2 weeks Ago By Dan Schunks
Current Desloge Mayor Pete Pasternak will be running for re-election. He is a graduate of North County and attended St. Louis Community College for his Associate of Arts degree and Arkansas State University for his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees.
He has three children: Pearl, Paris, and Ambrose who all attend NC. Pasternak has worked as an educator for 16 years and is an active member of his church. He is a part of the Missouri Municipal League and Desloge Chamber of Commerce, and is a Certified Municipal Official in Missouri.
Before becoming mayor, he was an alderman.Pete PasternakPasternak said, “During my term, Desloge has made significant progress and I want to see that progress continue. Public safety is a top priority for me, and we’ve taken significant steps to improve public safety by adding a full-time fire chief, purchasing a ladder truck for the fire department, and upgrading our firehouse.
Our police department is also stronger with the new tools and equipment funded by grants, including a drone that will soon arrive. Desloge’s economy is stronger with new businesses coming into Desloge like Aldi. One of the biggest projects started during my term is the sewer line expansion project on the Eastern Outer Road.
This is partially funded with state funds and once completed, it will open up new business opportunities outside the traditional commercial areas of Desloge. The city will be more accessible for everyone with ADA-compliant sidewalks that are coming to Desloge Drive and Oak Street, which are thanks to two MODOT TAP Grants.“The Desloge Park has new lighting and the city has a new street sweeper which keeps our streets and curbs clean and drains clear.
Desloge has also introduced a new resident-friendly program to replace or repair old sidewalks. City operations are being modernized. Desloge’s outdated website will soon be upgraded, and agendas are now posted online.
There are a lot of good things going on in Desloge that have happened during my term, and I am thrilled to be able to have a part in it and I want to see that progress continue, which is why I am asking for another term as mayor.”He continued by saying, “Even with all of the progress and improvements, I know there’s still a lot of work to be done. Numerous residents face drainage issues throughout the city, and we need to find solutions.
We have finally seen some progress here because I was recently able to approve an ordinance to conduct an engineering study in the Brim Street area to find out how the issue can be addressed. Something similar needs to be done around the Chadrick Drive and firehouse area and other areas in the city though. I would like to see the trash fee addressed because of the way it was implemented in 2021 while still collecting the 1% sales tax from 1976 that was supposed to go toward free trash pickup for Desloge residents.
“I believe the city treasurer position needs to be filled. The treasurer position is required by city code. This is not an optional position, but mandatory.
At this time a majority of the Board has not acted on my request to fill the position despite the requirement. This is an essential position for appropriate oversight, especially since Desloge has a $7+ million budget and over $10 million of public funds in the band.”.
