BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS, Mo. — "The citizens should be the top priority, " Missouri State Rep. Marlene Terry (D) said.
Since Friday, none of the 10,000 people who live in Bellefontaine Neighbors in north St. Louis County have been able to go to City Hall for any services.
"I think that's a shame and a whole lot of sadness for people," said Felecia Gray, who's lived in Bellefontaine Neighbors for three years.
City Hall is still closed and all non-essential employees are not on the job.
"I'm just hearing about this today, and yes, it's very concerning," Gray said.
The city workers walked off the job with several demands including pay raises and a better work environment.
"This is a crucial issue for the citizens of Bellefontaine Neighbors," Terry said.
According to a letter still posted on the front door at City Hall, in the past several months, city departments such as law enforcement, public works, courts and parks and recreation have become "increasingly understaffed with the remaining employees stretched thing trying to cover the gaps."
Terry lives in and represents District 66, which includes Bellefontaine Neighbors.
"I wholeheartedly want the citizens to know that I support them and I apologize for what's going on because our community does not deserve to go through something like this. I support the workers, and I support the mayor," Terry said.
Terry said ever since Mayor Dinah Tatman was elected more than a year ago, she has been at offs with several members of the Board of Aldermen.
"This has been going on for a long time. This is not about personal agendas. This is about the citizens. The citizens voted the mayor in, and so, therefore, the alder people are there to legislate and to help her with the issues of Bellefontaine Neighbors," Terry said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said, "We recently received a whistleblower complaint detailing some of the current issues in Bellefontaine Neighbors. We take these complaints very seriously and are currently reviewing the submitted information to determine if there are any steps our office can take to help ensure accountability and transparency for taxpayers."
"It would be shameful if the state had to step in," Terry said. "That is something that we want to avoid. Hopefully, the board will come together and resolve the walkout."
For the past two days, 5 On Your Side has reached out to several of Bellefontaine Neighbors' alderpersons for reaction to the ongoing walkout, but so far, we've not heard back.
Tuesday, 5 On Your Side was told Mayor Tatman is out of town and is expected to return on Wednesday.
The Board of Aldermen is expected to have a closed meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.