Crestwood City Administrator No Longer Employed by City
Fire Chief Karl Kestler will serve as acting city administrator, replacing Petree Eastman on an interim basis.
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Last Wednesday, Patch received a reader tip that Crestwood City Administrator Petree Eastman was being terminated. At that time, Mayor Jeff Schlink said, "The board has not taken any action to terminate her employment." However, in a closed session Friday afternoon, the Board of Aldermen voted 7-0 to appoint Fire Chief Karl Kestler as acting city administrator. Kestler previously served as acting city administrator.
Eastman was voted the first female city administrator last fall. She served as University City's assistant city manager from April 2007-June 2010. Since Eastman is a resident of University City, the board formally adopted an ordinance naming her city administrator.
The process to hire Eastman took approximately four months. Even though the board has never terminated Eastman, Schlink said that there is "an outstanding personnel matter that's still being worked through."
John Dough
4:28 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
So now Crestwood has two City Administrators one 'acting' and one 'not acting' (??)....
Gloria Nickerson
9:29 am on Saturday, March 24, 2012
I am really curious as to what this is about. Does it have anything to do with her residing in U. City? Does it have anything to do with the ICMA issues aftermath? This is very unfortunate.
Alyssa Stahr
9:56 am on Saturday, March 24, 2012
We are still investigating the matter and hope to hear a comment from either side soon!
crestwood resident
9:26 pm on Saturday, March 24, 2012
Really ? Are you kidding me? Finally based on her newsletter articles someone that was bringing some life and creativity and new ideas to Crestwood if this was done unethically I hope the truth comes out - politics make me sick -
John Dough
12:44 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012
The above article says she has not been terminated by the board of Aldermen..
Does that mean ...
A. She has resigned and has reached a settlement with the City of Crestwood?.
B. She is still being payed her $98,000 a year salary until the out standing "personnel matter is resolved.?
C.She is still negotiating a settlement of the balance her 18 month contract?
D. None of the above.
Alyssa Stahr
12:58 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012
Mr. Dough,
We have received no comment so far regarding your questions. From what I am hearing she has resigned and is no longer a city employee. City Attorney Robert Golterman anticipates additional information to be available in the future.
John Dough
1:12 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012
Thanks for the clarification Alyssa.
I wish Ms. Eastman well in her future endevors.