Prior to modern big business franchising branches of their stores all over the world, small towns and even big cities had individual identities. Go to any town today and you'll see the same stores selling the same goods that you found in your own hometown. You can eat the exact same food from the same menu as those fast food places back home, or buy the same goods from the same stores that you usually shop. Unless there is some geological differences or landmarks, or the city has a particular theme, the charm of the area has been standardized by familiar sights.
Old Highway 66 was a perfect example of diverse and creative businesses. With its unusual variety of tourist traps, it called to travellers to stop and enjoy the gift shops, eateries, and strange museums that lined its entire length. When I was a kid and my family would visit relatives I loved seeing all of the interesting places, and reading the Burma-Shave signs. People remember the unusual or unique and identify a town with its landmarks. When travelling old Highway 40 through Wentzville, I remember the Southern Air restaurant, the train tracks over the highway, and the A&W root beer drive-in (now Pete's Drive-In). Today, I smile every time I turn the corner at the Southern Air, go under the tracks, and see Pete's Drive-in. It takes me back to simpler times when the summers were longer and every day brought new adventures.
Wentzville used to have a little ice cream shop known as Smiley's, I still hear people talking fondly about it. As with many small family-owned businesses, Smiley's was faced with stiff competition from modern business. Fritz's, Woogies, and of course Dairy Queen, which all combined took their toll on a small town ice cream shop. Smiley's finally sold out and became International Dogs & Cream. The new owner tried for several years to keep the small-town feeling but like Smiley's, they were overcome by modern marketing.
International Dogs & Cream was sold to Brian Koessel and became Goody's Ice Cream. Brian understands marketing and at his ribbon cutting, what he presented was a splash of color that has not been seen since the NBC peacock. The front of the shop is pink with multicolored pastel bubbles. On the patio are six tables with brightly colored umbrellas made of what looks like Hawaiian hula skirts. Goody's is an eye-catcher, and even though it's set back and tucked between two strip shops, Goody's will not be ignored. What Goody's lacks in location, location, location, it makes up for with unique ice cream desserts, food menu, small-town service, and color, color, color!
In the two years since opening, Goody's business has steadily grown and a neighboring franchised sandwich shop has felt the pinch of competition. Free enterprise works, but with success comes another whole set of problems. Unfortunately the City received a complaint about Goody's exterior appearance and signage, which started the code enforcement people to stir. Brian received a letter from Public Works that his signage is in violation of City ordinance and was given X number of days to come into compliance. There is no consideration that the signage has been there for years; it's a simple matter of ordinance. There is an appeal process and Brian has secured the services of a local attorney to plead his case.
In my not so humble opinion, in this case, it is unfortunate that the City's actions are driven by one competitor's complaint, but if Brian's frustration with the system can be tempered until the process has been brought to completion, perhaps Wentzville may be able to keep one of its newest landmarks. Brian has already been heard saying that he's considering closing up and moving to a town where they appreciate a small family-operated business running a unique shop in its community. Fifty years from now I wonder how many grown men and women will drive by where Goody's used to be, think about their childhood, and smile to pleasant memories of simpler times, longer summers, and every day bringing new adventures.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Another Day, Another Millon Dollars
The City of Wentzville is preparing to present its 2010 General Fund Budget to the Aldermen next month, and as usual I expect all sorts of creative and self-serving ways to spend our tax dollars to increase the size of our City government. Last year the City Administrator gave a very easy-to-understand presentation, and afterward Mayor Lambi said that the staff did a great job trimming the budget. At that time the financial climate around town was terrible with foreclosures and loss of jobs leading the list. Rumors were soaring high above like circling buzzards that General Motors was going to file bankruptcy and it could have a great impact on the Wentzville plant. Cities across the Country were laying off employees and eliminating raises, but Wentzville's Government kept its blinders on tight and kept planting its fertile bureaucratic fields.
