I'm Ready!

 

There is an interesting thread of discussion on my last post of Thursday, December 12, 2013: The Push Is On! (click here), that I believe needs to be addressed. It revolves around the possibility of Vann Sample coming out of retirement to reclaim his Ward 2 seat which is currently occupied by Sonya Shryock.

 

Sample left his service to Wentzville government due to circumstances with his day job and consequently served only one term. The seat was up for grabs and candidates came out of the woodwork to run against Donna Sherwood who had unsuccessfully run in every election for Ward 2 since 2010, she was Guccione's first choice. At the same time, Sherwood was Nickolas Guccione's campaign manager in 2012 and they ran what many believe to be the dirtiest-mud-slinging event in the history of Wentzville Politics. Her opponents were newcomers, Jeremy Pritchett and Sonya Shryock. Late in the campaign it was found that Pritchett was actually campaigning with Sherwood and Guccione in an effort to split the vote against Shryock to allow Sherwood to win and serve Guccione's wishes on the Board. Voters got wise to Guccione's plan and Sherwood lost the election, gathering fewer votes than either of the political rookies, Pritchett and Shryock. Guccione had underestimated Sherwood's level of public unpopularity.

 

Shryock won the election and was nurtured by a very strong board. There for a while, even though it became evident that Shryock was in way over her head she followed the conservative members of the board; Rick Stokes, Chris Gard, Forrest Gossett, and Cheryl Kross. Progress for the city continued without a hitch in spite of newly elected Mayor Nickolas Guccione's governmental incompetence, and the city sustained a fair level of accountability. Once Kross joined forces with Guccione and schmoozed Shryock to do the same, everything changed. Before long, Shryock began feeling empowered and led the charge (with Kross and Guccione) to remove Wentzville's legal services team. What's worse, she meddled in Chief of Police, Lisa Harrison's private affairs, it's uncertain what level of involvement Kross and Guccione played in this scandal, but I'm sure it will come to the surface. The events of that time were exposed on my post of November 4, 2013, The "Unholy Alliance" Exposed (click here).

 

The Wentzvillian polls say that Shryock's job performance is the absolute worst on the Board of Aldermen.  But I contend it's marginally better than that of the non-existent accomplishments of Ward 3 Alderman Michael Hays (both of whom suffer from delusions of adequacy) if you exclude the removal of our legal services and the scandal she started within the police department. I'm not exaggerating about their records, I defy either of them (or anyone) to publicly announce what they have accomplished since being elected. Guccione is excellent at exploiting a lack of government and political savvy and as a result he gravitated toward Hays and Shryock to do his bidding. The wild card in his goal of Board control is Kross, I had hoped she would have been smarter than him, but obviously she's not lived up to those expectations.

Should Sample throw into the mix next April, there's more than a good chance that he could regain his office and help turn back Guccione's folly. Rick Stokes should have no problem with his re-election even though Guccione will throw everything, and everyone he can find at him. The other question is if Forrest Gossett has earned enough points with his constituents to maintain his seat on the board. It will be interesting to see if Cheryl Kross, one time close confidant of Gossett will assist him with his campaign. Since she had her falling out with Stokes and snuggled up to Guccione she has turned her back on her old friend, leaving some doubt regarding her allegiance to Gossett, we will soon know.

Gossett is very well versed in policies and procedures, and government, calling for a "point of order" more than any other alderman. So much so that at one meeting Guccione sarcastically said to him, "So you're going to play lawyer again?" Guccione hates Gossett, but then again he hates Stokes too, so Gossett is in good company anyway. Guccione will put candidates up against Gossett but probably leave them pretty much to their own devices to beat Gossett by simply splitting the vote. Guccione's main focus next April will be trying to get Shryock re-elected and sling as much mud at Stokes as he can dream up. If Sample runs, Guccione will more than likely bring in a third candidate to split that vote too which could put Shryock in a precarious position. She's trusting the dirtiest campaign designer in recent history, a man who even threw his own campaign manager under the bus. I absolutely know that Shryock will get the short end of the stick because Guccione doesn't care who gets elected, as long as it's one of his recruits and not Vann Sample.

It's unfortunate that Guccione has started politicking during the board meetings already, he's making it so obvious that it shouldn't be a surprise if he's called for campaign policy violations before it's all over, but he'll find someone to blame. I'll be watching closely to see how many times he has Shryock bring up subjects for which Guccione will pick up the sword against Stokes and Gossett. If Shryock thinks Guccione will defend her, she's delusional. I sincerely hope she doesn't get into any more trouble than she's already in, but time will tell. I think the best thing she can do is bow gracefully out of the race before her inevitable legal problems begin and she's right in the middle of attention while in office, the news media is relentless and keen on scandals. Mayor Lambi did it and paid the price, it's good advice to be far from the media while in office, but taking good advice is not her strong suit. When her problems hit (and they will), her good buddies; Kross, Guccione, and Michael Hays will put as much distance between her and them as they possibly can. It's hard to find a political friend when you're under fire.

I had hoped not to get so deeply involved in reporting on the election already, but Guccione has started campaigning from the dais and the truth needs to be told — I'm ready!

 

A Muddy Elephant in the Snow

In only a month and a half we will be going to the polls to elect two Aldermen and our Municipal Judge here in Wentzville. It reminds me of another election when then-Mayor Vickie Bodecker stuffed the ballot with her hand-picked candidates. At the time she was frustrated that her conservative Board of Aldermen didn't subscribe to her ultra-liberal beliefs so she initiated one of the dirtiest campaigns (until Nick Guccione's of last year) ever to be held in Wentzville. Unfortunately, two of her bozos overthrew the conservative board that would have allowed her to cast tie-breaking votes had she been reelected. Fortunately, Paul Lambi was elected and for a year the balance of power remained just right of crazy, but that would all change the following year with the election of the ultra-left socialist Alderman Nickolas Guccione.

With Guccione on the Board creating a majority, things got real nuts in City hall. The Socialist board of that time took apart any resemblance of fiscal responsibility and they binged on useless and destructive legislation. The effect of their influence is still being felt today, employees being fired or quitting out of fear, audits and policy violations because of a lack of oversight, and Guccione is the only vestige of those chaotic times.

Mark Twain said; "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Guccione is trying to do the same thing he did last year and Bodecker did over nine years ago—stuff the board. That tactic set the city back for years to come by endorsing candidates who agreed with them rather than what's best for the city. If he were to be honest he'd have to admit that he has no interest in what's best for the city, it's all about him and his nonsense politics. If he were interested in creating a better city, he'd do what he does best (besides lying); follow—follow this Board of Aldermen who could make him a great Mayor instead of one who will go down in history as our worst.

Today, our Mayor is parading around town with Michael Hays and Robert Hussey in tow, introducing them as the best things since sliced bread. A little advice to them; check with some of the candidates he supported in the past and see what they have to say about him and his loyalty. Even better, ask his campaign manager of last year, see what she has to say about his ethics. In case you don't know, the Board of Aldermen just passed new ethics policies because of Alderman Nickolas Guccione's total lack of ethics, so if you want to follow his advice you'd better prepare yourselves for some fines. Guccione won't leave a paper trail when he stabs you in the back, he'll just slither away leaving you out there twisting in the wind, that's the way he does things.

I'm waiting for him to use his latest "campaign propaganda tool;" his weekly Newstime articles (that we all pay for) to hawk his recruits. He doesn't do anything different, he merely changes a few names and starts the motor running. You can smell his influence and he covers his tracks like a muddy elephant in the snow. He really believes that no one can see him coming or where he's been. Soon we'll see the old worn-out trash that he and Bodeker used for years in their campaigns to help Hays and Hussey smear and defame anyone who runs against them. One more thing; Guccione is campaigning for Michael Carter for for Municipal Judge but everyone knows he's a loser just like Guccione.

