You Can't Please Everyone

A very important meeting was held last Wedenesday evening, July 25th, in City Hall. There were some very interesting things happen during the course of the meeting but the most salient item was first on the agenda: "(ID # 3996) Audit Presentation). This topic is paramount and the presentation illustrated the health of Wentzville finances. This report was so important that Alderman of Ward 1, Forrest Gossett called in from a business trip to take part via speaker phone set up in front of the Diaz. Mayor Guccione was absent so he could accompany the first lady to Florida who was to attend a seminar related to her job.

President of the Board of Aldermen, Rick Stokes led the meeting in the absence of the Mayor, his actions that night was a great a tutorial on how to maintain decorum and stay on topic. When the presenter of the budget audit finished and was leaving the chamber, Stokes said: "We're screaming along here, are you sure you want to leave" The meeting lasted until 10.02 pm when they went into executive session, it was the shortest meeting since mid April when Nick Guccione was sworn as our Mayor.

The Audit revealed the $153,200,000 worth of our city, and as stated earlier; its financial health. There have been discussions in the fast few weeks about the city's investment portfolio and a desire to receive quarterly reports in accordance with policy. Stokes stated that during his tenure as alderman, he had never seen a report on investments. Questions were asked of Finance Director / Acting City Administrator, Dennis Walsh about the investment firm that was handling the city's account, Walsh replied that he was handling those accounts himself. Walsh is wearing a few too many hats to be expected and frankly, I don't know how he does it. The meeting brought out the fact that an interim city administrator is on the way.

I have to address a concern with Alderman of Ward 2, Sonia Shyrock. Shryock, an Alderman for just over three months is trying to address the concerns of her constituents and her enthusiasm has resulted in some unhappy citizens in Ward 2. During the meeting of July 11, 2012, Shyrock pushed for, and the Board passed, the placement of a stop sign at Bear Creek Drive and North Point Prairie Road  Last week, she took a three-sixty and wants the sign taken down, it appears that she has gotten flooded with complaints and is now back-peddling in an attempt to make them happy. I think she is learning the hard way that you can't please everyone and maybe a little more homework is in order before taking Board action.

I'm going to stop here, there is more but there's another meeting tonight and I'll add to it the rest of what happened last6 week.