Disagreeing with the Mayor, I presented him a list of 15 items that could have been trimmed from the 2009 General Fund budget that added up to over $1 million of what I concluded was waste or unnecessary spending. He listened for a few minutes and said that I made some good points and that he would take it to the staff. Later that week he told me that there are reasons why they could not cut any of the suggestions I offered but I heard none. I requested a meeting with him and the City Administrator to hear their reasons for rejecting every single item on the list. I made the mistake of presenting my list before the meeting and when I got there the people in attendance were the Mayor, City Administrator, Finance Director, his assistant, and the two Aldermen who represent me in my ward. They buzzed through my list with a rehearsed rhetoric that made my head spin. The bottom line was, no cuts!
2. WEBSITE DESIGN: Upgrading the city website to make it “more user friendly” is the reason for this item. The citizens are using the website now and there will always be those who will experience some confusion regardless of how “idiot proof” it is made. I argued, at this time, that this item is totally unnecessary. The website functions and I think most would agree that it functions as well as most sites on the Internet. The result is that $25,000 was spent on a new website.
3. PATROL CARS (5): Eight Wentzville patrol cars are on the department‘s revolving vehicle replacement program, and the city is recommending the replacement of five. It is a fact that our city needs to be kept safe through a ready and well-equipped police force, and there are certainly some cars that may need replacement. After looking at other communities in St. Charles County, there are communities our size and larger that have patrol cars in their fleet that are older than ours. The result is that they purchased the new cars for $134,855.
4. MOTORCYCLE PURCHASE: This called for the addition of one new city-owned motorcycle to replace one that is presently under a lease program. Wentzville has a fleet of 3 motorcycles. Police motorcycles are good during good weather and are mostly visible in parades or as escorts. According to the National Weather Service the Wentzville/St. Louis area experienced 81 days of measurable precipitation in the last 365 days and almost 35 days of below freezing weather. Although these cannot be added together, it is safe to say that there are at least 81+ days a year that motorcycles cannot be used, which is about 23-25% of the year. The City spent $17,000 for the new motorcycle.
5. DOCUMENT IMAGING: This item was included to “expand upon the 2008 project to encompass the needs of the entire city with the purchase of software and hardware capable of providing user friendly document storage and retrieving system.” Document storage and retrieval is being done currently and if the main reason is as stated to become more “user friendly,” it is a luxury and needs to be looked at when it becomes a necessity. Because of the economic tone today, making life easier for City employees cannot be justified. The city spent $125,000.
This represents only one-third of my list. As ridiculous as some of these sound, the staff justified each and every one and our Mayor and majority of our Aldermen rubber-stamped them. I talked with several Aldermen before the vote and the consensus on several items was, "Oh, I didn't see that," or "I'll look into it." I truly believe that when the 2009 General Fund Budget was given to our elected officials, 2 Aldermen read it, 2 Aldermen read the parts that applied to their pet projects, and 2 Aldermen went we-we-we-we, all the way home.
Since last year, General Motors did file bankruptcy and consequently eliminated two shifts from our local plant. With small and medium-size businesses failing and unemployment rising, the mid term General Fund Budget had to be adjusted. The City Administrator announced, "because of decreased revenue in order to balance the budget it is necessary to cut $1.1 million out of the General Fund." I sat in the back of the chambers shaking my head thinking, what geniuses they would have looked like if they would have taken even a portion of my list seriously. It is amazing that the City found $1.1 million in excess that they could cut to balance the budget.
It is the job of staff to promote their jobs and justify each employee's existence. They are there to propagate city government and make sure that every tax dollar collected assists in that endeavor. It is the job of each elected official to represent their constituents and protect them from waste spending. It is apparent that when our Aldermen condone spending as they have, they are not representing the citizens who elected them but rather being sold a bill of goods by our bureaucratic system and buying into it. It is the job of the Mayor to be on the lookout for waste spending and to veto bad legislation. It must be noted that during his 3 terms Mayor Lambi has never vetoed anything.
I urge Wentzville citizens to scrutinize the proposed 2010 budget, ask questions, and attend meetings. Watch your local government and get involved in the process or kiss your hard-earned tax dollars goodbye. Oh...and watch for more fees and taxes to be introduced!
