Some political observers wonder if the recent collapse of a planned big box retail development in Florissant signals the end of one-person rule in St. Louis County’s largest municipality. For decades, as police chief and mayor, savvy Robert Lowery, Sr. has had the final word in most issues. Yet, with the county tax increment financing commission likely to recommend against the use of TIF, Lowery opted to back-pedal rather than try to muster a super-majority on his increasingly fractious City Council. Combined with the specter of a charter review commission and the release of state auditor Susan Montee‘s report, Lowery’s decision seems like an acknowledgment that the second 50 years of public service might be harder than the first.