St. Louis County’s new health director made it clear that his department would be more involved in the issues stemming from the smoldering landfill here, promising first a new survey of residents’ health conditions.
The announcement was a change from the limited involvement the health department under former County Executive Charlie Dooley had with the burning Bridgeton landfill and its potential health impacts. But County Executive Steve Stenger’s new health chief, Faisal Khan, signaled a new interest in the issue from both Stenger and his department.
“What changed in the last two, three months in St. Louis County?” Khan asked the crowd of about 100 gathered in the Operating Engineers Local 513 meeting hall. “Political will. … There was a lack of political will in Clayton. And I’m here to tell you that has changed completely.”