The Race Is On

In just a couple of months it'll be election time again  and now that the deadline for the registration of candidates is passed we need to look at those who have decided to seek office. Last year's slate was filled with characters steeped in controversy, fortunately most of them have decided not to defile this election. Unfortunately for us, the leader of the underhanded hoard of last year's preditors will remain seated in City Hall for three more agonizing years—maybe. This devious group jumped on honest candidates like a school of piranhas on a naked missionary. Ethics was a huge concern last year and because Alderman Nick Guccione ran one of the most vile and unethical campaigns in the history of Wentzville the Aldermen found it necessary to amend municipal code. Coincidentally, that ordinance providing for a new "code of ethics" and adopting a "political activity policy" was made law last Wednesday evening. That ordinance change will implement legal recourse should another band of knuckleheads want to abuse the system. To my way of thinking, since it was created to stop unethical behavior like that which our mayor used to get elected it should be called the Anti-Guccione Policy.

The Horse Race

Ward 1

Cheryl Kross (Incumbent): Alderman Kross is seeking her third term representing the residents of Ward 1. She is credited with being the first Alderman to crack the ultra-liberal nut(s) that had a grip on our city for too many years. She took the chauvinistic taunting of Mayor Lambi for three years and hung in trying to bring some sense of order to an extremely dysfunctional Board of Aldermen led by the Lurchettes. Her conservative values led to Wentzville's budget finally being free of excessive waste and feel-good spending. She has been one of Wentzville's most responsive to concerns of her constituents regardless of the magnitude of importance. In my opinion, Alderman Kross has earned a third term.

Robert Hussey: Mr Hussey is a friend of Mayor Guccione. He has experience with being a City Administrator and Guccione tried to get him in the back door by attempting to influence the Alderman. He was told that applicants are not supposed to have any contact with the Mayor or Aldermen through the process yet he still knocked on one alderman's door and the Gooch is still trying to push him into City Hall. Since he is supported by a mayor that I find totally incompetent, I urge voters to disregard this candidate.

Ward 2



Chris Gard (Unopposed)

Ward 3



Darrel Lackey: Lackey is a long time resident of Wentzville and a very active community-minded citizen. He is a financial advisor with an office here in the Trinity Building and very informed regarding city politics. His record of public service is long:.

• Wentzville Alderman, Ward 2 1987-1992 (3 terms)
• Wentzville Mayor 1992-1995 (2 terms)
• Wentzville Alderman, Ward 3 2002-2006 (2 terms)
• Wentzville Township Committeeman 2004-2010 (3 terms)

Darrel Lacky has been and will again be a strong asset to Wentzville City Hall. My vote goes for Darrel Lackey to be Alderman of Ward 3.

Michael (Mike) Hays (appointed by Mayor): Most people who are familiar with Wentzville politics know the story about Hays. He is the person that Mayor Guccione was talking about when trying to fill his vacated Ward 3 seat; "It's my appointment, it's my appointment, bla, bla, bla." The Aldermen rejected this appointment until Guccione finally appointed John Luby, who was accepted. A month later Luby hands in his resignation, walked off the job, and Guccione's crying started all over again; "It's my appointment, it's my appointment, bla, bla, bla." Rather than listen to Guccione's constant whining they approved his appointment and Hays was installed. I am represented in Ward 3 by someone who withdrew from the general election of 2012 in anticipation of Guccione getting elected and being appointed by the mayor to his vacated seat. I disapprove of Hays representing me and had he not withdrawn last year he would have been crushed by Alderman Rick Stokes reelection. Guccione will use all his resources getting his buddy elected whether it's good for the city or not.

Linda L. Wright: Ms. Wright in unknown in Wentzville politics.

Municipal Judge

Steve Martin: (Incumbent) Judge Martin was elected against a field of six candidates in the 2011 election. His service over the past two years has resulted in the restoration of the Police budget which was almost destroyed by his predecessor. He is revered by the Police Department and City Hall as a good and fair judge. The people should be proud to have Judge Martin on our Municipal Court bench.

Michael Carter: Michael Carter served as Wentzville's Municipal Judge from 2009 to 2011 when he lost his reelection bid to our current Judge Martin. Carter was disliked by our Police Department due to his habit of reducing fines set by ordinance and releasing prisoners. His actions reduced the police budget so much that our Mayor Lambi and Aldermen took action to limit his authority and even talked of having him removed from office. Carter created an unhealthy and even unsafe environment in our city for the residents of Wentzville because of the disturbance of our police patrolmen. Carter campaigned actively for Nick Guccione and there's no doubt his support will be reciprocated by the mayor. For my money, Carter is almost as big a smart-ass as I am—and that's saying something. If you have thoughts of voting for Carter, ask any Wentzville police officer who served during his term as judge for their opinion of his time on the bench.