As promised, I'm back with more from our Wentzville City Hall. Seems we are having another rash of employees abandoning Mayor Guccione's dingy. Wednesday night's meeting brought the news that a key engineer to the Heartland Park handed in his resignation.
Public Works Director, Ms. Susan Mueller asked the board to grant $26K to hire an outside firm to continue work in the engineer's absence, in order to avoid delays. Purchasing Director, Jerry Hillin stated; "There's an emergency clause in the purchasing policy that allows for the mayor to sign the contract so there would be no construction delay. I will have the document on your desk for your signature first thing in the morning." As I expected, Guccione would prove—once again—that he is incapable of doing his job, part of which entails making "emergency" decisions. "I won't sign this without a head-nod from the aldermen," Guccione replied. In response to Guccione's ridiculous request, President of the Board, Rick Stokes said, "You're the mayor, this topic is not on the agenda for a consensus of the aldermen."
God help the City, and all of us, if we were endangered by a real emergency and waiting for our pseudo-mayor to get his nod from the aldermen. Does anyone sense a trend in his brand of lack-leadership, or as some say, am I picking on him again? I've said it a thousand times; these aldermen need to stop bailing him out! Let him do his damn job by himself. So what if the city falters, the citizens need to know just who they elected.
In a later discussion about revising the ethics policy, Alderman Sonya Shyrock asked, "Can we add something in the Ethics Policy about morals?" I wonder who she was talking about Mr. Mayor? It's funny because as the discussion went on, it got into policemen being able to run for office and still keep their cop job. One point made was that they could campaign but weren't allowed to say or advertise that they were officers of the law. Guccione said "If they were campaigning and had a friend with them, the friend could mention it. I guess there's a way around everything." Leave it to a pardoned, well-practiced, unethical, political sneak to dwell on sidestepping the law—God help us.
In his alderman report, Stokes talked about a developer who would like to build up the Wentzville Parkway near the intersection of Highway 61. This end of the Parkway has been overlooked for over fifteen years while the City offered tax-incentives to everyone and their brother to build at the other end near Highway 70. Stokes asked the board if they would consider investigating the possibility. After some discussion, every board member, save one, had a positive response, that one was Ward 1 Alderman, Cheryl Kross.
For some unknown reason, Kross has it in for Ward 3. Last year she flipped on her vote to accept Guccione's unpopular appointment of Michael Hays to the Ward 3 seat, and now she's against investigating tax-incentives to develop the Ward 3 end of the Wentzville Parkway. Last May I noticed certain changes in Kross' deportment and it inspired an article entitled; TTC (Third Term Crazies). Today, I'm convinced that she thinks; it's ok for her to interfere with the development of other wards but roars like a tiger if any other alderman is against benefiting her Ward 1. Five Aldermen saw the advantage of investigating tax-incentives for the possible development of the ignored section of the Parkway including her ward-mate Alderman Forrest Gossett, but she doesn't even want to let the city look at the possibility. I have a question for Alderman Kross: What has Michael Hays contributed to the meetings, or city, in the ten months he's been in the Ward 3 seat, that you thought was worth flipping your vote for? And, why would you oppose the obviously needed injection of commerce on the Ward 3 end of the Parkway? I'm now convinced that she is deeply in the grip of the third-term crazies.
I've run on a little longer than I wanted to today because there was so much to come out of the meeting of August 14th, but I did want to leave you with one more little tid-bit: There were comments made about Ranken Technical College and how in their first year they have exceeded their three year projections regarding enrollment. In this time of reflection, I can't help but quote our illustrious Mayor Nickolas Guccione; Ranken was a great partnership." He couldn't be more correct, but it begs the question; Mr. Mayor, why did you oppose Ranken coming to Wentzville, and vote against the Ranken partnership at every single opportunity you could find (three times)? You even campaigned against it, I'm surprised someone doesn't need to remind you to breathe.
PSS: The fuse has been lit and I got a ho-lota-mo, see you soon.
