Grab Your Popcon, Gather the Family, and Enjoy!

If you missed the meeting last night, you really missed it, Gillette couldn't have put on a better card! This was the most entertaining city get-together I've had the pleasure to see in a long time, and it was totally unexpected, what a treat. So much happened that I really don't know where to start. I guess the best way is to say: If you don't have your head screwed on, everybody will mistake it for a football.

Alderman Nick Guccione, who is campaigning for Mayor must be reading The Wentzvillian because, as I've claimed many times, "Guccione doesn't contribute," well last night he decided to start orating. Everything went fine for him through the "Public Hearings," "Open Forum," and the "Consent Agenda," but when it came to the "Aldermen Reports" and; "XVII DISCUSSIONS;" topic: "Political Canvasing, Solicitatrion, and Temporary Signs," the projected excrement met the oscillating agitator and resulted in Guccione's melon between the goal posts.

Alderman Chris Gard had copies of the St. Louis Post Dispatch article of yesterday which he handed to Paul Rost, City Attorney, and expressed his concern that elected officials are talking to reporters about the secret meetings. With that, Guccione's hand shot up to be recognized by the Mayor almost as fast as his blood pressure. Guilt ridden he went on a tirade about "the blog, the blog" he blamed "the blog" half-a-dozen times in an attempt to cover for his talking to the reporter, Mark Schlinkmann. Guccione complained in months past and reaffirmed last night that "everything is out in the open" because some Alderman has been blabbing to "the blog." I need to thank Mr. Guccione for confirming (blabbing to "the blog" and City) that all my speculations are true, but I sure didn't think he'd do it in a public meeting. He clearly needs to quit reading "the blog." I hate to say that because he and Donna Sherwood are two of my most devoted readers. Rost told the Mayor and Alderman that they should not comment to reporters regarding the "Executive Session" matter that is currently under investigation.

Gard moved onto political signs and the complaints of his constituents. He stated that "prospective elected officials should be held to the same temporary signage code that are expected of citizens and the businesses in Wentzville." Once again Guccione reached for the sky, "Other candidates have the support of the HBA and have signs up everywhere, it's not fair!" Wa wa wa, he's starting to sound like Mayor Lambi and before this heated, fist pounding debate was finished his face was blazing red.

Next came the report of Alderman Rick Stokes: His concern was that the city should not be paying to advertise in the Vision Newsletter a Coffee Talk that is in reality a political rally. A little background is needed here: Guccione has held a monthly meeting for the public to discuss subjects of city business and historically it has been hosted in city hall. Last week his Coffee Talk took place in his home and from witness accounts, it quickly turned into a political bashfest of his and Sherwood's opponents. He tried defending himself again by mentioning a private citizen by name as the covert spy who told everyone. This Coffee Talk was an advertised public meeting, talking about what went on to someone after such a meeting is allowed, duh. In discussing this matter with the individual after the meeting, she is very unhappy that "Guccione slurred my good name in a public meeting." Something tells me that he hasn't heard the last of that incident.

Penultimately, Guccione confronted Attorney Rost after the meeting to explain what he said to the press. Rost told him that he shouldn't talk to the media about this situation. Guccione reiterated his explaination and Rost told him again, not to talk to the media. A third time he tried to explain to an obviously disgusted Rost who was stuffing his papers in his brief case as quickly as he could, "Just don't comment to the media," and politely left. It's possible that Guccione with what he said to Schlinkmann and in tonight's meeting, may have removed himself from the protection of the city's counsel.

There were enough things happen in last nights alderman meeting to fill several blogs and I think I'll save some for another day. I'm sure someone will think I'm making this crap up and just bashing Nick Guccione, but frankly, I think he's doing enough of that all by himself. It was stated by a person in the audience: "Nick is the best campaign manager Leon Tow or Darrel Lackey could ever ask for." I have to agree, he really stepped in it last night. For three hours of entertainment; grab your popcorn, gather your family, and tune in to the February 8, 2012 Wentzville Board of Alderman meeting at: http://www.wentzvillemo.org/.