I loved the musical Chicago, and I can easily understand why it won six Academy Awards, including best picture. One song in particular; Razzle-Dazzle, was brought to mind after watching the award-winning performance of our Board of Aldermen during "(ID 4498) Ethics Discussion."
The subject was to deal with Mayor Guccione's use of his office to campaign for an Alderman during the past election. The topic was placed on the Agenda of April 24th and pulled off prior to the meeting; it was then placed on last night's agenda. Tension ran high when three citizens spoke in open forum during the meeting of April 10th, when Ward 2 Alderman, Sonya Sryock, brought it back up during her Alderman Report. It was stated that the subject being discussed by the Board was not on the agenda and should not be taking place. Ward 1 Alderman, Cheryl Kross, asked that it be placed on the agenda as a discussion item.
OPENING CHORUS:
Give 'em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'em Give 'em the old razzle dazzle
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Bead and feather 'em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?
What if your hinges all are rusting?
What if, in fact, you're just disgusting?
Razzle dazzle 'em
And they'll never catch wise!
Now for the cast and performance: (We hope you enjoy the show)
ACT ONE:
Opening the curtain the scene begins. After all of the important Bills and Resolutions are voted on, Shryock will be excused for personal reasons, subsequently not present for the discussion she inspired. Exit stage left. This leaves on stage, but silent through the discussion, the following: Mayor Nickolas Guccione, plus the Aldermen of Ward 3, Michael Hays and President of the Board, Rick Stokes rocking in their rocking chairs. Curtain closes.
ACT TWO:
Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle 'em
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous
Row after row will crow vociferous
Give 'em the old flim flam flummox
Fool and fracture 'em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?
Roar, roar, roar!
Throw 'em a fake and a finagle
They'll never know you're just a bagel,
Razzle dazzle 'em
And they'll beg you for more!
Curtain up, enter Kross, stage right: She speaks for the now-absent Shryock and begins a cryptic and lengthy question to the City Attorney, never once addressing the actions of the Mayor or his violations. The audience is disappointed in her poor acting performance.
ACT ONE:
Opening the curtain the scene begins. After all of the important Bills and Resolutions are voted on, Shryock will be excused for personal reasons, subsequently not present for the discussion she inspired. Exit stage left. This leaves on stage, but silent through the discussion, the following: Mayor Nickolas Guccione, plus the Aldermen of Ward 3, Michael Hays and President of the Board, Rick Stokes rocking in their rocking chairs. Curtain closes.
ACT TWO:
Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle 'em
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous
Row after row will crow vociferous
Give 'em the old flim flam flummox
Fool and fracture 'em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?
Roar, roar, roar!
Throw 'em a fake and a finagle
They'll never know you're just a bagel,
Razzle dazzle 'em
And they'll beg you for more!
Curtain up, enter Kross, stage right: She speaks for the now-absent Shryock and begins a cryptic and lengthy question to the City Attorney, never once addressing the actions of the Mayor or his violations. The audience is disappointed in her poor acting performance.
Enter City Attorney, Paul Rost, stage right: Rost talks about the "Ethics Policy" and explains why there are no violations. He is the only member of the cast to read the mind of Kross by saying, "I assume you are talking about the campaign brochure using the office of the mayor endorsement." No one responded so then Rost says, "However there is a 'Political Activity Policy.'" He gave a lawyerly speech carefully outlining the intent of the policy and finally says, "The board could take action." The audience rises to their feet to cheer the news. Both Kross and Rost exit stage right.
ACT THREE:
Give 'em the old double whammy
Daze and dizzy 'em
Back since the days of old Methuselah
Everyone loves the big bambooz-a-ler
Give 'em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger 'em
When you're in trouble, go into your dance
Though you are stiffer than a girder
They'll let you get away with murder
Razzle dazzle 'em
And you've got a romance
Enter Alderman Chris Gard, stage right: Gard starts his "We are not the Judicial Branch," speech saying how they cannot pass judgement on anyone. The crowd is stunned; they cannot believe that Gard actually said it. Gard exits stage right.
Enter Alderman Forrest Gossett, stage left. "I am a firm believer in the First Amendment, and I will fight to the death any one's right to freedom of speech." The audience cheers and waves flags, but they don't know why. It's reminiscent of a George M. Cohen play. Curtain close.
CLOSING CHORUS:
Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle 'em
Show 'em the first rate sorceror you are
Long as you keep 'em way off balance
How can they spot you've got no talent
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Razzle Dazzle 'em
And they'll make you a star!
