Someone's Gonna Get a Spanking

The Regular Board of Alderman meeting Wednesday evening was revealing, lots and lots of smoke and I assure you in the very near future there will be front-page fireworks. It began at 6:00pm and immediately after roll call and approval of the Agenda, they retired to executive session. This portion of the meeting lasted until about 8:00pm when they resumed the regular public meeting that lasted until about 10:00pm after which they promptly returned to executive session again. Determined to hang around just in case they came out with some news, I lasted until just after 11:00 when I decided that I'd had enough fun and it was way past my jammy time—I don't know what time they finished and for all I know they could still be there.

The important ordinance that I had been waiting to see put down for the last four years was the final reading of the "Storm Water Utility" tax, as expected it was defeated unanimously. The citizens of Wentzville need to thank Aldermen CHERYL KROSS and RICK STOKES for bringing this back to be put to bed. Their initiative served to protect Wentzville homeowners and businesses from the installation of this obscene tax. As I predicted, here's the double back-flip: Alderman Nick Guccione flipped on his two previous supporting votes to say "Nay" on the final vote. He is running for mayor and it wouldn't have served his candidacy well if he laid another squeeze on the taxpayers. He did give a little speech trying to correct what he called "some misconceptions of his record" regarding his past support of this ordinance but of course he admitted to the flip. I have learned over the years that Guccione is a follower, it's possible that he had never investigated the ordinance, relied on the other "Lurchettes" (who didn't investigate it either) and went with the flow, then and now.

And here's the Guccione belly flop: I suppose he thinks we don't remember but Guccione avidly opposed Sam's Club in Wentzville. He supported the citizens from Bear Creek who came before the board on several ocassions regarding Sam's Club coming here. He voted against it every chance he got. Well, last night, he voted for the CID (Community Improvement Development District) which will create another layer of taxes to fund the building of Sam's Club. Imagine that, it really was a double back-flip.

Going back to the executive session, as with any meeting of this sort, there are "tells" that can give away what might have happened. The first was that Ivan Schroeder, Wentzville Special Attorney and an associate attended, Mr. Schroeder handles personnel matters. Also in the meeting was; Paul Rost, City Attorney; Jerry Hilin, Purchasing Manager; and  Dennis Walsh, Acting City Administrator. Quite an array of high caliber City folk which says there may have been a barbecue (I wonder who was on the spit). Just from this list I can tell that there is the possibility that there could have been some sort of funds misappropriations or mishandling and someone was in for a major spanking. I know that the city has been investigating what is termed: "Implied Contracts." These contracts are when a check was cut and there is no documentation supporting the receipt of the goods or services  Seeing Hilin in that meeting leads me to believe that this subject may have been discussed.

A second "tell" is the deportment of the combatants. Mayor Lambi was particularly distant after the meeting, he was quiet and reserved, not his usual arrogant self. I remember several occasions over the years that Lambi got the "Lurchettes" to pass several of his corn-ball "Contract for Services" projects. One in particular that comes to mind is a $15,000 payment to a group to lobby Washington, DC for the automotive industry. I thought it strange that this was entertained, but with that past board, anything was possible. At any rate, I've since learned that this group was disbanded, it is alleged that Lambi was a part of that group. I don't know what the city got out of that "donation" other than the privilege of flushing 15 large down the crapper. I have been researching state statutes regarding this matter and have found one that may put a noose around someones neck if indeed this was the discussion and if indeed an elected official is implicated. I won't post it here now but if you'd like to have a gander try RSMO 105-458.

Now more about the election, another candidate has filed for the alderman seat of Ward 3, Mr. Curtis Davis. I do not know Mr. Davis but unfortunately he's running against Alderman  RICK STOKES. Stokes has been the strongest and most persistent alderman I've ever seen representing my ward. He spearheaded the $500,000 real property tax reduction and just helped save homeowners and businesses in Wentzville from the Storm Water Utility Tax. He is possibly the most studied, focused, and effective alderman Wentzville has ever had. I cannot support anyone other than him for that office.

I just got the news that FORREST GOSSETT has filed for the position of Alderman of Ward 1. I'll post more about his candidacy as soon as it becomes available.