Where Were You Ten Years Ago?

Last night's Alderman Work Session was into its fourth hour when I opted for jammie time and left. After an hour and a half discussion on signage, I felt like I'd just gotten off of a tilt-a-whirl. I'm convinced that the sign ordinance will never be satisfactory to anyone—there are just too many variables and First Amendment issues. The bottom line is; get ready for clowns, cows, balloons, and ball-headed hamburger hawkers lining the streets and intersections of Wentzville. The City will require the creatures to remain on their own property but I believe the Wentzville Police Department is going to have a ball enforcing that one. At any rate, in this age of highly skilled drivers using iPods, cell phones, texting, applying makeup, and eating fast foods while driving, one more distraction like reading signs waived by cartoon characters alongside the road is a piece of cake.

After listening for an hour about camping at the Rennaissance Faire, the subject of Wabash Days rose to the top. Alderman of Ward 2 Chris Gard adamantly opposed the City losing money on this event opting to turn the entire event over to the organizations in town. Parks Director Mary Jo Dessieux presented the history of the celebration and event volunteers from the Community Club, Historical Society, Downtown Business Association, and Chamber of Commerce followed with input. It was exclaimed by the speakers that Wabash Days is an economic development tool and it brings a much needed awareness to the village center and the city as a whole. Gard dismissed this argument saying that he does not believe it has helped redevelop the downtown area. "The money that was spent on Wabash Days over the past ten years would have been better spent in real improvements to the area."

The Board of Aldermen are looking for anything that would equal less spending and smaller government—I applaud their efforts. Gard continuously threw around a number in excess of $100,000 over the last ten years but I question how much real redevelopment would or could have been done for that amount of money. That's a whole $10,000 a year, they might have been able to throw up a few new street signs for $10K but I even question that.

For years the organizations of Wentzville asked the City to build a crosswalk over the railroad tracks to help keep pedestrians safe and clean up the unsightly and dangerous crossing but they couldn't find the money. Those same organizations took the initative to donate the cost of the crossing before the City took action and actually built the crosswalk. A plaque stands at the corner of Linn and East Allen street dedicating the crosswalk paid for by those organizations—oh and, the groups paid for that too.

Except for the rebuilding of Business 61 (which is hardly the village center), the recent improvements of the still incomplete Church Street, filling potholes or fixing broken infrastructure, the City has done nothing to rebuild downtown. The organizations and business owners of Wentzville have done more for the redevelopment of the downtown area than the City ever did over the past ten years.

There was one Mayor who was content and even went out of the way to let our old town decay and self-implode so it could be flattened for new homes and buildings. There was a time not too far past when our village center was terribly run down but thanks to the many business owners and organizations of our downtown community that trend has reversed. Wentzville's rich heritage is kicking in downtown and the Wabash Days event is credited by those same business owners and organizations as helping inspire new businesses to open and repair the rundown appearance of our inner city. If Alderman Gard would like a list of those renovated buildings I would be happy to provide it for him.

I have to thank Mayor Guccione for his words of support of the event; "My family and I have enjoyed volunteering for the past several years at Wabash Days, the people who attend like the event." Aldermen Sonya Shyrock of Ward 2 and Forrest Gossett of Ward 1 also gave encouraging words. I'm sure there are people who are unhappy that the City loses money on Wentzville's special events but I'm equally sure that those same people may enjoy the fireworks and Fourth of July parade and celebration, or the soapbox derby in which their children participate. Hundreds of families enjoy the annual Easter egg hunt and holiday night lights. Others get into the Christmas Parade and some might not even like the name, preferring "Holiday Parade." The bottom line is; all of these add value to living in Wentzville, you can't put a number on that. The last estimate says Wabash Days draws around 13,000 people into the village center and not all of them are from Wentzville. People come from other counties including St. Louis and even other states, they come to Wentzville that weekend and spend their money—that's called economic development!

I understand the cost-cutting efforts of this Board, I really do but the questions needs to be asked to Alderman Gard: This is the youngest Board of Aldermen I've ever seen with the most time in office being held by Alderman Cheryl Kross of four years. When was the very first time you walked the streets of the village center? Could it be that you never saw downtown Wentzville before Wabash Days ten years ago? Is it possible that you never saw the great change in aesthetics of our village center over the last ten years? Would it be a stretch that you have no idea of the economic impact of Wabash Days to our village center over the last ten years? Where were you ten years ago?

(The Wentzvillian has just learned of the passing of Mayor Guccione's mother yesterday morning. Our prayers and sympathy is with Mayor Guccione and his family during this time of grieving.)