PUB DEF

When Gregory F.X. Daly is sworn in this morning as St. Louis’ new Collector of Revenue, it will be the first time in nearly 60 years that someone has risen to that office by virtue of an election.

Daly’s office sends the following history lesson:

In 1950, Del Bannister was elected as Collector of Revenue as a Democrat. Bannister left office and Midge Berra was appointed as Collector to fill Bannister’s unexpired term. Midge Berra died in office, and Jack Travers was then appointed to fill that unexpired term. Jack Travers left office to take a corporate position and was replaced by the final appointee Ron Leggett, who held the position for more than 30 years. While each of these esteemed officials won subsequent elections, Daly will be the first Collector in 57 years to obtain the position for the first time through an election.

Daly was elected to Collector of Revenue on November 7, 2006. State law requires the Collector to take office in March, rather than January when the other elected officials are sworn in. He will be sworn in by the Honorable Jack Garvey, Circuit Court Judge for the City of St. Louis. Mayor Francis Slay is scheduled to make remarks on behalf of the city, and other city officials are expected to attend.

The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. today (March 12) in City Hall, Room 208 (The Kennedy Room).

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