Alderman Brandon Bosley delivers his farewell speech on Monday during the last day of the 2022-23 session of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen at City Hall.
For the first time in 46 years, a member of the Bosley family will not be at City Hall.
Sixteen St. Louis aldermen served their final day on the board on Monday. Ten chose not to seek reelection as the board shrank from 28 members. Brandon Bosley was one of six who failed to win either the March primary or April general elections (a 17th, Christine Ingrassia, left office in February to work for the board president, Megan Green).
Freeman Bosley Sr. served the city’s old 3rd Ward for 40 years, from 1977 to 2017. The younger Bosley said the six years he spent continuing his father’s legacy were more than he could have asked for.
“I’m hurting on the inside,” Brandon Bosley said Monday through tears. “It’s not because of the job, it’s because I love what I do. I actually love helping my people. To the next person that’s coming up, please treat our people right. I know you will.”
Former state Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, who kept Bosley out of the general election for the new 14th Ward by 60 votes, will represent part of the old ward, along with Laura Keys of the new 11th Ward.
Colleagues praised Bosley as a hard worker who always kept young folks in mind. But he has been controversial during his last year in office. He voted against $1.6 million to help cover the cost of COVID tests and vaccines for lower-income individuals, saying his ward was more concerned about bullets than the virus. And late last year, he accused a woman of attempted carjacking; prosecutors later dropped charges, reportedly after Bosley did a second interview with police.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderman Brandon Bosley (Ward 3) weeps as he gives his farewell remarks on Monday during the Board of Aldermen's last day of the 2022-23 legislative session at City Hall.
The results of the municipal elections put more progressive-leaning politicians firmly in control of the agenda at City Hall, a transformation that began in earnest in 2017. That year marked the largest freshman class in 26 years and included outgoing Alderman Dan Guenther.
“While that was a lot of knowledge of the way things worked, it was time for a new generational shift for policy and for political leaders in St. Louis,” Guenther said. “Working for north St. Louis as well as south St. Louis was a driving force for a lot of us that got into politics.”
But other departing aldermen, like Marlene Davis, are skeptical of the need for additional change.
“I hope that we reflect as we move forward, it’s not just about coming up with something new,” she said. “Something new isn’t always right.”
New aldermen will be sworn in Tuesday. The main order of business is the rules that govern how the board works. Board President Megan Green has advanced a series of changes that put more focus on internal democracy than seniority.
Photos from the last day of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen's 2022-23 legislative session by photojournalist Brian Munoz:
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
President Megan Green addresses the Board of Aldermen’s 28 members for the last time before they’re consolidated to a body of 14 on Monday during the board's last day of legislative work for the 2022-23 year at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderman Shane Cohn (Ward 25) introduces courtesy resolutions on Monday during the St. Louis Board of Aldermen’s last day of legislative work at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderwoman Marlene Davis (Ward 19) reacts while speaking about Alderman Jack Coatar (Ward 7) on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderman Jack Coatar (Ward 7) smiles as he is lauded by Alderwoman Marlene Davis (Ward 19) on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer (Ward 13) listens in to recognitions on Monday during the St. Louis Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderman James Page (Ward 5) speaks on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Aldermanic President Megan Green listens to courtesy resolutions on Monday during the St. Louis Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderwoman Carol Howard (Ward 14) leans back while listening to her colleagues be acknowledged for their service on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Incoming St. Louis Board of Aldermen members Daniela Velazquez (Ward 6), upper right, Rasheen Aldridge (Ward 14), lower center, and Michael Browning (Ward 9), second from left, listen into the board’s last day of legislative work for the 2022-23 session on Monday at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderwoman Sharon Tyus (Ward 1) speaks about racism during her time on the board on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderman Brandon Bosley (Ward 3) leans in as Alderwoman Sharon Tyus (Ward 1) whispers in his ear on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderman Bill Stephens (Ward 12) looks over his notes on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderman Shane Cohn (Ward 25) speaks to Alderwoman Cara Spencer (Ward 20) on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderman Jesse Todd (Ward 18) listens in to remarks by his colleagues on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Alderman Bret Narayan (Ward 24) looks over to a colleague on Monday during the Board of Aldermen’s Sine Die at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Ora Hegge, an associate clerk for the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, counts desks on Monday after the Board of Aldermen’s last day of session at City Hall. The day marks the last time the board of 28 members will ever meet as its consolidated down to 14.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
A sign designated a desk to be removed on Monday after the Board of Aldermen’s last day of session at City Hall. The day marks the last time the board of 28 members will ever meet as it is consolidated down to 14.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Fry Wagner Moving Company movers Martin Molina, left, and Claudio Justo remove a desk from the Board of Aldermen chambers on Monday at City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
A desk where Alderwoman Laura Keys, Aldermen Terry Kennedy and Samuel Kennedy once sat on Monday City Hall.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
A stack of leftover name plates from outgoing members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen sit in a bin on Monday at City Hall.
