Mayors' League Recognizes Rock Hill's Fiscal Turnaround

St. Louis County Municipal League—a collection of mayors and other city officials from the county—recognized outstanding work among their own Friday at the Viking Center in Sunset Hills and installed new officers for the year. 

The City of Rock Hill caught the eye of the League for  For its groundbreaking approach and solutions, the city was awarded the 2011 Municipal League Innovation Award. The city worked with university graduate students and interns for nearly six years to pull out of a financial dive.

Also honored was Des Peres City Administrator Douglas Harms. Harms received the Buzz Westfall Award for his "dedicated service and accomplishments in local government," said Barbara Pierce, chief public relations officer for Hughes Communication Agency. Harms' family was all there to support him.

Webster Groves Mayor Gerry Welch and Kirkwood Mayor Arthur McDonnell were sworn in as executive board members in the Municipal League.

New League president, Oakland Mayor Paul Marti, said in his address Friday that city representatives gathered there were all "Patriots."

Marti went on to dismiss the notion of merging the county's cities, since according to surveys, he said, suburbanites were very satisfied with their lifestyles and taxes were lower than in urban areas.

County Executive Charlie Dooley was recognized by the group for attending, but was not scheduled to speak.