I Got a Lotta Mo (Stay Tuned)

Sweet Jesus, what a meeting! As I predicted, our mayor took a four to five hour meeting and trimmed it all the way down to seven and a half hours. The Mimesis didn't adjourn until well after one in the morning, congratulations Mayor Guccione, you just set a record. There was way too much to report about here today, especially after having to watch seven and a half hours of tedious mismanagement of a meeting, so I'll start at the beginning and go as far as I can before I blow chunks.

I received a phone call from one of those citizens attending the meeting who informed me that he was embarrassed for the City of Wentzville after watching Mayor Guccione stammer, stumble, and mumble through reading a simple proclamation. After watching the video, it wasn't much different than his reading other proclamations since being elected—it was painful. I find it hard to watch our mayor when he's reading, it's like fingernails on a blackboard. There are those who've stated they don't believe Guccione could pass a Jr. high school reading examination, I whole heartedly concur, it is embarrassing.

"Open Forum" was a real treat! Greg Younger, President of People for Parks got up and railed against the Aldermen and their holding $20 million dollars of taxpayers money for ransom while they try to make sure the City is getting their money's worth. It appears that Mr. Younger is saying "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead," he was upset that there has "not been one shovel of dirt moved." He was joined in this chorus by Mr. Sean Waken who reiterated almost everything Younger said. This orchestrated demonstration was met by the Aldermen when they asked them to stay at the meeting because their concerns would be addressed later on that evening. Mr. Younger said he couldn't stay excusing himself because his wife is nine months pregnant. It seems to me that if he was that concerned about his wife, he wouldn't have come to the meeting and sat for an hour in the first place—political activism is a tough avocation.

Next, Rod Stratman (you remember him, he was Guccione's recruit for the Ward 3 Alderman seat) stood up in a pre-campaign photo-op. His offering was preceded by telling everyone he had run for Alderman in the last election, but he wanted to talk about a Missouri State House Bill, nice try Rod, I almost believed that was the reason you came forward.

Next up, Mr. Brian Spencer, this was a hoot staged by our mayor. He got up and announced himself and that he was running for the State House of Representatives. Curiously, he is opposing our own Ward 2 Alderman Chris Gard (one of Gooch's most unfavorite Aldermen) for that seat. I guess he wanted equal time and besides, City meeting videos are cheap advertising. At any rate, this brought a protest from several Alderman, Bulldog Stokes, President of the Board said it was out of order and called for a point of order. Gooch looked startled, probably because he didn't know what to do or didn't know what a point of order was, I haven't decided which, probably both. Alderman Gossett, who is rapidly gaining the nickname "Big Dog," jumped in to say: "This is highly inappropriate." Alderman Cheryl Kross reiterated Stokes call for point of order and Gooch got the City Attorney, Paul Rost involved. Rost said nothing revealing but slowed the protestations enough to allow Gooch to let Mr. Spencer proceed with his excuse for being there. It was found out later that Mr Spence had called the Mimesis and asked if he could appear before the city and Gooch said he could campaign in the "Open Forum" section "a couple of judges came up in open forum to announce their candidacy" just like Donna Sherwood and Bill Schuette used to do. What a travesty, what a ridiculous mayor we have, he is rapidly becoming the laughing stock of the city.

PSS, I'm going to stop here and pick it back up tomorrow because the next topic is: "ID #3959 Water Reclamation Project - Change Order No. 4,"  and it may take more time and space than I have today. If you'd like a preview, watch it on the City website click here under "New Business, Item 3.