To the voters; Don't let Guccione get another foothold on dirty politics in Wentzville's City Hall. Reelect Alderman Cheryl Kross in Ward 1 and elect Darrel Lackey for Ward 3, as for Municipal Judge; incumbent Steve Martin is the man. Remember, a vote for Kross, Lackey, and Martin is a vote to keep Guccione frustrated for another year. Who knows, if we can't get rid of him maybe we could have him committed, he is definately not drooling out of both sides of his mouth.

More On The June 13th Meeting

Back on the meeting of the 13th, there were some really positive items discussed and I'd like to thank the Aldermen for bringing them forward. But first; why can't the city find an audio system that works? It seems to be getting worse with static, feedback, and what sounded like a Heuey strafing the City. Most of the Aldermen can be heard every time but the others hardly come through or are intermittent. What's worse, the Mayor is barely audible, I'm not sure it isn't by design because he mumbles so badly that nobody can understand his mutterings. I'm fairly positive that he isn't saying anything anyone wants to hear but just the same his blathering should be discernible if for no other reason than public record. I'm sure his lack of leadership would be enhanced to the public if we could hear and understand what comes out of his hole. The headsets don't seem to be working, why can't they mount microphones on the Diaz?

"ID # 3687 Business License Purpose" was of interest. I posted; "Business License Discussion" on February 6th of this year so I won't go into more detail other than report on what happened. The fee for a business license in Wentzville is currently $50, after a lengthy back and forth it the Aldermen decided to reduce it to $25. I believe it is a good start but still don't understand why small and micro-businesses pay the same as GM and WalMart. Is it too difficult to base business licence fees on revenues?

It was entertaining to watch this discussion, especially Mimesis Gucione, his head looked like it was mounted on a lazy-susan while the meeting drove on with Bulldog Stokes at the reigns, Guccione was content to lean back watch the meeting and look for opportunities when he could call a smoke-break so he go out front and burn another cigarette. I've watched a lot of Wentzville Aldermen meetings but I can't remember any of them requiring three breaks in one session, but they did that night. Three ten minute smoke breaks is cutting into every one's sleep Mr. Mayor, get on the patch.

I was pleased to see the City aggressively address the dangerous intersection of Highways P and 61. Ward 1 Alderman Forrest Gossett authored a letter to Governor Jay Nixon which was signed by all of the Aldermen and the Mimesis. He requested the Mayor to read it into record which he attempted to the best of his ability, unfortunately for him when he finished, Bulldog Stokes had to remind him that it was two pages long and he needed to read the second page. It is hoped that with the number of fatalities and injuries at this intersection, this letter will bring to light the seriousness of it's need for improvement.

Another interesting discussion was brought forward by Ward 2 Alderman Chris Gard regarding a change to City policy to disallow "campaigning in taxpayer funded city buildings." As you may know, Nick Guccione and his side-kick (campaign manager) Donna Sherwood made a habit of pandering and campaigning to employees during working hours in city facilities, namely the Law enforcement center. A number of changes to policies of the City are in process because of Guccione's unethical campaign strategies. Using City logos on campaign literature, illegal sign placements, and campaigning in City buildings are but a few being addressed. I've heard from some long-time former City politicians who say Nick Guccione's campaign was the dirtiest they had ever seen. I have to agree.

In conclusion, on my last blog I reported on the email which Acting City Administrator Dennis Walsh sent to the directors and Alderman at the order of our Commander and Chief Guccione. I urge my readers to watch the video of the discussion that evening. It's on the City Website: http://www.wentzvillemo.org/. Look under "Alderman Reports / Forrest Gossett." I would like you to see and judge for yourself the motives and or agenda of our newly elected Mayor.

Playing Favorites

I have received emails from anonymous people who accuse me of "playing favorites" in this past political election. They want to warn my readers that those candidates supported by The Wentzvillian will soon come under the knife when I turn on them. To those anonymous concerned citizens; you may be correct, The Wentzvillian may turn on them.

I was friends with Nick Guccione and his lovely wife Sandy long before he placed himself in a position of displaying unethical behavior. In my defense, I never turned on Donna Sherwood, her mode of operation was known long before I ever met her. She's been on the wrong side of every issue since her days of political leg breaking for Vickie Boedeker.

At any rate, Guccione came under the scornful eye of The Wentzvillian when he admitted to me his conspiracy to get hand-picked candidates elected to replace every Alderman up for re-election regardless of their record. He wanted people who agreed with his agenda, not people who represented the constituents of their particular ward. This practice is too common in politics today and could very well be one of the reasons the general consensus of Americans today is so negative when it comes to politics and politicians. This needs to change, it has been used in Wentzville since at least the 1980s.

The problem is, no one in the news media has balls enough to tell the voters about it, the conventional media deals with breaking news, not background news which doesn't sell papers. A perfect example was the alleged conflict of interest investigation involving Mayor Lambi. That investigation was going on long before it hit the St, Louis Post Dispatch and I doubt if Mark Schlinkman would have written it if one Alderman hadn't granted him an interview, that Alderman was Nick Guccione. Going against the advice of Wentzville's City Attorney, Guccione told Schlinkman the details of the investigation and the next day the story broke all over the county. The Wentzvillian watched and gathered information for months and posted it's speculations a good three or four weeks before the news media got it. Guccione's complaint that "I didn't do it, it's because of the blog, the blog did it," tipped off the conventional media that The Wentzvillian's allegations had some viability so they went to the weakest Alderman on the Board and got the whole story.

It's no secret that The Wentzvillian is an idealist in an imperfect world but that's no reason not to tell the facts of what's going on in our City government and to dislike what some people want to do to it. If it is found out that an Alderman or Mayor is doing anything other than representing the people while in City Hall, it will be reported here. If that is considered "turning on" someone then so be it, the voters need to have as much information as they can get to make intelligent decisions in the voting booth. Personally I applaud the voters for electing what I believe to be a very capable Board of Aldermen. I question their selection for Mayor but I think my fears will come out as our new Mayor gets involved in the matters facing our City. It's unfortunate that he did such a great job of fooling the voters and I think they'll see the error of their ways sooner rather than later. Wentzville will come under a barrage of conventional news media stories as time goes by and I think Mayor Guccione will be the subject.

As for "Playing Favorites," I guess you are correct. The Wentzvillian's favorites are Aldermen who represent the better interests of their constituents and the City. It also wants to see a Mayor who can lead Wentzville through difficult situations and bring honor to our City and its citizens. I believe that Mayor Lambi did that for the most part of eight years, I didn't agree with some of his ideas but I hope Mayor Guccione can do half the job he did. I'll be watching.

Rainbows and Lollipops

Congratulations are in order for Mayor-Elect Nick Guccione so when Mayor Lambi turns over the keys to the city it's time to look to the future. What is the future of Wentzville with Guccione at the reigns? He-Haw said it best; "Gloom, despair, and agony on" Wentzville, but I digress, in order to answer that question, first we need to set the stage and the cast is a dandy!

Ward 1, Forrest Gossett wins over one of Gooch's goons. Ward 2, Sonya Shryock outlasts Jeremy Pritchett, and best of all, Donna Sherwood loses her third consecutive election bid. Not only did Sherwood lose, she came in last place, now isn't that enough to put a big shit-eatin' grin on your puss? For you hard-core Sherwood fans, do not dismay, I'm sure she'll be back to run again next year with even more signs to plaster and annoy. Ward 3, "Bulldog" Rick Stokes beat two of Gooch's goons.

This leaves only one other seat to be named; Guccione will need to appoint someone to complete the term of his vacated seat. This will be fun, he promised his seat to either Rod Stratman or Curtis Davis but since he threw Davis under the bus after his poor showing at "Candidates Night," Davis is probably out of the picture. Guccione also made one other promise; if elected he would appoint Darrel Lackey, wouldn't that be a party, especially after he trashed Lackey so bad in the past month. So that leaves Stratmen, the problem with this appointment is; in my humble opinion, the Board will not approve the appointment of Guccione's next-door neighbor, and name someone else, wouldn't it be great if the Board appointed Darrel Lackey! Just imagine for a moment, the Ward 3 Aldermen sit on either side of the Mayor, that would put a falsely accused "Bulldog" Stokes on his left hand and a trashed Lackey on his right, I get goose-bumps just thinking about it, what a treat that would be for Mayor Guccione.