Disagreeing with the Mayor, I presented him a list of 15 items that could have been trimmed from the 2009 General Fund budget that added up to over $1 million of what I concluded was waste or unnecessary spending. He listened for a few minutes and said that I made some good points and that he would take it to the staff. Later that week he told me that there are reasons why they could not cut any of the suggestions I offered but I heard none. I requested a meeting with him and the City Administrator to hear their reasons for rejecting every single item on the list. I made the mistake of presenting my list before the meeting and when I got there the people in attendance were the Mayor, City Administrator, Finance Director, his assistant, and the two Aldermen who represent me in my ward. They buzzed through my list with a rehearsed rhetoric that made my head spin. The bottom line was, no cuts!
Some of the suggested cuts were:
1. COMPENSATION STUDY: This study is done every 3 or 4 years to check if our pay standards are commensurate with other municipalities. The general public always frowns on studies and this one (at this time) did raise eyebrows. Economic times and the fact that they placed a hiring freeze on the city should have driven this kind of study, not housekeeping. It appeared to me that the information gleaned from this study could have been learned by a few phone calls to other municipalities, and not have to pay some outside contractor an amount equivalent to a year’s salary for a Wentzville employee. The study was completed at the cost of $30,000 and the consultant stated; "The City did a great job on keeping up with salaries and compensations. In all areas, Wentzville either equalled or exceeded the test group of cities in St. Charles County." The result is that $30,000 was wasted.2. WEBSITE DESIGN: Upgrading the city website to make it “more user friendly” is the reason for this item. The citizens are using the website now and there will always be those who will experience some confusion regardless of how “idiot proof” it is made. I argued, at this time, that this item is totally unnecessary. The website functions and I think most would agree that it functions as well as most sites on the Internet. The result is that $25,000 was spent on a new website.
3. PATROL CARS (5): Eight Wentzville patrol cars are on the department‘s revolving vehicle replacement program, and the city is recommending the replacement of five. It is a fact that our city needs to be kept safe through a ready and well-equipped police force, and there are certainly some cars that may need replacement. After looking at other communities in St. Charles County, there are communities our size and larger that have patrol cars in their fleet that are older than ours. The result is that they purchased the new cars for $134,855.
4. MOTORCYCLE PURCHASE: This called for the addition of one new city-owned motorcycle to replace one that is presently under a lease program. Wentzville has a fleet of 3 motorcycles. Police motorcycles are good during good weather and are mostly visible in parades or as escorts. According to the National Weather Service the Wentzville/St. Louis area experienced 81 days of measurable precipitation in the last 365 days and almost 35 days of below freezing weather. Although these cannot be added together, it is safe to say that there are at least 81+ days a year that motorcycles cannot be used, which is about 23-25% of the year. The City spent $17,000 for the new motorcycle.
5. DOCUMENT IMAGING: This item was included to “expand upon the 2008 project to encompass the needs of the entire city with the purchase of software and hardware capable of providing user friendly document storage and retrieving system.” Document storage and retrieval is being done currently and if the main reason is as stated to become more “user friendly,” it is a luxury and needs to be looked at when it becomes a necessity. Because of the economic tone today, making life easier for City employees cannot be justified. The city spent $125,000.
This represents only one-third of my list. As ridiculous as some of these sound, the staff justified each and every one and our Mayor and majority of our Aldermen rubber-stamped them. I talked with several Aldermen before the vote and the consensus on several items was, "Oh, I didn't see that," or "I'll look into it." I truly believe that when the 2009 General Fund Budget was given to our elected officials, 2 Aldermen read it, 2 Aldermen read the parts that applied to their pet projects, and 2 Aldermen went we-we-we-we, all the way home.
Since last year, General Motors did file bankruptcy and consequently eliminated two shifts from our local plant. With small and medium-size businesses failing and unemployment rising, the mid term General Fund Budget had to be adjusted. The City Administrator announced, "because of decreased revenue in order to balance the budget it is necessary to cut $1.1 million out of the General Fund." I sat in the back of the chambers shaking my head thinking, what geniuses they would have looked like if they would have taken even a portion of my list seriously. It is amazing that the City found $1.1 million in excess that they could cut to balance the budget.
It is the job of staff to promote their jobs and justify each employee's existence. They are there to propagate city government and make sure that every tax dollar collected assists in that endeavor. It is the job of each elected official to represent their constituents and protect them from waste spending. It is apparent that when our Aldermen condone spending as they have, they are not representing the citizens who elected them but rather being sold a bill of goods by our bureaucratic system and buying into it. It is the job of the Mayor to be on the lookout for waste spending and to veto bad legislation. It must be noted that during his 3 terms Mayor Lambi has never vetoed anything.
