was called in regards to jobs for Missourians.
I was the only lobbyist to testify against local control and helped defeat it in the special session against the SLPOA, Mayor Slay, Governor Nixon, Jeff Roorda and Rex Sinquefield money. Tea Party senators came to the rescue and defeated the bill in the special session.
During the regular legislative session the SLPOA was against local control. The SLPOA membership never supported local control or was not made aware when 19 Executive Board members switched their position on local control. In July, Nixon appointed Tom Irwin to to the Police Board and the SLPOA and the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners signed a collective bargaining agreement in exchange for local control. The local control bill then died in the special session.
The membership of the SLPOA has never been involved in these deals and they do not support local control. Because I've been an outspoken critic of local control, the SLPOA's Executive Board wants to kick me out of the union. Here's my email exchange with David Bonenberger, President of the SLPOA:
From: Wiegert, Gary R
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 2:12 AM
To: Bonenberger, David J
Subject: FW: Decision of Trial Board
Sgt. Bonenberger,
The SLPOA by-laws were violated when I was improperly expelled from the SLPOA. I was not notified of the date or time of the hearing or allowed to defend myself against the accusations made by SLPOA employee Jeff Roorda.
The secretive decisions made by the Executive Board are consistent with the improper actions of the E-Board when they invalidated an SLPOA election in an attempt to deny the will of the membership and disallow your election victory for President of the SLPOA. The E-Board then continued the fraud when they along with Jeff Roorda blamed a 34 year employee, Patricia Heisner with fixing the election. She was then improperly terminated with no due process and the E-Board awarded Jeff Roorda a five year $300,000.00 contract with a clause that he cannot be fired. I suggest you stop allowing alcoholic beverages to be served at the Executive Board meetings.
The most egregious act of the Executive Board was their flip flop and support of local control. The E-board did not seek out the membership’s input on this issue. I fought and helped defeat local control in the legislature, even though Jeff Roorda and Rex Sinquefield money supported local control. The fact Jeff Roorda signed the initiative petition is outrageous and he should be terminated from the SLPOA.
I distrust any actions or charge brought forward by Jeff Roorda, as he is a proven liar and was fired, when he was a police officer, by the Arnold Police Department for lying twice on two different occasions on police reports. This can be verified on Case.net.
In conclusion Sgt. Bonenberger, I request a vote be sent to the membership and conducted by an accredited accounting firm in regards to my inappropriate termination. I have included assorted units with this e-mail so that the E-Board would begin making decisions openly and informing the membership. This missive also serves as my notification and my appeal with the SLPOA Recording Secretary, who is privy to this E-Mail. This appeal is done in accordance with the by-laws of the SLPOA. I also wish the charges against me be made public, along with who on the E-Board voted in favor of local control and when it was decided that the SLPOA supports local control.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Bonenberger, David J
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 11:37 AM
To: Wiegert, Gary R
Subject: Decision of Trial Board
Sir,
In compliance with the SLPOA By-Laws, Article One, Section 7C. The Executive Board, serving as a Trial Board, convened on April 11, 2012, at 16:15 hours. This Trial Board was convened at the SLPOA hall, 3710 Hampton, St. Louis, Missouri.
David Rudolph, Chairman of the Investigating Committee, presented the case in support of the charges against you. Upon completion of the case the Executive Board determined, during closed session, that you have been found guilty of the acts alleged and that you are hereby expelled from the SLPOA membership immediately.
Article One, Section 7J, reads “If the charged member disagrees with the Executive Board’s determination, he/she may appeal said determination to the general membership by filing a written notice of appeal with the Recording Secretary within seven (7) days after the Executive Board’s determination is received by the charged member. The appeal shall be announced and considered at the next general membership meeting, a quorum not required. A majority vote of those present and voting at said general membership meeting shall be necessary to defer the decision of the Trial Board and cause the decision to be submitted to the general membership for ratification by a majority of those voting in a membership referendum on the issue. Otherwise, the Executive Board’s decision shall be final.”
This electronic correspondence shall serve as additional notification to the determination that has been sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to your address of record.
Fraternally,
David Bonenberger
President--SLPOA
The local news also carried the news that he was corrupt and unethical. Many of his colleagues were not interested in media confrontation.
Posted by: Elephant conservation program | 05/21/2012 at 01:22 AM