Guccione doesn't realize that being Mayor requires dealing with the County, State, and worst of all a Board of Aldermen who probably haven't forgotten his mud-slinging campaign where he insulted every one of them. Things are not looking good for the Gooch. As I've stated before he has no relationships with anyone at the County or the State level and he has a Board that he's admitted he can't get along with. Normally the acclimation of a new Mayor takes awhile but with the roadblocks he's created, he may never assimilate. But that doesn't matter to him, he's the Mayor after all, the great and powerful, all-mighty potentate of Wentzville—good luck with that. I'm going to have a good time watching Tricky Nicky worm his way through the meetings and his duties of office.

Wentzville will suffer due to his lack of influence and communication skills. I don't have a clue what his purpose is but hope he has one somewhere otherwise Wentzville will stumble along struggling to maintain pace with the rest of the County. I have the feeling that he thinks being Mayor is an honorary position that requires nothing on his part, it's one big party. I think he'll change his mind about that very soon, he's on his own and I hope his butcher shop experience has prepared him to run this city.

I fear for the future of Wentzville with Guccione at the helm, I am certain there's an iceberg ahead with Wentzville's name on it, and if I know him, he will be the first rat off of the the sinking ship. He's not good under pressure and I see a ton of it coming down square on his shoulders, he has no answers, only problems. That first evening he runs the Board of Aldermen meeting is just a test, when the problems start he will melt down like a cheap Dollar Store candle. Guccione was heard saying that he despises me, he has just begun to despise, Nick, you're in good company, the last two Mayors of Wentzville share your sentiments, that's 16 years of despise before you came on the scene.

Last night was a good night for Wentzville, we kept a great Board of Aldermen despite Nick and Donna's best efforts to trash each and every one of them. The highlight for me was watching Sherwood crash and burn and be beaten to a pulp by two rookies. Wentzville will survive and continue to grow, the only difference is; it will show two black eyes to the rest of the County.

I always take two sharp pencils to the meetings but from now on I'll be bringing at least six, there will be that much more to share with my readers. I'm looking forward to reporting on Guccione's administration, it's going to be great sport  for The Wentzvillian. Congratulations Mayor-Elect Guccione, welcome to my world of rainbows and lollipops!

The Final Hour

The election is well under way and I did my civic duty first thing this morning, after which I visited several other polling places throughout the afternoon. The turnout seemed sparse and as a matter of fact I was the only one voting when I was there just after 8:00am. Spending time talking with quite a few of the campaign volunteers at various polling places they echoed my observation, it could be a slim day in the voting booths.

I'm not ashamed to say I voted for my Alderman Rick Stokes, he has accomplished miracles in his first two years on the Board and I hope he can continue working for us in Ward 3. I could not in good conscience vote for his opponent who is Nick Guccione's next door neighbor recruit and I hope the voters in Ward 3 have a similar view. For Mayor, the only thing I will tell you is; I made a non-Guccione and non-Schuette vote and trust my readers did the same, we really don't need one of those clowns running our city.

I drove down to the Wentzville Community Club Flea Market grounds to see who was there campaigning. Low and behold, right outside the front door sat at least a half-dozen Guccione supporters all holding signs. I did spot the Gooch right in the middle of them, sitting on his ass acting regal but not holding a sign, I guess sign-holding is beneath his pay-grade. I also met with Leon Tow and his lovely wife Mary who were busy helping people get to the polls, and I had a visit with the wife of Forrest Gossett.

At progress Park, I was greeted by Rick Stokes and his supporters, he told me that he feels good about his re-election. While talking with Alderman Stokes I couldn't help but notice Donna Sherwood sitting right in the middle of several handicapped parking spaces with a group of her flying monkeys. If anyone needed to park there, they'd have to run over her and her goon squad. Someone mentioned that she was handicapped, I had to agree, she is indeed.

A lot of folks say; "It doesn't matter who you vote for, just vote." Horse puckey it does matter who you vote for. That kind of thinking is why our country's government has lost touch with us. Think about who you're voting for, find out who they are and what they stand for, then and only then, vote.

It's two hours until the polls officially close at 7:00pm and then the candidates will be heading to their rally points to watch the results as they come in, I'll be there in support of Leon Tow and Darrel Lackey. If you've never been to one of these, they are real neat events where you meet new friends with similar views and all of them are concerned citizens of the community. If your candidate loses you'll be  down for awhile but if they win, it's a party. I hope the parties will be with the TOW or LACKEY, GOSSETT, SHRYOCK, and STOKES campaigns. Regardless of whether your candidate wins or loses, the party starts tomorrow for The Wentzvillian!

The Promise

To the good citizens of Wentzville,

It's Election Day here in Wentzville and I just read a mass mailed letter to a selected special interest group of voters from someone named Michael Rasher, the letter was a rant against Leon Tow, Rick Stokes, Chris Gard, and Sonya Shyrock. After looking into this person, I find he is not a registered voter in Wentzville, owns no property here, is not a resident, and there was no return address. He states things in the letter that could only have been fed him by none other than Nick Guccione and Donna Sherwood because the facts are so skewed, they make no sense.

In this letter he accuses Leon Tow of a plot to; "destroy city hall staff." Guccione/Sherwood/Rasher claim; "they fired Dianna Wright because she would not do unethical works," Nick Guccione was instrumental in "firing" Dianna Wright, without his motion, it's entirely possible that she could still be working for the city today. But of course telling that factoid would blow the whole fairy tale. Nick Guccione and Donna Sherwood are two of the most unethical candidates in the race today, if Wright was so ethical, why wouldn't Guccione lead the charge to fire her, as he did. This letter is just the finale to six months of unethical campaigning on their part and after reading the lie in just the second paragraph, the whole damn letter was discarded.

There's not much more I can say about Nick Guccione and Donna Sherwood that I haven't already said, but if they are elected I will have plenty more to expose. They don't like me much today but I don't really give a rats-ass what they like. I promise the citizens of Wentzville to continue exposing their self-serving agendas right out of office, but it won't be with lies, it will be with the truth supported by public record.

Nick, Donna, get ready, you are both in the sights of my microscope and no matter how disgusting that thought might be to me personally, anytime you try to pull your unethical crap on the citizens of Wentzville, you will pay for it. You can't hide, once your in the public eye and you think you can do anything you want to do, you're through! That is my promise to the citizens of Wentzville, especially those you used, lied to, and conned.

Real Facts, For the Record

"Special Interests
SPECIAL INTERESTS,
SPECIAL INTERESTS!"

This cry can be heard from Nick Guccione and his campaign manager, Donna Sherwood about all of their opponents. It's become a sort of chant; "HBA, Real Estate Board; HBA Real Estate Board, bla bla bla." They named those two organizations "The Bad Boys" in this election but he left out a few of his own.

I just had a look at Guccione's Missouri Ethics Commission (Campaign) Committee Disclosure Report of 2/18/2012 and guess what, Mr. Guccione's largest campaign contributors are none other than "Special Interest" groups. Unfortunately I haven't received his latest report but this one will do fine for now just to get my point across. He and Sherwood cry this chant when they have an opportunity at any and every event or gathering, he has even stated it in public meetings: "It's just not fair," Wa Wa Wa.

Guccione and Sherwood have always said that these two organizations tell their opponents how to vote and that they control the Board. They say their opponents are sock-puppets and are in the HBA and Real  Estate Board's pockets. I hope he isn't saying that "Special Interest" groups shouldn't donate to campaigns because if they didn't, Guccione and Sherwood would be walking around town wearing sandwich signs reading "Vote for Me."