Public Works Director, Ms. Susan Mueller asked the board to grant $26K to hire an outside firm to continue work in the engineer's absence, in order to avoid delays. Purchasing Director, Jerry Hillin stated; "There's an emergency clause in the purchasing policy that allows for the mayor to sign the contract so there would be no construction delay. I will have the document on your desk for your signature first thing in the morning." As I expected, Guccione would prove—once again—that he is incapable of doing his job, part of which entails making "emergency" decisions. "I won't sign this without a head-nod from the aldermen," Guccione replied. In response to Guccione's ridiculous request, President of the Board, Rick Stokes said, "You're the mayor, this topic is not on the agenda for a consensus of the aldermen."
God help the City, and all of us, if we were endangered by a real emergency and waiting for our pseudo-mayor to get his nod from the aldermen. Does anyone sense a trend in his brand of lack-leadership, or as some say, am I picking on him again? I've said it a thousand times; these aldermen need to stop bailing him out! Let him do his damn job by himself. So what if the city falters, the citizens need to know just who they elected.
In a later discussion about revising the ethics policy, Alderman Sonya Shyrock asked, "Can we add something in the Ethics Policy about morals?" I wonder who she was talking about Mr. Mayor? It's funny because as the discussion went on, it got into policemen being able to run for office and still keep their cop job. One point made was that they could campaign but weren't allowed to say or advertise that they were officers of the law. Guccione said "If they were campaigning and had a friend with them, the friend could mention it. I guess there's a way around everything." Leave it to a pardoned, well-practiced, unethical, political sneak to dwell on sidestepping the law—God help us.
In his alderman report, Stokes talked about a developer who would like to build up the Wentzville Parkway near the intersection of Highway 61. This end of the Parkway has been overlooked for over fifteen years while the City offered tax-incentives to everyone and their brother to build at the other end near Highway 70. Stokes asked the board if they would consider investigating the possibility. After some discussion, every board member, save one, had a positive response, that one was Ward 1 Alderman, Cheryl Kross.
For some unknown reason, Kross has it in for Ward 3. Last year she flipped on her vote to accept Guccione's unpopular appointment of Michael Hays to the Ward 3 seat, and now she's against investigating tax-incentives to develop the Ward 3 end of the Wentzville Parkway. Last May I noticed certain changes in Kross' deportment and it inspired an article entitled; TTC (Third Term Crazies). Today, I'm convinced that she thinks; it's ok for her to interfere with the development of other wards but roars like a tiger if any other alderman is against benefiting her Ward 1. Five Aldermen saw the advantage of investigating tax-incentives for the possible development of the ignored section of the Parkway including her ward-mate Alderman Forrest Gossett, but she doesn't even want to let the city look at the possibility. I have a question for Alderman Kross: What has Michael Hays contributed to the meetings, or city, in the ten months he's been in the Ward 3 seat, that you thought was worth flipping your vote for? And, why would you oppose the obviously needed injection of commerce on the Ward 3 end of the Parkway? I'm now convinced that she is deeply in the grip of the third-term crazies.
I've run on a little longer than I wanted to today because there was so much to come out of the meeting of August 14th, but I did want to leave you with one more little tid-bit: There were comments made about Ranken Technical College and how in their first year they have exceeded their three year projections regarding enrollment. In this time of reflection, I can't help but quote our illustrious Mayor Nickolas Guccione; Ranken was a great partnership." He couldn't be more correct, but it begs the question; Mr. Mayor, why did you oppose Ranken coming to Wentzville, and vote against the Ranken partnership at every single opportunity you could find (three times)? You even campaigned against it, I'm surprised someone doesn't need to remind you to breathe.
PSS: The fuse has been lit and I got a ho-lota-mo, see you soon.
Is Mayor Guccione so unsure of himself that he won't make a decision without board approval? What kind of leadership is this?
ReplyDeleteI'm sick and tired of you constantly hammering the mayor. He is a good and very capable representative of our city, and now you're going after Cheryl Kross who is one of the sweetest ladies in Wentzville. You need to close your gopher hole and quit talking bad about our city government. Bless you Nick keep doing what you are doing by looking out for our citizens. We love you.
ReplyDelete"Capable representative of our city," and our current mayor, should never be used in the same sentence. The only thing I agree with you on is; "...Cheryl Kross...is one of the sweetest ladies in Wentzville," but she needs to look at what's going on and start working with the other aldermen again. Her private war with ward 3 needs to have a cease fire.