I urge Wentzville citizens to scrutinize the proposed 2010 budget, ask questions, and attend meetings. Watch your local government and get involved in the process or kiss your hard-earned tax dollars goodbye. Oh...and watch for more fees and taxes to be introduced!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Back To Business!
Wabash Days is over for another year, what a great event. I was so happy to see the residents of Wentzville having such a wonderful time enjoying the festivities with their families and frends. I was also extremely pleased to see that Elvis is alive and well and was living in Wentzville for three hours on stage. (I wonder if he visited with Chuck Berry while he was here?) Bravo to the City of Wentzville, The Wentzville Community Club, The Chamber of Commerce, The Wentzville Downtown Business Association, and The Wentzville Community Historical Society for a successful weekend.
Now, it's time to get back to business! Next year, 2010 is an election year for 3 of our Aldermen and Mayor. With the way our City government has been functioning in recent years, I wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of tax issue on the April ballot too, I'll keep you posted. Mayor Paul Lambi will be running again, his campaign committee has already announced a fund-raiser trivia night. He is seeking a fourth term as Mayor of the fastest growing city in St. Charles County. Word around town is that he's lost some of his sparkle that won him his first three terms. Complacency and lack of follow-through on promises are just a few of the things being talked about in local barber shops and gathering spots. It will be interesting to see his platform and what he plans to promise in order to turn back some of the negative talk.
Lambi's opponent(s) are still uncertain, although Nickolas Guccione, Schnucks butcher by day and Alderman of Ward 3 has announced a couple of fund-raisers at local lounges, namely; The Olde Towne Pub and Caddyshack. He told me that he is testing the waters to ascertain if he could raise enough interest in his campaign to dethrone Lambi. If presented properly and knowing many of Guccione's supporters, he could be a contender. Guccione seems to be connecting with the people of Wentzville, this could be an upset.
Another suspected candidate is Ward 2 Alderman Bill Schuette. Schuette, a two-term Alderman is a diesel mechanic on garbage trucks who has wrenched his way onto the Wentzville wall of shame on numerous occasions with his lack of tact, knowledge of governmental inner workings, and political skills. He told me several months ago that he is not going to run for the office of mayor but Schuette is not beyond telling the occasional fib. I hope he runs because in doing so when he loses, he will also lose his seat on the Board of Alderman, this would be a very good thing for Wentzville. If he doesn't seek the higher office, whoever runs against him for his Ward 2 seat has my vote.
Lurking in the shadows of indecision is Ward 2 Alderwoman Peggy Meyer and retired Ward 1 Alderman Leon Tow. Tow ran against Lambi in the 2008 election and made a good showing. Had he campaigned a little more, he could have been seeking his second term as Mayor. At any rate, he told me he's thinking about it but is really enjoying his retirement and being reunited with his golf clubs. Good for you Leon! Rumors have been circulating for the past few years that Peggy Meyer could be interested in the top spot but she's keeping it pretty close to the vest regarding her intentions. We'll know soon.
Regardless who runs, our country is facing huge problems and although we as citizens seem to have little impact at the National level, our votes count heavily in our City elections. I've seen Wentzville mayoral races won by as few as 7 votes. Get registered, let's not let Wentzville's government think we don't care how our city is run. Get acquainted with the candidates and vote in April, 2010.
Now, it's time to get back to business! Next year, 2010 is an election year for 3 of our Aldermen and Mayor. With the way our City government has been functioning in recent years, I wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of tax issue on the April ballot too, I'll keep you posted. Mayor Paul Lambi will be running again, his campaign committee has already announced a fund-raiser trivia night. He is seeking a fourth term as Mayor of the fastest growing city in St. Charles County. Word around town is that he's lost some of his sparkle that won him his first three terms. Complacency and lack of follow-through on promises are just a few of the things being talked about in local barber shops and gathering spots. It will be interesting to see his platform and what he plans to promise in order to turn back some of the negative talk.