The following is a list of those groups supporting Guccione and Sherwood with large amounts of cash:

International Union of Elevator Constructors Local #3, St. Louis

Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #36, St. Louis

USCW Local 88 Meatcutters, St. Louis

M Engineering LLC, Union, Missouri
IUPAT Union, Hanover MD

Nicholas Hamilton, St. Paul,  Secretary of two Auto Warranty Companies

This is just six of the "Special Interest" groups donating to Nick Guccone's campaign for Mayor, there are others. My question is; are they going to tell Guccione how to vote, is he going to be in his benefactors pockets, and are any, or all of these benefactors going to expect favors from him and our City as he claims his opponents will do for the HBA and the Real Estate Board?

Guccione has hammered his opponents with trash talk about them and their supporters. He dug up a 20-year old newspaper article and without an ounce of investigation he accused one of his opponents of being a sexual harasser. He has accused another opponent of being the ring-leader and instigator of an evil plot to "hound Mayor Lambi out of office" that would ultimately give his opponent an unfair advantage in the election. He accused a City employee of filing a false complaint about the Mayor and being in on the plot, and every Alderman in the City of Wentzville supported the conspiracy to give his opponent an unfair advantage in the election. He has divulged confidential information to the newspapers and in public meetings and blamed "the blog" for doing it. Mr. Guccione has tried to discredit his opponents in newspapers and other public media at every opportunity with his unfounded accusations and yet he believes himself to be squeeky-clean.

Whether he wins the election or not, he is a scoundrel of the first order, and truly a house of cards. If he is elected, the real loser will be the City of Wentzville. I feel sorry for the voters who have listened to his rhetoric without finding out about his total lack of accomplishments as a useless Alderman or investigating the real candidates, Leon Tow and Darrel Lackey. He smiles very nice for the camera and behind that smile is a man who knows just enough about our city and its government to be seriously dangerous to the future of Wentzville.

This election, April 3rd is crucial to our City. It's a four year commitment to either have an effective Mayor, or one who is severely handicaped both politically and in knowledge of government. Nick Guccione is not a communicator or spokesman, he will disgrace our City to other cities around the county with his lack of public speaking skills, experience, or government savvy, Wentzville can niether afford nor condone Nick Guccione as our Mayor.

Twicky Nicky

"Tricky" Nick Guccione is pulling out all the stops to be Mayor of Wentzville. According to the Wednesday, March 21st Suburban Journal, he is accusing all five Aldermen of "carrying out  a political vendetta against Mayor Paul Lambi,". Guccione must sit up nights with his campaign manager Donna Sherwood dreaming up ridiculous crap to launch on his opponents, and now they're trying to discredit a City employee and the entire Board of Aldermen, and of course he had nothing to do with it.

It's a known fact that Guccione is the weakest Alderman on the Wentzville Board and has no, I repeat, NO accomplishments during five years of service (I use the term "service" lightly) other than taking up space and annoying everybody. Oh, I forgot, he did get a court ruling overthrown for his bar-owner buddy which pissed off a number of his sleepless constituents! But, since he has no record of any consequence, the only thing he can run his campaign on is diversion, deception, and discrediting his more competent opponents. This man really wants to be Mayor and nothing is beyond his or Sherwood's realm of dirty stupid crap to pull. As a matter of fact, the only difference between Sherwood's experience and Guccione's, is that Sherwood never held an office

In the Journal article written by Raymond Castile (which I'm surprised they actually printed), "Alderman Nick Guccione, Ward 3, said the board, led by President Leon Tow, Ward 1, has been carrying out an agenda for more than a year to force Lambi out of office in order to give Tow an advantage in the April 3rd mayoral election." This guy is in la-la land to even think that an unnamed City employee, a seven time President of the board, and four other Aldermen are plotting against him with the Mayor being the sacrificial Lambi. He is accusing his opponent of this ridiculous crap because he cannot possibly win on his own merit.

I have to ask: Where was Mr. Guccione while all this was going on, why is it coming up one week before the election? If this is true, why didn't he blow the whistle over a year ago. Could it be that he and Sherwood just thought it up right before he said it January 11th in a closed meeting and saved it to spring on his opponents one week prior to the election? He is a twicky little wascal.

A City employee filed an official complaint against Mayor Paul Lambi and protocol demanded an investigation, and that is exactly what has been going on. What Guccione is really saying is; if a City employee files a complaint about an elected official, don't investigate it, let the complaint fall on deaf ears, don't do anything, business as usual with Guccione. Guccione, Len Tow, and the rest of the Board were acting according to policy and procedure and Guccione in his paranoid style twisted it to say they were scheming against him, everything is about him. In the January 11, 2012 closed session meeting minutes while discussing the process, it states: "Ald. Guccione expressed concern if the Mayor would resign Ald. Tow, as President of the Board, would become Mayor ProTem and give him an advantage in the Mayor's election." Guccione wasn't thinking about the employee complaint or that Mayor Lambi may have done something wrong or illegal, he was thinking about politics—exactly what I've reported on several times over the months. He is all political! Mayor Lambi didn't resign, the City employee complaint was filed, the investigation was turned over to another authority, and Guccione is left with nothing else to campaign on except slash and burn, so what's the reason for his mysterious allegations?

This is an ill calculated desperation move that will have cataclysmic effects on Guccione regardless if he wins or loses, think about it. He has admitted that he doesn't get any respect from the Board regarding his corn-ball non-issues and now he's insured that if he does become Mayor, their respect may have been somewhat diminished. If he doesn't win, he has to sit on the Board for one more year with even less respect and probably no support. He's pulled this stunt in a last ditch effort to get his recruits elected to the Board and when that doesn't happen, he is in serious trouble. If Guccione was a dictator of a small Mideast country, he would be  the reason the rest of the world wouldn't want that country developing nuclear weapons.

He doesn't think about trying to work with the Board, he thinks he needs to get rid of them. Regardless of the fine job this Board has done in the last two years, they just don't fit into his grand scheme of control. Maybe he thinks they're working too hard and it's making him look bad by comparison but that's not a difficult task. It must be something else, something deeper, something more profound, naaaa, he's just nuts!

Up Your Politics!

There was a conversation the other day in my favorite place—the local barbershop, about what else, politics. The subject revolved around guess who, Nick Guccione, and his pitiful record as Alderman in Ward 3. Let me tell you, if he'd been a fly on the wall, and if flies had ears, his would have been burning. This time of year politics is the topic of conversation almost everywhere but since this is a mayor election it's really intensified.

There were some things said that opened my eyes about Guccione and his attitude and actions throughout his political career. I use the term "political career" literally because that's exactly what he's had; a political career. To him, his job as alderman isn't to work for the city, it's to act, think, and spew full-time politics—to be elected or re-elected. Everything he says and does is political, be it in chambers or in public. There is no moment in time when he isn't pandering, campaigning, or snivelling about how unfair everyone is with him, "It's all about me again," poor me, poor me! If you look at his record of the last five years (and I have), he has contributed absolutely nothing in the Board of Aldermen meetings, he always follows the lead of someone else. His record is as ugly as a mud fence, not once did he introduce anything original that was codified.

Guccione doesn't speak in meetings, it stands to reason, if you don't know anything you can't say anything, intelligently anyway. When he does jump in, it's either to agree with someone or repeat something someone else had already said. When he does come up with something, it's either useless or political and he ends up eating another foot sandwich. For all he's accomplished they should set a bobble head on the Dias next to the Mayor and every once in a while he could flick it at the appropriate time, at least then he wouldn't be sticking his foot in his mouth any farther than it already is.

If something negative happens with his campaign and everyone is looking at him, he will blame it on anyone who is handy. He never takes responsibility for anything. When his campaign manager, Donna Sherwood, filed the false ethics violation against his opponent Leon Tow on behalf of his campaign committee he said; "I told her not to do it." It's all her fault, he'll find anyone he can to throw under the bus. That happened again last week when his crews were caught removing his opponent's (Darrel Lacky) campaign literature, "I didn't know they were doing that, they did it," everybody else is to blame. When he blabbed to the St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter about the confidential details surrounding the now famous secret meetings he said, "I didn't do it, it was the blog, the blog did it. I'll take a lie detector test" 

As I predicted, now he's done something reprehensible, he has started his smear campaign against Darrel Lackey. He took a 20 year old newspaper article and passed it around in his Coffee Talk without any knowledge of the subject and smeared Lackey's good name in front of the citizens in attendance. This is pure Sherwood who got it from Boedeker, it's the same tired old shit she tried almost 20 years ago, it didn't work then, and it won't work now! I know where Mr. Lackey told Guccione to stick his article and The Wentzvillian would be more than happy to help him in this effort. In case Guccione is curious, this crap he pulled is what inspired this blog today!

