Meltdown in City Hall

The Board of Aldermen's special meeting of November 29th was a bust, hardly worth attending—that's probably why I didn't. The agenda items were only two: "City Administrator Recruitment," and "Police Chief Recruitment." Those lasted about 15 minutes and then they went into executive session for almost two hours. Sometimes watching legislation is like watching speed bumps, it's no wonder why more citizens don't attend city meetings, it takes a certain kind of screwball. But this doesn't mean there isn't entertainment in city hall because on any given day it is filled with mini dramas.

If you had been a fly on the mayor's office wall Wednesday afternoon you would have seen our mayor at his absolute worst. Code of conduct for elected officials doesn't seem to mean much for our omnipresent all mighty potentate; Mayor Lambi, as he went crazy. I think the pressures of trying to act like a mayor by someone who can't grasp the concept is catching up with our man Lambi.

Here's the way it went down: A citizen and old friend of Lambi's went to city hall to talk with Acting City Administrator, Dennis Walsh about a water bill problem. At the front desk he found that Walsh is no longer officed in city hall so he asked if he could have a few moments with the Mayor. Sitting in Lambi's office, he explained why he was there and the conversation evolved into a discussion of the recent employee benefits talks. He asked why Lambi supported the "no increase" in co pays for employees. Irritated, and in his best smart-ass condescending way, Lambi said: "You are always putting down city employees." His friend rocked by Lambi's statement retorted, "I take offense to your attitude! How can you justify passing these costs onto the taxpayers!"

Walsh and the purchasing manager, Jerry Hillin, arrived at city hall for a meeting with Lambi just as the gloves were being taken off in Lambi's office. Shouting and expletives (that even I wouldn't use) were being exchanged while the office employees and staff listened in the lobby. Finally, before it went to blows, Lambi shouted; "YOU'RE NO FRIEND OF MINE, GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!" On his way out, Lambi's ex friend said: "You'll rue the day you treated me this way!" In my opinion, that's one hell of a way to schmooze a taxpaying resident of Wentzville. I wonder if Lambi will get his vote?

You kinda have to feel sorry for Lambi he really is a nice person if you can get him out of his mayor hat. He was originally elected (2004) to dethrone Vickie Bodeker and re-elected (2006) to drive the nail in her coffin by beating her a second time to that old tune: "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead." Then after that he began thinking he was invincible.  Beginning to break promises and  lying to friends and followers became a pass time that lost him a great number of his constituency. In 2008, his third election, Leon Tow gave him a run for his money without even trying. In 2010 he won a split decision by obtaining only 38 percent of the vote but if there had been only one opponent, Lambi would not have been here today. I guess we are fortunate because if he had lost we would have had Lurch screwing things up today. Sometimes blessings come at a high price.

Turning friends into enemies has been a big part of his downfall. His reign of lunacy will lead to a legacy far beneath that which he had hoped to attain. This final meltdown in city hall could cost him any chance at a fifth term. Even some of his closest friends are now looking away and I'm beginning to believe that he finally doesn't want the job of mayor any longer, it's just too hard. With a little training I think he could become a top-notch Wal-Mart Greeter. Maybe he could use one of his $250 "volunteer" tutors to help land the job.