St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay has named Charlene Deeken as Public Safety Director for the City of St. Louis.

Deeken has served as Deputy Public Safety Director since 2007.

Deeken began her career with the City in 1976.  She has served in the Department of Personnel, Public Safety, and the Mayor’s Office during the Schoemehl Administration.  During her tenure with the City, she also worked in the City’s Health and Parks departments before re-joining the Department of Public Safety in 1999 as an Executive Assistant.

 Deeken replaces Eddie Roth, who has joined Mayor Slay’s staff as Director of Operations.

The 11th Annual Backstoppers Fundraiser will be held on Sunday, October 21, from 11am-5pm.

It takes place at Epiphany of Our Lord Church located at 6596 Smiley Avenue at Ivanhoe.

There will be a raffle and silent auction. Pork steak dinner with sides, hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage and more will be available.

All proceeds will be donated to the Backstoppers.

Many people say you can't fight parking tickets from the St. Louis Treasurer's Office.

St. Louisan Josh Andrews said, "They know if they dismiss the ticket, they won't get the money."

Andrews didn't bother fighting, even though he had strong evidence.  He explained he got a ticket when "there's no meters there. There's no signs saying no parking."

If you want to fight, you have to go to the Treasurer's Office itself - to an administrative court system the Treasurer set up.  You walk inside a hearing room about the size of a closet.

Andrews added, "It's their game, you know.  If they get to set the rules, they get to take home the gold."
 
Now attorney Elkin Kistner and Treasurer's office candidate Fred Wessels have questioned whether the Treasurer's office even has the authority to impose late fees.