Sooner or later your lies get you in a corner and his ass is in the corner so tight it would take a tractor to break the suction. I would almost lay odds that he and Sherwood will not show up at Candidates Night. There is no way he can intelligently debate issues, especially with the likes of Leon Tow and Darrel Lacky and their combined 30+ years of service to Wentzville. That night Wentzville will find out the real truth about his knowledge of the city. Those who attend will have a moment of clarity and everyone will know that he is a loser. It's gonna be a party, those guys will eat his lunch!

Nick Guccione is a coward, he won't take responsibility for any of his actions or neglect and his record is more worthless than a shovel-full of chicken tracks. I can only imagine what he'd do to our city if he were to be elected Mayor. He isn't the greatest at taking good advice and he doesn't realize that history has a special place for politicians like him, especially in a small town like Wentzville. When he loses this election, I don't know how he's going to be able to face the Board of Aldermen, his constituents, and our new Mayor; Leon Tow or Darrel Lackey with the things that he's said and done. What I do know is this; no matter what happens in this election, he will still be there, and The Wentzvillian will be here putting a microscope up his politics!

A few questions for Nick: Mr. Guccione, your opponents are talking about important issues pertaining to this city, all you can do is talk about is your opponents. Is it really true that you know nothing about the issues and challenges facing Wentzville's government so you do what you know—smear? Do you talk about your opponents because you have no concept of what being Mayor is all about? And last but not least: When you hear thunder and see lightning, do you know that it's actually the sight and sound you see and hear when you pull your head out of your ass?

Questions, Questions

I was talking with a friend who had a great suggestion. He wanted to post a list of questions to the candidates here on The Wentzvillian that might be fodder for thought at "Candidates Night." After thinking about his suggestion for just a few minutes, I had to agree. Unfortunately, the Chamber of Commerce "Candidates Night," has never put candidates on the spot with hard questions. You know, the ones that get too near the truth. Let's see how this works:

1. Name one piece of original legislation you brought forth to be codified?

2. What do you believe to be your greatest accomplishment in your political career? Being elected doesn't count.

3. Can you read a balance sheet?

4. Do you believe the practice of an elected official recruiting candidates to be ethical?

5. Have you or your campaign ever filed an unfounded ethics violation against an opponent, if so, why?

6. What qualifications do you have to manage 180 employees and a city with a budget of over $80 million dollars?

7. Why do you want to be elected?

8. What would you fix in the City" Assuming something is busted.

9. What would you fix in the City? That isn't busted.

10. Is this a stepping-stone to higher political aspirations?

There's ten questions right off the top of my head, and now in this parody I'm taking the liberty to answer for the Mayor candidates; Bill Schuette and Nick Guccione.

1. (Schuette) I was close once when I tried to get the city to shovel the snow from certain peoples' driveways: (Guccione) Was I supposed to do that?

2. (Schuette) Learning that trying to get the city to shovel snow from certain peoples' driveways was against state statutes: (Guccione) Feeling important.

3. (Schuette) Is that the specification for carburetor float levels?; (Guccione) No, Yes, I mean No! Yes it's definitely No today.

4. (Schuette) It depends.; (Guccione) Of course, how else can I get the other Aldermen to talk to me?

5. (Schuette) part a-Yes. b.-I like screwing with people.; (Guccione) part a.-Yes. part b.-Donna Sherwood did it, If I'd known about it, I would have told her not to do it.
6. (Schuette) Because I want to.; (Guccione) Have you seen my home, it's beautiful!.

7. (Schuette) Because I like to dress up and party a lot.; (Guccione) This is the break I've been waiting for.

8. (Schuette) I've never had an office before but the Mayor's office in city hall isn't as cool as Chief Harrisons, so when I get elected we're switching.; (Guccione) Do I get a secretary?
9. (Schuette) If it ain't busted, I can fix that.; (Guccione) I will strive to get Mike Carter re-elected to our court, I don't think he got a fair shake last time. I have changed my mind and am for him now.

10. (Schuette) Well, if I get elected and I like it, then yeah why not.; (Guccione) This is small-time, I want to brush shoulders with Claire McCaskil, Al Franken, and Joe Biden. I did pick a winner when I voted for Barack Obama, I think that qualifies me to aspire to loftier positions!

I'd like to see some questions from my readers, post them here and make sure you go to the Candidates Night event to ask the candidates.

On the campaign trail: Here's a news flash: As we all know, Guccione is a great whiner and complainer, as noted in the February 8th board meeting when he whined; "People are moving my signs, I have them on tape." Horse pucky, tell us another one. I know the games Guccione and Sherwood play, they use the "poor me" crap in an effort to appeal to those who would feel sorry for them. They've even gone so far as doing minor damage to their own homes and blaming political opponents trying to get the "poor me" vote.

Well this week they got caught red-handed by one of Gucciones opponents. It seems that his crews are following other candidates into various subdivisions and removing their literature from citizens doors. I had forgotten about that bit of sneaky crap they pull. When confronted by Darrel Lackey about it Guccione said; "I didn't know anything about that." He didn't deny they were doing it he merely said he didn't know they were doing it. Meadow muffins! Nick, you ordered it and condoned it. C'mon, do you really think that anyone is really going to believe that you and Sherwood don't use that silly shit stunt regularly? Anytime you hear them complain about something it's because they're already doing it to others candidates. It's like I've always said, Guccione and Sherwood can't win on their merits, or rather their lack of.

A warning to anyone opposing Guccione or Sherwood: When you walk the streets of Ward 2, or anywhere in the city, keep an eye over your shoulder, Nick and Donna are more than likely watching to take your literature.

Clown Town Could Be Coming Back To Wentzville

I've been watching the campaign for Ward 2 very closely and the voters in that ward need to know what's going on. Ward 2 citizens had no idea about the black-eye coming when they elected Bill Schuette and they need to realize that for the last two elections the other black-eye, Donna Sherwood, has been trying her best to be elected to an office and embarrass them again. This is her third try, don't be fooled by all the signs she has all over Ward 2, she is no well-versed candidate for anything, but her trickery abounds.

Sonya Shryock and Jeremy Pritchett are running against Sherwood and on real issues offering real solutions to a growing Wentzville and its challenges, all Sherwood wants is to be Nick Guccione's stooge on the board. Unfortunately for Guccione, he doesn't know or want to believe that if she is elected, he'll be her stooge—the bottom line is; Ward 2 residents get another poke in the eye and Wentzville looses.

Shryock and Pritchett's campaign's are running on their own money and they don't have two years worth of dusty old signs from two unsuccessful campaigns lying around like Sherwood has to stick all over Ward 2. I see now where Sherwood has two shiny new four foot by eight foot signs out on the Wentzville Parkway sporting a glamour shot of her mug on them. Like Schuette before her, she's loud, arrogant, and self-serving. She knows nothing of city government as evidenced by her weekly photo-ops she used to appear in during city meetings at the expense of the taxpayers. It's funny how she stopped doing those right after The Wentzvillian called her on it, too bad, I rather enjoyed watching her make a fool of herself staggering around issues she knew nothing about. It will be very interesting watching her try to fool the public into thinking she knows what she's talking about at the Chamber of Commerce "Candidate's Night," March 27th at the Holt high school auditorium. God I hope the local radio station airs this event!