Lambi's opponent(s) are still uncertain, although Nickolas Guccione, Schnucks butcher by day and Alderman of Ward 3 has announced a couple of fund-raisers at local lounges, namely; The Olde Towne Pub and Caddyshack. He told me that he is testing the waters to ascertain if he could raise enough interest in his campaign to dethrone Lambi. If presented properly and knowing many of Guccione's supporters, he could be a contender. Guccione seems to be connecting with the people of Wentzville, this could be an upset.
Another suspected candidate is Ward 2 Alderman Bill Schuette. Schuette, a two-term Alderman is a diesel mechanic on garbage trucks who has wrenched his way onto the Wentzville wall of shame on numerous occasions with his lack of tact, knowledge of governmental inner workings, and political skills. He told me several months ago that he is not going to run for the office of mayor but Schuette is not beyond telling the occasional fib. I hope he runs because in doing so when he loses, he will also lose his seat on the Board of Alderman, this would be a very good thing for Wentzville. If he doesn't seek the higher office, whoever runs against him for his Ward 2 seat has my vote.
Lurking in the shadows of indecision is Ward 2 Alderwoman Peggy Meyer and retired Ward 1 Alderman Leon Tow. Tow ran against Lambi in the 2008 election and made a good showing. Had he campaigned a little more, he could have been seeking his second term as Mayor. At any rate, he told me he's thinking about it but is really enjoying his retirement and being reunited with his golf clubs. Good for you Leon! Rumors have been circulating for the past few years that Peggy Meyer could be interested in the top spot but she's keeping it pretty close to the vest regarding her intentions. We'll know soon.
Regardless who runs, our country is facing huge problems and although we as citizens seem to have little impact at the National level, our votes count heavily in our City elections. I've seen Wentzville mayoral races won by as few as 7 votes. Get registered, let's not let Wentzville's government think we don't care how our city is run. Get acquainted with the candidates and vote in April, 2010.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
It's Party Time!
Starting tomorrow, old town Wentzville will host its largest celebration of the year; Wabash Days. A three day event featuring a carnival, entertainment, food, and craft booths taking up ten blocks along both sides of the railroad tracks. The annual event averages some 10,000 people enjoying the three-day event, there's something for everyone, in the words of John Lennon, "a splendid time is guaranteed for all." I will be volunteering all three days at the event in whatever capacity is needed and for those days the troubles of the world will be forgotten as I celebrate that small-town feeling.
As for today though, it was learned that the City of Wentzville has been served with a Federal civil law suit citing violation of civil rights and harassment charges. The plaintiff (a local business) is demanding a jury trial seeking $100,000,000 in damages, almost twice the annual City budget. Besides naming the City of Wentzville, Mayor Paul Lambi and Police Chief Robert Noonan were also named as co-defendants in the suit. It's inconceivable that an award that high would be granted but even a small portion would put the City in a world of hurt. Damages for claims include; unreasonable and unlawful seizure, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and conspiracy to violate civil rights. This will be a very interesting case to watch unfold in the Missouri Eastern Federal District Court in St. Louis. I plan to attend.
As for today though, it was learned that the City of Wentzville has been served with a Federal civil law suit citing violation of civil rights and harassment charges. The plaintiff (a local business) is demanding a jury trial seeking $100,000,000 in damages, almost twice the annual City budget. Besides naming the City of Wentzville, Mayor Paul Lambi and Police Chief Robert Noonan were also named as co-defendants in the suit. It's inconceivable that an award that high would be granted but even a small portion would put the City in a world of hurt. Damages for claims include; unreasonable and unlawful seizure, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and conspiracy to violate civil rights. This will be a very interesting case to watch unfold in the Missouri Eastern Federal District Court in St. Louis. I plan to attend.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
No One Knows The Trouble I've Seen
It's unfortunate when a city government loses touch with its people, but Wentzville has done just that. There is a little town near here called Wildwood, and it's beautiful with landscaped streets, parks, and spacious homes all set in a large wooded area. The majority of Wentzville's Aldermen love it and want to create the same thing here. The difference is that Wildwood was built from the ground up within the last 25 years and Wentzville is 153 years old. Wentzville Aldermen have pushed tree ordinances and overlay districts with strict appearance codes and enforce them with great vigor. It's so tough that when White Castle wanted to build here, they were told that they could not use their trademark white castle building; it had to meet the overlay code. Because White Castle saw the great potential of the location and knew the growth rate of our city, they bent over for the City. Our White Castle is pink! Yep, we have probably the only pink split-face block White Castle in the country. Some businesses turned and ran as fast as they could, like Red Lobster. When Red Lobster was told that they could not use their trademark building they said adios!
