CLAYTON — Two days after threatening to sue St. Louis County for shutting down his Chesterfield restaurant, Benjamin Brown got a Facebook message wishing him a happy birthday.
It was from , a prominent Democratic fundraiser who works with political consultant and for County Executive Sam Page’s campaign.
Bingaman offered something that many groups or individuals might envy: a meeting with the county executive himself. Page has said that he doesn’t have time to meet with everyone who seeks access to him.
Brown’s restaurant, , was one of five shut down last week by the Page administration for violating a public health order by serving customers in its dining room and ignoring three letters from the county ordering it to comply with the county’s Nov. 17 order restricting indoor dining, gatherings of more than 10 people and other activities. Health officials say indoor dining, which requires the removal of face masks, poses an elevated risk of spreading the coronavirus.
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From the start, Brown has been arguably the business community’s most vocal opponent of Page, hosting conservative lawmakers at a rally last week that featured photos of Page with a Hitler-like mustache drawn in. Satchmo’s is also one of dozens of restaurants that sued the county seeking to declare the health order invalid.
In a letter late last week, Brown said he thought the county’s action was unlawful and demanded the county lift the suspension. Brown wrote that his restaurant will “not hesitate to seek damages and injunctive relief against all the individuals and entities that played a part in this unlawful activity.â€
Bingaman’s tone with Brown was friendly and understanding, but defensive of the county’s stance. She repeatedly offered to set up a meeting with the executive.
Through an intermediary, Brown shared the messages on Monday with a Post-Dispatch reporter, because he felt the contact was inappropriate and put him in an awkward position. He said Bingaman did not ask him to donate money to Page, and he did not offer to.
Just a year ago, Page’s predecessor, Steve Stenger, went to prison in a pay-to-play scandal, bringing undue attention to the interplay between political campaigns and county government.
“I didn’t know what to make of it,†Brown said. “Knowing that she’s a fundraiser, it put up a red flag. I haven’t been involved in politics that long but I know when a fundraiser reaches out to people, they are looking to raise money.â€
Bingaman told a reporter there was nothing wrong with talking to Brown. “I can’t influence any sort of policy decision on behalf of the county. … I could possibly help set up a meeting and get him set up with the right people. I reached out to someone in the county and that was all I could do.
“Whatever they do on the county side, they take it from there. It was obviously not trying to get involved politically in any pay-for-play situation. It was more or less a friendly conversation, and that was it. I have no influence on public health decisions or anything like that.â€
The Post-Dispatch asked Page whether he felt it was appropriate for his fundraiser to engage someone who is requesting something from the county and offer to set up a meeting with the executive.
Doug Moore, a spokesman for Page, responded that, “She thought he was a friend. She was trying to be helpful and was taken advantage of.†And he said there was no meeting set up. “The attorneys will manage this in court.â€
After the birthday greeting, Brown told Bingaman that he had used some perishable inventory to donate 150 lunches for front-line workers at St. Luke’s Hospital and the Chesterfield police department. He asked her to excuse a sign outside Satchmo’s in one of the pictures he shared: “Sam Page Closed This Business.â€
Bingaman said: “I get it. Not going to chastise you.†Grinning face with sweat emoji.
And she added: “I don’t make public health decisions but I can help politically.†She noted that other restaurants were doing well by innovating.
While Brown questioned the justification for closing restaurants, Bingaman said data showed the virus was spreading from people inside who don’t wear masks. But she could see his side: it could also spread in break rooms and cafeterias.
“I understand how you feel,†she wrote. “And I’m sure it feels like you’ve been singled out. If there is a way to broker a convo, let me know. There are two sides to every coin!â€
Brown said people in his industry were looking to him for leadership. “If we were able to find a resolution where dining rooms could operate again, I would be happy to do what I can to be a model for ‘responsible’ and ‘safe’ operation of business,†he wrote.
Bingaman: “I think you should talk to Dr. Page about your ideas. I think he would be open to them and would want to work with you. … Let me see what strings I can pull and see what I can do.â€
Brown said he probably needed to talk to his lawyers first “but it seems that it could be productive.â€
Bingaman: “I definitely think there is a way to make this work.â€
Later, Brown responded that he had talked to a lawyer. “If Page would like to meet we can set something up.â€
Bingaman: “Ok I will talk to him!â€
“Awesome, thank you,†Brown wrote. “Also, if he wanted to go ahead and reinstate our permit tomorrow as a sign of good faith, I wouldn’t protest.†Grinning face emoji.
Bingaman: “Hahahaha I have no control over that! But I can broker a meeting.â€
Brown: “Ha! Worth a shot.â€
Bingaman responded, “Gotta ask!â€