A Day in the Life

Sometimes just watching city meetings isn't enough to tell if your representative is really functioning in a manner that parallels the needs of the constituents he or she represents, sometimes you need to focus in a little closer on the individual, so close that at times it may become somewhat disgusting. That was my mission last evening, to watch my Ward 3 Alderman Nick Guccione to see just how much he participates in discussions and contributes to the welfare of those in his ward. Oh by the way, did I mention that he's running for mayor?

I didn't expect a lot of fireworks last night and I was right about that but since I'm just a crusty old curmudgeon it was plenty enough entertainment for me. The meeting started promptly at 6:30pm and I walked out the door when they went into executive session at about 11:00pm. It started in the usual way, Pledge, Roll Call, bla,bla,bla, and Consent Agenda and some discussion was had by some Aldermen but nothing of consequence. They moved a "Status of the Parks Project..." presentation from the end of the agenda to just after the consent agenda so the presenters wouldn't have to stay until the end of the meeting.

The parks presentation update was a lengthily slide show with a healthy discussion afterward. They talked about the budget in relation to the design and every single Alderman had questions and comments except mine, Nick Guccione. I was hoping to see him jump in there with some financial questions or even to say "Man those renderings are pretty," but I got nothing. My other alderman Rick Stokes was all over the cost overrun estimates and so were everybody else's Aldermen, but Guccione remained tight-lipped. Oh well I thought, he'll get them next time.

It was during the Mayor's report where Lambi asked the Board to consider naming a fourplex of ball fields after the person who was instrumental in the City obtaining the land for well under the appraised value; Wayne Dockler. He wanted to call it Dockler field. It was exactly 8:04pm, one hour and thirty-four minutes into the meeting after every other alderman agreed to the proposal when my Alderman Guccione stuck his hand up and opened his mouth with: "I agree to name the fourplex baseball field Dockler Field." Guccione's response reminds me of an old story: It takes a team of engineers six weeks to design a multi-million dollar water treatment plant but it takes management six months to decide where to put the bathrooms. The reason: everybody knows something about bathrooms.

Then at 8:14pm came the "Aldermen's Reports" and I knew Guccione would shine here but all I heard was; "No report." Rick Stokes (my other Alderman) during his report asked if the City could partner with the Postal Service to have a drive-up mail box placed on the parking lot of the USC building at Linn Ave. and Pearce Blvd. to assist the handicapped and elderly in having an easy mail drop rather than going to the post office where they need to get out of their car to mail something. At 8:21pm, once again Guccione raised his hand to add: "I don't know if we can make them (Postal Service) do that." He made a point of adding to the discussion with something he didn't know, he's made a his political career of things he doesn't know.

Then came a bill on restructuring the Human Resources and Procurement Departments and it was unanimous except for Guccione, at 8:37pm he voted "NO." He was the only Alderman to say "no" to promoting Human Resources Manager, Amy Holloway and Purchasing Manager, Jerry Hillin, so much for his claim of fighting for the employees and being on their side. I wonder, since the unions are heavily invested in his campaign for Mayor, if Amy and Jerry were union employees would they have gotten his vote?

It wasn't until 9:25pm that Guccione raised his hand (other than to second every motion made), it was during a discussion involving Bill 3373 "Fugitive from Justice Ordinance." Chief Lisa Harrison explained the proposed ordinance and said that it would allow the police department to detain a fugitive with warrants for extradition to the city issuing the warrant. It also provided a fine of not more than $100 to be assessed by the judge. Chief Harrison added that they could also make the fugitive do community service if they were homeless or out of work with no means of support. Guccione suggested: "Fugitives could be made to do community service." It took him until 9:25pm to come up with that bit of profound and insightful thought, it makes me proud, to be a citizen of Ward 3.

There was a discussion about providing the police department with meters to gauge decibel (noise) levels in answer to the recent Caddyshack noise issue. There's a history here and it goes back to about three years ago when the then Board of Aldermen changed the overlay district on the Wentzville Parkway to allow live music in restaurants and bars. The formers of the master plan put a great deal of thought into providing for the overlay districts knowing the potential for noise interfering with the quality of life in the residential areas behind the Wentzville Parkway. The change was initiated by Mayor Lambi wanting to do a favor for a bar-owner friend and knowing the group of Aldermen in charge back then it was a lock to get it changed. That group was Bill Schuette, John Luby, and none other than Nick Guccione. Analytical thought beyond the end of their noses was not their strong suit so they created all the problems going on with live music on the Wentzville Parkway today. We should all thank them for wasting so much time for our Aldermen and police department now.

At 10:35pm, at the request of Lambi, the board revisited the release of the Executive Session" minutes involving the alleged conflict of interest. He wants it out in the open and wanted to force the Aldermen to release them without the blacked-out portions. The Aldermen have stated on several occasions that they will not approve any minutes that would create legal problems for the city and would not release them without the approval of the City Attorney, Paul Rost. Guccione stated: "I have no problem releasing the minutes but without sections blocked out. That's why I voted against it before." Mr Guccione is fine with having law suits filed against the city and releasing the minutes without the advice of Rost. This is the thought pattern of Nick Guccione, don't think about the consequences, fix the problem now at all costs.

During the course of the evening, my alderman, Nick Guccione spoke up eight times and offered nothing of consequence while the other Aldermen asked pertinent questions and offered real solutions for over four hours. This meeting is not unusual, this meeting is typical of his mode of operation. He's not my Alderman, his place could easily be filled by a 10th grader who would probably do a better job. Nick Guccione is running for Mayor, think about it, can the City of Wentzville really afford a Mayor who acts and reacts rather than thinks?

Addendum A March 29, 2012, 1:05pm

I just received another mailer from Nick Guccione, the unions have treated him well to be able to afford all of them. Not only did he steal the trade marked City logo again, he is now campaigning for one of his recruits, Rod Stratman, who is running against the best Alderman on our Board; Rick Stokes. He's determined to control the Board of Aldermen whether he becomes Mayor or not. Nick, the good citizens of Ward 3 don't need another lame deciple of yours representing Ward 3, you have been bad enough.