CRITIC'S REVIEW
City Attorney, Paul Rost, gets rave reviews, but the actions of our Aldermen last night were a well-rehearsed choreography of smoke and mirrors the likes of which has never been seen in Wentzville City Hall. Voters should be up in arms about the precedent they set last night. Mayor Nickolas Guccione was just pardoned a second time, and I hope the citizens of Wentzville won't forget it. I'm sure that Guccione will come on strong with his dirty politics next year as usual, when he works hard to replace Gossett, Shryock, and Stokes. I think our regular board went camping, and the board that was present last night were all actors—every one of them. This was a display of pure politics, not justice.
ACT THREE:
Give 'em the old double whammy
Daze and dizzy 'em
Back since the days of old Methuselah
Everyone loves the big bambooz-a-ler
Give 'em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger 'em
When you're in trouble, go into your dance
Though you are stiffer than a girder
They'll let you get away with murder
Razzle dazzle 'em
And you've got a romance
Enter Alderman Chris Gard, stage right: Gard starts his "We are not the Judicial Branch," speech saying how they cannot pass judgement on anyone. The crowd is stunned; they cannot believe that Gard actually said it. Gard exits stage right.
Enter Alderman Forrest Gossett, stage left. "I am a firm believer in the First Amendment, and I will fight to the death any one's right to freedom of speech." The audience cheers and waves flags, but they don't know why. It's reminiscent of a George M. Cohen play. Curtain close.
CLOSING CHORUS:
Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle 'em
Show 'em the first rate sorceror you are
Long as you keep 'em way off balance
How can they spot you've got no talent
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Razzle Dazzle 'em
And they'll make you a star!
CRITIC'S REVIEW
City Attorney, Paul Rost, gets rave reviews, but the actions of our Aldermen last night were a well-rehearsed choreography of smoke and mirrors the likes of which has never been seen in Wentzville City Hall. Voters should be up in arms about the precedent they set last night. Mayor Nickolas Guccione was just pardoned a second time, and I hope the citizens of Wentzville won't forget it. I'm sure that Guccione will come on strong with his dirty politics next year as usual, when he works hard to replace Gossett, Shryock, and Stokes. I think our regular board went camping, and the board that was present last night were all actors—every one of them. This was a display of pure politics, not justice.
This morning I have to say; I'm truly ashamed to say, I live in Wentzville!
I watched the city video and Rost did say that this board could do something about it. What the hell are they thinking?
ReplyDeleteAs much as I would like to see Mayor Nic squirm, the board was right to avoid turning Nic into a victim; see Ellisville for an example.
ReplyDeleteJust don't be surprised if he repeats his actions next year. A motion that included a reprimand would have been appropriate. Instead, he received a total pass, and the board looked weak. What was the point?
I disagree that the Mayor would be made out to be the victim, he stated on record that he was responsible for the flyer.
DeleteI do agree with; "What was the point." I'm curious why the discussion item was on the agenda, and why the Aldermen did nothing, given what Attorney Rost said.
The women on the Board are the only ones who are willing to stand TALL and call the bluff of the Mayor. The men on the Board are losing credibility with the citizens. Did the cat get the tongue of the chairman of the Board?? Where was BULLDOG when he was needed for support. We don't need a long winded filibuster from the Alderwomen to show they can get things done either like seems to be the case with the men on the Board..
DeleteThe board did nothing when they had the chance to finally make a statement for the citizens. The pseudo-board just walked away and let the mayor off. Maybe it's time to impeach the board for failure to carry out their oath of office and start all over.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea. Either do your job or move over so someone with guts can get it done.
DeleteAfter seeing the Open Forum at the last Board meeting and seeing Mr. Darrel Lackey's comments I truly believe that the people of Wentzville missed the boat by not electing him to the Ward 3 Alderman position over Mr. Hays. He has honesty, character, sincerity and the fortitude to stand up to the Board and the Mayor for what and who he believes in. He has my vote and support for all he does for the City of Wentzville.
DeleteHe is a 1st Class gentleman and citizen for the city of Wentzville.
After seeing the telecast of the meeting it became apparent that Mr. Hays wasn't the only Alderman who is probably in the Mayor's pocket. At least the AlderWomen are trying to stand up for the citizens of Wentzville and should be applauded for having the fortitude to speak-up.
ReplyDeleteThey'll get our vote the next time around.