Again via the mayor's website, Bryson reiterates the direct order to Chief George to make promotions:

You probably want to know what my appointment means. Here’s what I think:

My appointment gives us a chance for a fresh start. Running the City’s largest department is a killing job. Sam decided to leave for another job opportunity. I know what it is, and I congratulate him. That, however, is his announcement to make.

Sam and I have different styles, different skills, and different friends. I know that things are going to feel – and be – different in Public Safety.

Some important things, though, won’t change. Chief George must still make the promotions by Friday. That order stands – and I endorse it. If he doesn’t, he – like you, me, or anybody else who refused to obey an order and do their job — will face disciplinary action.

Once promotions get made, I am going to spend a great deal of time addressing some unrest in the Fire Department. While most of that unrest has to do with things like promotions and transfers, it keeps playing itself out in the language of race. It is, therefore, absolutely accurate to say the Fire Department, which is the most racially diverse fire department is the region, also has race problem. I am going to bring together people of good will from throughout the community to help guide me on that. And I expect to find plenty of support within the Fire Department itself. I think that relatively few St. Louis firefighters talk or feel like the angry ones you see on TV. Most firefighters like their jobs, love their City, and – again, like the rest of us – want the best for their families.

I am also going to work with Rick Frank and the Chief to get a new entry level written test as quickly as possible. We need more new firefighters than, say, building inspectors because firefighters retire relatively young. We are not going to dumb down the test just to get firefighters, because that would dumb down the Fire Department. We are going try using a different format to find out if that was the problem on the last test.

I also want to get the investigation into the use of probationary officers on private property wrapped up. That investigation has gone on for far too long. If there’s something there, let’s say so. If not, let’s get back to work.

In the Corrections Division, I am going to take a fresh look at how we supervise our contract with our outside medical provider. I am also looking forward to a plan being put together by Gene Stubblefield to add even more jail space so we can keep more criminals off of the streets for longer periods of time.

Amid the continuing promotion-test-gate, Sam Simon is leaving his perch as Director of Public Safety. According to the mayor's website:  Mayor Francis Slay plans to announce today the appointment of Charles Bryson as the City’s Director of Public Safety. Bryson will replace Sam Simon, who has resigned to pursue another opportunity.

Bryson will take over the position immediately.

Bryson most recently served as Mayor Slay’s Neighborhood Development Executive and deputy chief of staff. Prior to joining City government, Bryson worked for the Missouri Housing Development Commission, a state agency.

The Department of Public Safety is the largest city department. As director, Bryson will supervise several City agencies, including the St. Louis Fire Department, two correctional institutions, the Neighborhood Stabilization Office, and the Building Division.

Bryson is married to a St. Louis public school teacher. They have two children and live in the Penrose neighborhood.

Jo jumped on the train today with a pair of emails provided to her by Drew Pritt. 

As he indicates in her posting, he did amend his filing.  The new filing shows the Pritt expenditure as incurred rather than paid.  It also makes a similar change for his fundraising consultant, now WZW Consulting.

Mike Evans called me yesterday to explain how it all came to this.  His side of story is that Pritt aggressively pushed himself into the campaign as a volunteer, and then gave himself the title of campaign manager.  Nevertheless Evans was planning to pay Pritt $4,500 until he discovered Pritt's past.  He then decided that he couldn't spend his donors' money that way and split with Pritt.

Evans reiterated that his campaign is strong.

was Drew Pritt.

UPDATE: Received a note from Evans stating that, "Drew Pritt is no longer with my campaign and hasn't been for over a week."

Even if Steve Brown wins the 73rd, spends eight years in the House and then eight in the Senate, he'll be out of public office before, Sarah Brown, his new daughter (5lbs, 15 oz.; 19 inches) can cast a vote for him.

Congratulations Steve!

Our condolences to Curtis Royston III on the passing of his father.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday at St. Louis Cremation, 2135 Chouteau,