Bellefontaine Neighbors residents demand transparency from Board of Aldermen

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Residents in Bellefontaine Neighbors are demanding answers following an unexpected shift in power this week.

Less than a week ago, the Board of Aldermen accepted Mayor Dinah Tatman’s resignation, despite her stating she was not stepping down. Now, there is a new acting mayor after Tatman officially submitted a letter of resignation Thursday morning.

Residents went down to City Hall, only to be met with locked doors. They were told that Board President James Thomas is now acting mayor in addition to the city having a new attorney, Sam Alton.

Residents are now questioning proper protocol regarding these sudden changes.

"So the citizens vote for one person, and the situation has escalated to the legislative branch; it has taken over the executive branch," one resident, Dr. Miranda Avant-Elliott, said. "Well, unfortunately, they cannot just not appoint someone without going through the formal process of establishing the ordinance."

Their frustration grows as they say the process was unclear and their voices aren’t being heard.

“(Tatman) was very intelligent and could potentially do the job well in comparison to the individuals who are now taking over. So, to leave it to the hands of those I'm not confident are equipped for day-to-day operations of the city based on education, expertise, knowledge—I feel like they struggled with their knowledge as alderpersons,” Avant-Elliott said.

Some city employees say they’re afraid to speak out. With no meeting minutes available online, many are left in the dark on what’s happening in their own government.

Tatman tells FOX 2 she never officially resigned until Thursday, but felt she couldn't continue fighting without enough support. She released the following statement, which read:

"I can't continue fighting and trying to govern when I don't have enough support in the legislative body. I won't continue to take responsibility for everything that hasn't been done. I've done my best, and I asked for help."

We reached out to new acting Mayor James Thomas and City Attorney Sam Alton for comment, but as of Thursday night, they have not responded.