Commentary
By Judge Michael Carter
Missouri Senate President
Tom Dempsey resigned as the leader of the State Senate and from the Missouri
General Assembly in a heartfelt and moving statement released July 31st. It came as a surprise to many who have become
accustomed to following the political career trajectories of those in Jefferson
City, but not to those in St. Charles who knew that Senator Dempsey remained,
at heart, a man of the people. There are
those who cheered him on as he rose from a City Councilman, to State
Representative, then the State Senate, and the President of that powerful
elected body. Many, like myself,
expected Senator Dempsey to be Governor one day. He had the talent and the skill to have made
that jump, but he also had something sorely lacking in too many elected public
officials today. Tom Dempsey had a sense
of perspective.
His two page letter of
resignation explains eloquently the trade off of career and family; the
lost time he had to spend away from his wife and family five months out of the
year when the legislature was in session.
He talks about the loss of his mother two years before and how it moved
him to reassess his priorities.
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| Senator Tom Dempsey |
Senator Tom Dempsey was
exceptionally nice each time I dealt with him.
He was responsive and shared my views on the abuse of red light
cameras. Listened to my concerns about
the special interest restrictions the legislature had placed on the ability of
local governments to dismiss a police chief when deemed necessary. Even on the controversial Senate Bill 5, which I felt went too far in stripping municipal judges of some discretion in
sentencing, Senator Dempsey and his office listened to my suggestions and kept
me well informed of the bill's progress.
Most everyone I have spoken with in Jefferson City has had similar
experiences dealing with Senator Dempsey.
It also seemed to me that
Senator Dempsey, like old St. Charles, was from a simpler, more honest, and
straightforward time. The harsh slash
and burn political climate and gamesmanship that poisons progress was not his
style. Tom Dempsey liked to get things
done and didn't feel you had to end up hating someone you simply disagreed with
over an issue. His letter of resignation
proudly lists many of the things he was able to help bring about as President
of the State Senate, despite the bitter atmosphere of government today.
So for his 17 years of
public service, we thank State Senator Tom Dempsey and wish him well in his new
career. We also thank him for not
letting Jefferson City change who he is and we say welcome home Senator.