As I've stated many times before, Sherwood is Guccione's campaign manager but I'm not sure who's advising who as they are both equally inept regarding city issues. Even more interesting, I've heard that they have recruited one-term ex-judge Mike Carter to assist them with their campaign—there's a party! You remember Judge Carter, some legislators have stated that he almost single-handedly sunk the Wentzville judicial system budget in only two years. It's funny because Nick Guccione and Bill Schuette were the most vocal on the Board of Aldermen to remove Carter from his job as Judge, now it appears that Guccione and Carter are best buds. That group should get along well, very well indeed, all three of them are a little narrow between the eyes.

Sherwood has been around since the days of Vickie Boedeker, she was one of Vickie's goons, heading up the terrorist division of Boedeker's campaigns. It's evident that Sherwood learned her craft of underhanded politics very well in those days long before Guccione. She knows all sorts of tricks such as; filing ethics violations against opponents whether they are true or false, putting up campaign signs 30 days prior to the allowed time knowing that the city would give her 30 days notice to remove them, and disguising her campaigning before the voters on camera in city meetings as a concerned citizen. This is a short list, but there are many more devious tactics she brings to the table.

Perhaps Sherwood's most unethical campaign strategy learned from Vickie is one she's using in Guccione's campaign. As his campaign manager, she has recommended recruiting candidates to run against highly effective intelligent sitting Aldermen in an effort to split the vote and stack the board with their zombies who will vote what ever way Guccione and Sherwood want. The thought process here is: If your ideas are so bad that no other Alderman will go along with them, simply replace them. This is the Guccione/Sherwood strategy which puts in place people who have never even considered running for public public office in their lives. They go along with the promise that they will not have to know what to do or how to do it, just follow their lead. The chaotic Board of Schuette, Guccione and Luby are a testament to that strategy gone awry, with no intelligent leader, they really screwed up the city.

If Sherwood/Guccione should get elected, it will be a sad day for Ward 2 and Wentzville as a whole, but The Wentzvillian will be shittin' in tall cotton with great stories of clown-town. I'm relatively sure that the good citizens of Ward 2 know what to do when they go to the polls to cast their vote April 3rd, I'm equally sure what the citizens will do with Guccione. Vote: Sonya Shryock or Jeremy Pritchett for Ward 2 and Leon Tow or Darrel Lackey for Mayor. To insure an honest and ethical government you need to elect honest and ethical people to represent your city's best interests.

Send in the Clowns

I never thought I'd see another meeting like February 8th but this one may even be more entertaining. Last nights meeting of February 22nd promised to be another evening of dog owners stuffing the room to hear the discussion of the pit bull ordinance, then out of the blue—it blew! I'm going to have to view the video several times to make sure I have all the facts in the proper order but it all started with the "Mayor's Report" when Mayor Lambi announced that his report would be a little longer than usual. I also have to report on Alderman Nick Guccione and his sincere attempt to assimilate, Nick when you  already have your foot in your mouth up to your ankle and you want people to respect you, stop trying to shove it in up to your knee.

Lambi went on the attack regarding the investigation of the $15,000 check given to City Attorney, Paul Rost. His target was Alderman Chris Gard of Ward 2 and opened up with both barrels. Lambi is angry about the allegations being made in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the St. Charles County Journal, and The Wentzvillian, quoting from each. He asked (barked)  questions of Gard from what appeared to be a script. I suspect he was trying to get the aldermen to commit to some kind of "witch hunt" and may have been coached by his defense attorney, Chet Pleban. Gard responded by saying "under advice of Wentzville's city attorney, I refuse to answer." At the February 8th meeting Rost instructed the board that they should not respond to newspapers and blogs. The only alderman to respond to Lambi's questions and fold like a cheap suit was Guccione, but that's axiomatic. He was told not to respond to newspapers or blogs at least three times (that I know of) last week what part of that didn't he understand? (scratching head)

I will go into more detail about Lambi's behavior last night on a later blog but for now, I want to concentrate on Guccione's performance during the meeting. Twice last night he campaigned from the Dias saying: "I made a mistake voting for the Rankin contract, I'm sorry," Guccione flips again, what's new? First he votes against Sam's Club coming to town and now flips on Rankin. The Suburban Journal of February 13 reported: "(Ed) Watkins (Winning Endeavors) confirmed that Pleban was examining whether Wentzville should have requested bids before approving its $360,000 agreement with Ranken. Watkins said at least two aldermen and the city's economic development director were aware that another school, Linn State Technical College, expressed interested in opening a satellite campus in Wentzville two months before the Ranken agreement was finalized."

Lambi tried unsuccessfully to get the aldermen to admit that they knew about Linn State Technical College wanting to open a satellite school here. None of the aldermen said a word except Guccione; "I didn't know," agreeing with Lambi he made a motion to have the aldermen reveal who knew. Silence again, as the board of crickets starred expressionless into their computer screens, the motion died for lack of a second. Three times that night Guccione made a motion for various topics and they failed for lack of a second. When the subject of not posting public meetings in private homes was voted on, Guccione was the only "no" vote. Four times over the course of the meeting Guccione opposed the entire board, can the board always be wrong? This is exactly what I posted about him on my February 20th blog;"Why" Guccione is incapable of working with the other aldermen, there is no way he could be a successful Mayor.

As a footnote: Donna Sherwooid is up to her usual underhanded crap by filing another "ethics violation," this time on her opponent, Jeremy Pritchett. Bill Schuette finally made an appearance (after an eleven month absence) to speak in the "Open Forum" and to have a city-paid campaign photo-op saying; "We should not be spending tax-dollars on Rankin." It amazes me how Guccione fell right back in lock-step with Schuette, old habits are hard to break. Schuette slithered back into the night shortly after his photo-op and Sherwood rolled out two hours before the meeting ended. This was a regular circus night for reporters and viewers alike, make sure to go to: http://www.wentzvillemo.org/ to see all three rings. Look for more to come, I'll be baaack!

Groundhog Day

I can't help it, I've watched the Board of Aldermen meeting of February 8th a dozen times and every time I do, I see new stuff. I urge every voter in Wentzville to watch it, particularly, from 2:45 to 3:05 into the meeting. If you are planning to vote for Nick Guccione to be our next Mayor of Wentzville and you watch it, I believe you will have a new and greater prospective of him and his professed leadership qualities. In only 20 minutes, Guccione proved that he hasn't anything to offer this city.

To roll back the clock a little to about 1:18 into the meeting, after Alderman Gard gave the St. Louis Post Dispatch article to City Attorney, Paul Rost, to determine if there was anything in it from the infamous executive sessions, Guccione said it wasn't him. He went on: "The next day after the executive session it's out there on the blog." This is an admission that The Wentzvillian ("the blog") was right on target with what was going on in the executive sessions. Gard expressed grave concern that someone told it all in the St. Louis Post Dispatch article (Gard doesn't need to wonder any longer about who spilled the beans.). Why would Guccione say something like that unless he was trying to defer blame? Do you remember when you were a kid in school and the teacher sat on a tack, everybody pointed at someone else, it's the same old story.

Beginning at 2:45, the real fun started. Gard began talking about revising the sign ordinance to tighten up on the election period. He said that he and Alderman Leon Tow had attended a meeting of senior citizens recently and the first question was: "When are you going to do something about all these political signs cluttering the city? They don't want the city littered with political signs for five months out of every year" (because of the abuses of a few candidates). "I'll give you (Guccione) their names and you can tell them that they're full of it." Guccione just had to jump in to defend either himself or his campaign manager, Donna "Bananas" Sherwood, who placed her signs out 30 days prior to that allowed by city ordinance. During his protestations, Alderman Cheryl Kross reminded him that, "the proposed change doesn't include the name; Nick Guccione in it." That didn't deter him from continuing his whining, he went on crying about how his opponents had larger signs, better locations, and that this whole change is all about him. There's a word for that type of behavior but not being a psychiatrist I won't use it. I wonder if he ever had the inkling that maybe he's being supported by the wrong people? I've come to the conclusion that Guccione is the sort of politician, who if given enough time, would outsource all of our jobs to Banglawhore.

