Looking Forward to 2012

After the recent Wentzville election, I'm encouraged by the results.

Beginning with Ward 1: Cheryl Kross was elected by a resounding 884 votes over her opponent Ola Martin who gathered 221, and two write-ins. Alderwoman Kross has earned her re-election due to a close interaction with her constituents and honest questioning of the political and bureaucratic health of Wentzville.

Ward 2: In a race of four canditates, Chris Gard is our new alderman replacing retiring Peggy Meyer; 764 votes. With a growing public distrust of City doings, Alderman Gard is a welcome addition. In second place, William (Bill) "Lurch" J. Schuette came in second with 607 votes. This is his second loss in as many years, I certainly hope he now realizes that he is a complete loser and is not wanted back in city hall. But somehow, I don't think he's that smart so look forward to seeing him "Lurch"ing around next year when the mayoral election takes place. The other two candidates were Donna Sherwood; 500 votes and Patrick Vining; 50 votes; seven write-ins.

Ward 3: Nick Guccione was unopposed.

The general outlook for the city is is very good. However, with five conservative aldermen on the board, Nick Guccione could have a very long couple of years.

Looking forward; The mayoral race in 2012 could be fun. Three horses are known already; Mayor Paul Lambi, Ward 1 Alderman Leon Tow, and Ward 3 Alderman Nick Guccione. "Lurch" might jump in, you can tell an idiot, but you can't tell him much, but I digress.

Anyway, Beginning with Lambi, Paul Lambi is a kind, sensitive, and caring man of unquestionably good morals however, he's served two terms longer than necessary. As a matter of fact, his greatest accomplishment in his political career was to beat Vickie Bodeker in his first two elections. That alone made it worth the votes he got. Now down to his record: Mayor Lambi is in love with being Mayor. He loves the notoriety, officiating ribbon cuttings, rubbing elbows with powerful men and women at the County, State and Federal levels, and of course, being the wheel at parties and celebrations. It would be hard to find a single good thing that happened in Wentzville that he wouldn't take credit for. Unfortunately, he's been caught in lots and lots of lies, Doesn't give a rats-ass about his constituents, and has turned his back on friends who helped put him there. But the most damning thing he's accomplished is; he has never stood up to any of his staff and he consistently allowed the bureaucracy to run the city while he's out playing golf. Mayor Lambi has put his stamp on many bad legislations without a single veto in five years of sitting over City government. It is a shame that he won't step down before the masses send him a loud and clear message to go home, get a real job, and let Wentzville survive without him. Six years of Paul Lambi as mayor has been frustrating to everyone, it's time for him to go.

Regarding Tow and Guccione; Head to head it is going to be interesting. Tow has lived in Wentzville some 40 years, most of it, serving the city as alderman of ward 1. He too is a good man but has never campaigned much, on the other hand, his opponent Nick Guccione is a tireless campaigner. Leon may be backed by "The Machine'" but if he doesn't get out there pressing the flesh, he could find himself running third.

Enough for now, but I'll be back!