In the contemporary history of Wentzville I have seen only one Mayor use his power of pardon on someone. Mayor Paul Lambi used his authority when he pardoned Mayor-elect, Nickolas Giuccione for violation of copyright laws. Guccione's violation was criminal and would have carried hefty fines from both; the City and the United States Library of Congress.
At the time Lambi issued the pardon, he had big problems of his own—the Aldermen had turned him over to the Missouri Ethics Commission and the County Prosecuting Attorney. He was angry at the Board of Aldermen for what he called "a witch hunt," and the pardon of Giuccione was his last great act of defiance—kinda like the mouse who gave a hawk the finger just before it swooped down and ate him. Although I don't agree with Lambi giving Guccione a pardon for crimes against the City, I can appreciate it's use for a crime of such magnitude. But as a tax-paying citizen of Wentzville, I am still ashamed that this city elected a man who was pardoned for crimes against the City, one week before being sworn-in.
All of the afore mentioned leads to the point of this post. The executive power to override laws is serious, and should be used for subjects of great importance, to flaunt this power on trivial matters is a dangerous commodity. Mayor Guccione has a record of parroting, and a steep learning curve when it comes to realizing his new-found executive powers. It started with Guccione's nine month long "it's my appointment, It's my appointment" speech, when he whined and whined to get his pal, Michael Hays in the Ward 3 seat. What a revolting development that turned out to be.
Anyway, Guccione tested his new found powers by pardoning a convenience store owner for being late on renewing his liquor license. My sources told me that there was going to be no monetary penalty but the store owner would need to wait thirty days before they could reapply. What a vulgar display of abuse of executive privilege, he just bought two or three votes—that is if the store owners even live in Wentzville.
I wonder if that means that anytime, anyone is late on renewing any kind of license, or doesn't comply with a non-criminal code, Guccione would wield his mighty sword of pardon and touch the shoulders of the kneeled non-compliant violator? Through the negligence of the applicant, he or she was granted a pardon from complying with the laws of Wentzville of which we must all acquiesce. C'mon, Is our mayor related to Obama? Evidence is building.
Mayor Nickolas Guccione has made blunders and screwed up on numerous occasions, but this is a poke in the eyes to all responsible business owners in the City. I'd bet that if any of my readers get a code violation or a non-compliance ticket, Guccione would run to you with a pardon in hand especially if your a friend or a registered voter. It must be fun to be the great and all powerful wonderful wizard of Wentzville—or a goose who just wakes up in a new world every day.
PSS: What say?
Anyway, Guccione tested his new found powers by pardoning a convenience store owner for being late on renewing his liquor license. My sources told me that there was going to be no monetary penalty but the store owner would need to wait thirty days before they could reapply. What a vulgar display of abuse of executive privilege, he just bought two or three votes—that is if the store owners even live in Wentzville.
I wonder if that means that anytime, anyone is late on renewing any kind of license, or doesn't comply with a non-criminal code, Guccione would wield his mighty sword of pardon and touch the shoulders of the kneeled non-compliant violator? Through the negligence of the applicant, he or she was granted a pardon from complying with the laws of Wentzville of which we must all acquiesce. C'mon, Is our mayor related to Obama? Evidence is building.
Mayor Nickolas Guccione has made blunders and screwed up on numerous occasions, but this is a poke in the eyes to all responsible business owners in the City. I'd bet that if any of my readers get a code violation or a non-compliance ticket, Guccione would run to you with a pardon in hand especially if your a friend or a registered voter. It must be fun to be the great and all powerful wonderful wizard of Wentzville—or a goose who just wakes up in a new world every day.
PSS: What say?
Mr. Mayor, I got a parking ticket in front of my home late last week. Since it's a nonviolent or moving violation ticket, will you mail my pardon to the police clerk on Schroeder Creek Road. Thanks a million pal, I didn't vote for you last time but as soon as I get the pardon, I'll be in your corner for the next election.
ReplyDeleteSince Lambi admitted guilt to the MEC and fined a paltry $200, everybody thinks it's over. Watch Wednesday's meeting of the 24th. There will be an executive session that I believe will be on that subject. I look to see charges filed by the city and Lambi indicted by the County Prosecutor. Too bad Gooch can't pardon him, things are about to heat up again!
ReplyDeleteI thought pardons were given only on criminal cases. It's outrageous that our mayor would pardon some business owner because they didn't apply for a liquor license on time. It's incumbent upon them to license all necessary aspects of their business in accordance with our ordinances. What you did showed a great lack of responsibility on your part. People abide by our laws or they choose not to, you are not a flipping King and we who do take the laws of Wentzville seriously are not your serfs.
ReplyDeleteI watched the video and I heard our mayor say; "It was kind of an emergency." Mayor, Some irresponsible business owner who does not comply with his or her licensing deadline obligations does not know how to run a business and because they don't, it does not constitute an emergency on the part city.
Leave it to the liberals to try and babysit everyone else and give us the bill. Responsible people need to be aware of our Mayor's abuse of his power. Thank you Mr. or Ms. Wentzvillian for bringing this out in the open, I only wish it were mandatory that every voter reads this blog, thank you again.
This pardon by the Mayor is a disappointment. A businessman is responsible for the ethics and conduct of his business. If he can't remember to get his liquor license on time he should not be in business. This business should be boycotted by the residents and they should take their business to other establishments who do the right thing. Anyone who begs the Mayor for mercy because of it's incompetence should be shut down. The city does not need that business that bad----or does it???
DeleteWhy did he do this?
ReplyDeleteBecause he can!
DeleteThis blog makes me sick. It is so biased and unfair. Mayor Nick is doing a great job and the ones who need to have a light shining on them is the aldermen. I watch their behaviors and listen very intently and believe this is the worse city council this city has had since the Ed Walsh days. They are an embarrassment to our city. Keep up the good work, Mayor Nick.
ReplyDeleteI have to laugh at anyone who claims to watch the aldermen closely, yet turn a blind eye on the worst mayor since the days of Ed Walsh.
DeleteIf you would watch the city meeting webcast you understand what is happening with the Mayor and his inability to manage the City. It is unfortunate that the complexity of city management is beyond the mayor's ability to grasp what is actually happening. He tries to do good. His heart has good intentions but his skill sets and financial abilities are his short suit as well as working with and managing a very competent set of Aldermen.
DeleteSorry Nick, but that's the truth!
As the song goes :"I beg your pardon, now you'll promise me a rose garden".
DeleteOr something like that.
Watch the webcast and then tell me that what is reported is inaccurate. It's spot on target. Walk the streets and talk to people about the facts and you'll get the correct info to blog about. The City is watching more than you can believe.
DeleteWhy in the hell would a mayor pardon someone for being late for applying for a liquor license? This whole abuse of executive powers is frightening. I'm glad I don't live in Wentzville and when I find out which business was granted the pardon, I'll never shop there...for anything.
ReplyDelete