I found it quite interesting that at just about 2:55, while talking about changing the city policy to include not letting politicians campaign in city facilities during working hours, Guccione went bat shit crazy. He once again went on the defensive blaming it on "the blog," he said that he wasn't campaigning in the police department. He stated: "On January 3rd I visited the police station to merely welcome the new chief and the next day it was on 'the blog' that I was campaigning." A very cordial thing for him to do, but why did he feel the need to have his campaign manager tag along? Oh and by the way, she just happens to be running for a political office too, what a coincidence! His abysmal attempt at masquerading as an innocent well-meaning non-campaigning alderman is pathetic. Well, thanks to his infernal whining it's back on "the blog" again.

Two minutes later at around 3:57 he went on the defense regarding his political rally, loosely concealed as a Coffee Talk public meeting. He went on to complain that other alderman can meet in public places to talk over city business and he is being criticized for having a public meeting in his private residence. This whole thing was precipitated by Alderman Rick Stokes when he asked for a resolution to not allow advertising (paid for using tax dollars) in the Vision or other city publication; a Coffee Talk or other event which may become a political rally. Guchione's hand shot up like it was attached to a booster rocket "Once again, this is all about me." his explanation was not really comprehensible as he went on blathering about "seven people who are all anonymous, I didn't know there were that many people in town with all the same name." I have to assume he was trying to talk about "the blog" again and some of its anonymous comments, I really don't know. If any of my readers who watch the video can explain what he was foaming at the mouth about, I'd appreciate knowing.

I'm convinced that Guccione doesn't know nits from noodles and his tongue is long enough to cut his own throat, but he is entertaining to watch. I don't believe that he's entertaining enough to run this city for the next four years but he is a fun guy. I hope I'm finished reliving that meeting but somehow I seem to think; just like Bill Murray, I'm doomed to be locked in that three hours until I learn enough to become a changed man.

The Butter is Back in the Ice-Box

The Board of Aldermen meeting of Wednesday, February 8, 2012 may have been a pivotal moment for Alderman Nick Guccione in his election bid, even his political career may be at stake. His campaign for Mayor took a terrible downward spiral that evening, a course from which many believe he will never recover. Guccione is predictable, so predictable in fact that he can be manipulated by publicity into revealing his political motives, or almost anything else one might want to know—as was proven on that terrible night when he "came clean."

The Wentzvillian first got wind of the allegations currently under investigation by State and/or Federal agencies regarding Mayor Paul Lambi back in August of 2011. A friend/businessman complained to me about being approached by Lambi to donate money to his Winning Endeavors project. Being stone-walled by the Aldermen, I started my investigation around Wentzville to see if there was any substance to what I'd been told. I located several individuals who expressed similar concerns regarding being pressured by the Mayor to participate in his program. Lambi, being the kind-hearted benefactor to any worth-while cause was blindsided by what he was really doing.

Getting the real facts from the City or it's elected officials on this subject was like trying to shove butter in a wildcats ass with a hot poker, it wasn't going to happen. So, I began watching the players and meetings more closely. Finally after months of observation, I had struck a nerve and the pieces of the puzzle came together. I had heard of a tactic used by some to "throw something against the wall and see if anything sticks," well it stuck. I was on the right track and it was only a game of watching and waiting until it unraveled.

Then the big break came from a totally unexpected source: Mark Schlinkmann of the St. Louis Post Dispatch wrote a bit of the story and interviewed Alderman Nick Guccione. Being the news-whore that he is and wanting his name and face on anything in print—to help him win an election—he caved in to the pressure but little did he know that it would be his undoing. No other Alderman would comment to Schlinkmann regarding the "Executive Session" minutes except Guccione, and in the meeting of February 8th when confronted with the article, he spilled his guts in front of the city: "It's all over the city, the blog did it, I didn't say anything." Even today, I'm not sure Guccione recognizes the fact that he let the wildcat out of the bag and had told the city; it's all true. Since then, the story has been printed in the Community News and on Patch.com., The Suburban Journal reporters are currently investigating. Mr. Guccione will get all the press he desires.

Guccione is a regular reader of The Wentzvillian and followed my investigation, not because he really cared about the subject, but because I believe he cannot stay away from anything in print that might put a negative spin on him and his campaign. He read The Wentzvillian's speculation of the events and it must have been so close to the truth that he felt like the story had broken and he would cash in on it by being the first Alderman to get his name on the story. When the Board and City Attorney discussed the subject, Guccione realized that he had pulled a boner and tried to back-peddle by blaming "the blog" for letting out the story, "I didn't say anything," yet there his name was in the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Unfortunately I do not know much about the penalties for revealing sensitive City information but I'm sure we'll find out in coming months. I do know however that the Board of Aldermen in whole, are not pleased with what he's done and if there will be penalties, we may be in store for another round of "Executive Sessions." Regardless of the outcome, I'd bet that Guccione will blame The Wentzvillian.

Guccione was told by the City Attorney not to respond to articles in the newspapers or blogs but he just can't keep from it. He is a control-freak and wants to control the city and Board of Aldermen—that ain't gonna happen. As long as he pursues his good-old-boy brand of politics, The Wentzvillian will be here  but for now, I can put the butter back in the ice-box and the hot-poker back in the fireplace.

Alderman Admits "the Blog" is Correct!

One of my readers commented on the report I put up here on February 8th and he or she gave me pause. The statement was made: "You may be exaggerating,..." and it made me think. I've been trying very hard to be a lot more objective about the Mayor, the Aldermen, and the upcoming election including those candidates competing, then I read on;  "...but not much!" Thank God, I must be making progress, or not. I'll admit my lack of objectivity is in direct proportion to the anti-good-government actions of those elected officials and candidates who are trying to screw-up Wentzville, but I'm trying to stick to the facts. There are some who can bring out the worst of me with the simplest things, and as much as I hate to affirm it (as if you didn't already know), Nick Guccione, Donna Sherwood, and Bill Schuette are such easy targets with the things they say and do, I just can't help myself—I'm weak, please bear with me.

I had intended to say more about the meeting of February 8th and I was afraid that the person commenting was going to steal my thunder but there was so much more said that night I could probably continue writing on it until well after the election. One point brought up in the comment was: "Nick appeared to complain about the unfairness of securing sign locations. Was Nick claiming he needs to flaunt the sign regulations to level the playing field?" He is right on the bead. Guccione is the whiner and has the advantage of being able to do it in front of literally thousands of citizen witnesses in an effort to get "underdog" support, but Donna Sherwood is the biggest violator so far this election. She placed her signs up almost a full month prior to the date allowed by ordinance, probably on the advice of Guccione. She knew that the city would give her notice to remove her signs "within 30 days" which would coincide with the beginning of "political sign season." At least Guccione waited to put his signs out until 60 days prior to the election which adhered to the ordinance. I don't think it was as noble as it looks, he knew the ration of crap Sherwood took and just didn't want it for himself, then again, she may have been his test case, hmmm.

Regarding Nick Guccione and his campaign strategy...he has no strategy (especially with Sherwood managing his campaign), unless of course you want to call underhanded-backroom tactics a strategy. Recruiting candidates to stack the board with his stooges will always be called enethical here. He really wants to win but what he doesn't realize is that everyone can see right through him, he can't win a fair election. At the meeting, he whined (it's not an exaggeration, anyone watching the video will see that he was actually whining) about his opponents ability to secure prime locations for their signs, "it's just not fair," they're all after me he cried. I was thinking that Mayor Lambi, who sits next to him, should have loaned him his handkerchief. Guccione has no debating skills, he relies on blaming others for his short-comings.

I do have to report about the most important section of the meeting; when they discussed the press release prepared by the City Attorney, Paul Rost. The press release was designed to tell the public why the information from the "Executive Session" is not available because the investigation is ongoing by "other agencies." The St. Louis Post Dispatch article really brought some serious doubt that Guccione didn't reveal privileged information. He protested so much about not "saying anything" to the reporter that he actually admitted: "It's all out there on the blog, I didn't say anything, (that wasn't already known). I'll take a lie detector test." The Wentzvillian couldn't have had a better endorsement than an alderman admitting that it's all true, about Lambi and influence peddling. Until Guccione's admission, it was simply a concerned citizen's observations and pure speculation. I can see trouble on the horizon for Alderman Guccione but I do want to say: Thank you again! Because of his blabbing to the press, seeing the minutes of those secret meetings is probably not necessary except to dot a few "I"s and cross a couple "T"s.