DeleteThank you for your heartfelt comment.
Alderman Kross needs to stand up straight and tall again and handle city business as she did in the past. She has the moxy and fortitude to take the heat but needs to recharge herself somehow. She has nothing to fear because the citizens are staunchly behind her. Just look at the outcome of the last election when her opposition had tons of money and backing of the mayor at his political rallies and she still won her seat easily. It's because the citizens believed in her and her ability.
Delete"...close your gopher hole..."? I beg your pardon?
DeleteTo the person referring to "Capable representative of city government". What is so interesting for all those in favor of your City Mayor is their words are strong and supportive, yet they themselves lack the courage to show their name.
ReplyDeleteCity's CEO/Mayor Track Record in 1 year & 4 months
City Administrator - 100% turnover (vacant
Directors - 33% turnover
Salary - 75% turnover (5 vacant
In my experience of covering city's such as Wentzville this is a first in upper management turnover. Your city will not overcome this deficient for years. I listened to the mayor's report for each of the meetings June, July, and August. The mayor has not address a single remedy or provided direction to staff in hiring replacements.
To the person who did not sign your name in saying your mayor is strong and capable. If that is true where is the personnel plan in strengthening your city. Where???
Side note: Thursday I stopped by city hall to pick information. City staff was well dressed in business attire, very professional in appearance. There was your strong and capable mayor in a tee shirt and jeans wearing a ball cap sitting at his desk. I ask a city worker were jeans allowed and the reply was on Fridays only. I guess the strong and capable leader missed that memo. I will return to city hall in 2 weeks on a thursday and can't wait to see if he finally read the memo.
So what would happen if the aldermen did stop doing Mayor Guccione's job? Would the consequences be that terrible?
ReplyDeleteIf the Aldermen continue to do the Mayor's job and make decisions for him the question needs to asked "Do we need to have him or any Mayor in the city". There are alternative forms of city government available under Missouri law and I would submit that the acting City Administrator/Police Chief Lisa Harrison investigate that issue for the citizens of the City of Wentzville and report back back, at the request of the citizens, in a city meeting what options are available to the city to change it's form of government. The city should be kept apprised of options for effective city management.
DeleteIf the alderman are doing the mayor's job then they should split his salary to pay for all the gas they need for driving around the city doing his job.
DeleteI'm sure Mayor Guccione could create all sorts of chaos if just tried.
DeleteHere's a news flash: Chief Harrison, acting City Administrator has resigned from the City Administrator's job to go back to being Chief of Police. It is now incumbent upon our ever eager Mayor Guccione to appoint another. Something tells me that Gooch will be waiting for a "nod from the Aldermen."
ReplyDeleteHere's your chance to use your executive powers—Gooch. Maybe since you're so anxious to "promote from within," you could appoint one of your street cleaners, or lifeguards, or your uncle!
You bring up a good point; it is his appointment. He is the one who should bring it to the aldermen, not the other way around.
DeleteC'mon guys and gals on the board, allow him to bring someone forward, we all need a good laugh.
I watched the video and your account is fairly accurate. One thing you didn't mention was the discussion about the open Economic Development Manager position and whether or not to return it to a Director title.
ReplyDeleteThey talked about recruiting within and Alderwoman Sonia Shryock spoke of how many of the city employees don't have degrees and they are very hard working people. Then she said it: "You don't have to have an education to do this job." I wish I could have seen the faces of the staff who are all highly specialized and educated individuals. I think that was a real thoughtless thing to say.
Economic development takes more than working hard, it takes a specialized knowledge and education. I think Mrs. Shryock needs to apologize to every single staff person at that meeting for minimizing the qualifications of any staff position.
Her comment just shows that you do not need an education to be an alderwoman.
DeleteAlso shows Shryrock knows nothing about the employees.
ReplyDeleteNick might be a fair-to-middlin' mayor if the population was under 1000, but he is under water with 30,000 residents. If I'm not mistaken, there were more votes against than for him, I just wonder what the 28,000 residents would think if they knew they were represented by a mayor with so little business or finance skills?
ReplyDelete