Wentzville's city government doesn't seem to understand that they are creating laws that are not popular with citizens and are keeping out businesses that our citizens want. These ordinances increase building costs, create a need for larger government, and in the long run the citizens pay the price in higher taxes, services, and fees. Wentzville already sports the highest sales tax rate in the county, and our elected officials don't seem to care.
An even larger problem exists because the City does not allow the building of homes that first-time home buyers and retired people can afford. Prospective buyers can either buy a 1940's prefab spec home, a $200,000+ groomed subdivision home, or buy somewhere else, which is what they are doing. Currently, Wentzville has 3000 lots ready to be built but no buyers are to be found. Home builders have had meeting after meeting with the City trying to tell them that they are saturated with mid- to upper-range homes and that they need to appeal to the forgotten group of first-time and retired buyers, but their pleas fall on deaf and indifferent ears. It's a sad state of affairs and one that must be remedied or Wentzville's future is bleak.
Our elected officials need to quit trying to be like everybody else and get in touch with the proud heritage that made Wentzville the strong, friendly, small town it has been for 153 years. We need to be proud of who we are, not who we are not!
Wentzville's city government doesn't seem to understand that they are creating laws that are not popular with citizens and are keeping out businesses that our citizens want. These ordinances increase building costs, create a need for larger government, and in the long run the citizens pay the price in higher taxes, services, and fees. Wentzville already sports the highest sales tax rate in the county, and our elected officials don't seem to care.
An even larger problem exists because the City does not allow the building of homes that first-time home buyers and retired people can afford. Prospective buyers can either buy a 1940's prefab spec home, a $200,000+ groomed subdivision home, or buy somewhere else, which is what they are doing. Currently, Wentzville has 3000 lots ready to be built but no buyers are to be found. Home builders have had meeting after meeting with the City trying to tell them that they are saturated with mid- to upper-range homes and that they need to appeal to the forgotten group of first-time and retired buyers, but their pleas fall on deaf and indifferent ears. It's a sad state of affairs and one that must be remedied or Wentzville's future is bleak.
Our elected officials need to quit trying to be like everybody else and get in touch with the proud heritage that made Wentzville the strong, friendly, small town it has been for 153 years. We need to be proud of who we are, not who we are not!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Welcome To My Home Town
I came here to Wentzville in 2003 and in just days I fell in love with the town and its people. It has a long and rich history beginning in 1855. With a principal crop of tobacco from the 1820s to about 1880, here is where many of the large tobacco companies of our day began. Through the Civil War years, 1861-1865, the village was a stronghold of the Confederacy with training camps for soldiers who, after training, were sent to Arkansas, Mississippi, and other Southern states. In 1861, the Battle of Wentzville took place between Union troops from St. Louis, who arrived on a train. For several days, the Confederate villagers fired upon the train as it tried to move westward; when the fighting ceased there were 7 dead and some 30 wounded. The Wentzville Hotel was used as a makeshift hospital where soldiers from both sides were treated before leaving for St. Louis. The hotel was burned to the ground the night the train left, and it was never known whether it was torched by angry Confederates who resented treating Union soldiers or the Federals, who might have destroyed it to keep it from being used by the Confederates. The Hotel was rebuilt in 1867, in brick this time, 14 inches thick. After the war and the abolishing of slavery, tobacco factories closed down and other crops and livestock became king.
I hope that through this blog I can inspire people to take more interest in our community and help keep it a great place to live, play, and work. I will be talking about our history, our present (as our City government grows at a staggering rate), and hope for the future of a little tobacco town just wanting to get its crops to the big city.
I hope that through this blog I can inspire people to take more interest in our community and help keep it a great place to live, play, and work. I will be talking about our history, our present (as our City government grows at a staggering rate), and hope for the future of a little tobacco town just wanting to get its crops to the big city.
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