After last weeks meeting I am wondering if Guccione will still continue contributing to the meetings or clam up again. If he were to take some good advice (which he never has), he'd just try and be an alderman for another year and be quiet about it, let Sherwood (his campaign manager) start her photo-ops again. That should be more than enough bad press for the both of them.

BTW, I wish the person who said I was exaggerating would please tell me where? I am really trying to get better. I know that as Forrest Gossett, candidate for Alderman of Ward 1 told me: "You can be a bit bombastic at times," but I'm really, really trying. Maybe there's some 12-step program for "Citizen Journalists?"

Grab Your Popcon, Gather the Family, and Enjoy!

If you missed the meeting last night, you really missed it, Gillette couldn't have put on a better card! This was the most entertaining city get-together I've had the pleasure to see in a long time, and it was totally unexpected, what a treat. So much happened that I really don't know where to start. I guess the best way is to say: If you don't have your head screwed on, everybody will mistake it for a football.

Alderman Nick Guccione, who is campaigning for Mayor must be reading The Wentzvillian because, as I've claimed many times, "Guccione doesn't contribute," well last night he decided to start orating. Everything went fine for him through the "Public Hearings," "Open Forum," and the "Consent Agenda," but when it came to the "Aldermen Reports" and; "XVII DISCUSSIONS;" topic: "Political Canvasing, Solicitatrion, and Temporary Signs," the projected excrement met the oscillating agitator and resulted in Guccione's melon between the goal posts.

Alderman Chris Gard had copies of the St. Louis Post Dispatch article of yesterday which he handed to Paul Rost, City Attorney, and expressed his concern that elected officials are talking to reporters about the secret meetings. With that, Guccione's hand shot up to be recognized by the Mayor almost as fast as his blood pressure. Guilt ridden he went on a tirade about "the blog, the blog" he blamed "the blog" half-a-dozen times in an attempt to cover for his talking to the reporter, Mark Schlinkmann. Guccione complained in months past and reaffirmed last night that "everything is out in the open" because some Alderman has been blabbing to "the blog." I need to thank Mr. Guccione for confirming (blabbing to "the blog" and City) that all my speculations are true, but I sure didn't think he'd do it in a public meeting. He clearly needs to quit reading "the blog." I hate to say that because he and Donna Sherwood are two of my most devoted readers. Rost told the Mayor and Alderman that they should not comment to reporters regarding the "Executive Session" matter that is currently under investigation.

Gard moved onto political signs and the complaints of his constituents. He stated that "prospective elected officials should be held to the same temporary signage code that are expected of citizens and the businesses in Wentzville." Once again Guccione reached for the sky, "Other candidates have the support of the HBA and have signs up everywhere, it's not fair!" Wa wa wa, he's starting to sound like Mayor Lambi and before this heated, fist pounding debate was finished his face was blazing red.

Next came the report of Alderman Rick Stokes: His concern was that the city should not be paying to advertise in the Vision Newsletter a Coffee Talk that is in reality a political rally. A little background is needed here: Guccione has held a monthly meeting for the public to discuss subjects of city business and historically it has been hosted in city hall. Last week his Coffee Talk took place in his home and from witness accounts, it quickly turned into a political bashfest of his and Sherwood's opponents. He tried defending himself again by mentioning a private citizen by name as the covert spy who told everyone. This Coffee Talk was an advertised public meeting, talking about what went on to someone after such a meeting is allowed, duh. In discussing this matter with the individual after the meeting, she is very unhappy that "Guccione slurred my good name in a public meeting." Something tells me that he hasn't heard the last of that incident.

Penultimately, Guccione confronted Attorney Rost after the meeting to explain what he said to the press. Rost told him that he shouldn't talk to the media about this situation. Guccione reiterated his explaination and Rost told him again, not to talk to the media. A third time he tried to explain to an obviously disgusted Rost who was stuffing his papers in his brief case as quickly as he could, "Just don't comment to the media," and politely left. It's possible that Guccione with what he said to Schlinkmann and in tonight's meeting, may have removed himself from the protection of the city's counsel.

There were enough things happen in last nights alderman meeting to fill several blogs and I think I'll save some for another day. I'm sure someone will think I'm making this crap up and just bashing Nick Guccione, but frankly, I think he's doing enough of that all by himself. It was stated by a person in the audience: "Nick is the best campaign manager Leon Tow or Darrel Lackey could ever ask for." I have to agree, he really stepped in it last night. For three hours of entertainment; grab your popcorn, gather your family, and tune in to the February 8, 2012 Wentzville Board of Alderman meeting at: http://www.wentzvillemo.org/.

 

Let the Truth Be Known

There was no meeting last week so it gives me an opportunity to address a subject that was brought to light  months ago—what's going on in all of the city's secret meetings?  A request for information was made in December for the minutes of the November "Executive Sessions" and I was told by our City Clerk; "they are closed until approved by the Board of Alderman." At the end of January the closed session minutes for November, December, and January were requested and only a portion of the November 16, 2011 minutes was received. There was only one item on it and was in reference to land acquisition for the Spring Meadow subdivision "overbanking project." I went back into the minutes to check how long the executive session was and found that the City does not give the time, but according to the video, it lasted one hour and thirty minutes. A long time to decide to offer the residents of Spring Meadows half what they were asking for their property; where's the rest of the November 16th secret meeting minutes and all of the other secret sessions over the last three months?

It was reported on several occasions that something stinks in City Hall and I suspect it's over something Mayor Lambi has done. There have been more "Executive Session" meetings than "regular sessions" over the past three months. The preponderant portion of the "Executive Session" record minutes are closed. Whatever is going on is probably the reason Lambi decided not to run for a fifth term as Mayor.

I've seen special personnel attorneys go into these secret meetings and that's a good indication that there's the possibility of someone being in deep doo-doo. In addition, the major St. Louis newspaper and several smaller St. Charles County publications are snooping around asking questions about what's going on in these secret sessions. It has to come to a head soon; they can't keep this a secret forever. If Lambi has done something to merit all of the recent special meetings and legal attention, the citizens have a right to be told; if he has done something illegal, he must be made accountable.

I will continue requesting these records until our Aldermen decide to release them. This is crazy! The citizens of Wentzville need to hold our elected officials' feet to the fire on this matter. The Wentzvillian has a hunch; I believe they are stalling on the release of these documents until after the election when Mayor Lambi is out of office. The issue would be defused and any wrongdoing hazed over while the perpetrator sails off unscathed into the sunset. The Wentzvillian first reported on this issue early in October 2011; it's time to get'er done and let the truth be known.

On the campaign trail: While going through the minutes and video for the November 16, 2011 meeting I was reminded of Wentzville's Medicine Drop Box located in our police station. This Box was proposed by Alderman Leon Tow and due to his initiative, Wentzville won two major awards from the State and County for its implementation. This program keeps expired or no-longer-needed medicines from being flushed down toilets to contaminate our waste water. These drugs would then be destroyed properly by Wentzville's Police Department; thank you Alderman Tow! It was during the "Open Forum," where Donna Sherwood (candidate for Ward 2 Alderman and Campaign Manager for Nick Guccione, candidate for Mayor) was doing one of her regular campaign photo-ops at the City's expense that she made the following on-the-record statement: "Donna Sherwood, 1614 Polar Drive...Ms.Sherwood expressed her concern about medicines being expelled into the water system through urine. The Medicine Drop Box won't help with that."

I'm not sure of her concern. Is she trying to minimize the accomplishment of mayor candidate Alderman Leon Tow, or is she suggesting that anyone taking prescription medicine or other medication in Wentzville need to go to the police station and pee in their Medicine Drop Box? This woman wants to be an Alderman?