Credit Where Credit Is Due

 

I don't read newspapers often, but every once in a while someone will stick one in my face, point to an article and say: "Look at this." DOH! Invariably I see our mayor's smiling mug with an article written by someone other than himself, using words that our mayor could probably not understand, and in most instances, even pronounce. Many times I've pointed out that Mayor Nickolas Guccione couldn't possibly write the articles in Newstime, he merely gives the city publicist an idea and she runs with it. The entire scheme looks like Wentzville tax-payers are footing the bill and deceiving the public, by making Guccione look competent.

 

Like any investigative reporter, I decided to edify myself, I exercised my rights granted via the Sunshine Laws and request information from the city. As I suspected, the city publicist, Ms. Laura Pendino, of Five Star Publishing admits in emails, to-and-from Guccione,  that she writes every word. Of course the city pays somewhere between $200 and $300 for each article written.

 

Although I knew Guccione didn't write any of the articles printed in Newstime with him getting the byline, I couldn't help but be disturbed. If he would write them by himself he could save the city somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000 a year, especially since there's nothing newsworthy being published in his (her) article. Besides, it would be a real hoot to read.

 

As I read on in these emails between Ms. Pendino and Guccione, I found something even more disturbing, and it goes as follows: "Hi Mayor Guccione, Since kids just started back to school, do you want to do something about safety for kids going back to school? ... Please let me know if this is a topic you want to cover. ... I'll wait to start writing until I hear back from you. —Laura Pendino"  I didn't know that she picks what to write about, why bother having the mayor's name and mug-shot on the article? Guccione's response, exactly as written: Yes Laura .That sounds good .go with that"

 

If Ms. Pendino is going to pick the topics, write the articles, and then submit them to Newstime, why isn't she the Public Information Specialist and working for the city? Why is the mayor involved at all? It seems to me like a huge waste of tax-payer money on non-news items. Why isn't Alderman Kross all over this, she's so tight she'd jump over a gate to keep from wearing out the hinges.

 

It seems to me that if the city would do away with a contract firm handling our publicist duties and create a much needed Public Information Services Department, the city would get better services and save money in the long run. I know a few very talented people in the city who are qualified to undertake this position, why not just do it.

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In my investigations of City Hall, I found some really disturbing things going on with one of our junior aldermen. As I've just touched the surface of this situation I'm going to wait a few days until I receive more information.

 

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On the subject of the vote September 25th to deny the selection of our City Attorneys, Cunningham, Vogel, and Rost, I stumbled upon some information that will shed a very interesting light on the situation. I have written a post that I was going to put up yesterday, but I promised my sources that I would give it until tomorrow before I pull the trigger on it. Stay tuned.

 

 

5 Days To The Election, and...

I want to mention, there are five days until Wentzville citizens go to the polls to vote for the future of our city. I strongly recommend that my readers vote and vote wisely. The Wentzvillian is actively supporting:

Ward 1

Cheryl Kross

Ward 3

Darrel Lackey

Municipal Judge

Steve Martin

Now let's talk about the meeting last night March 27th. There were some interesting things happen and I'm going to interpret (spin) some of them just so you can get a real flavor of what was said. First, our St. Charles County Councilman, Joe Cronin was there to speak on the new communications tower mandated to be built in Wentzville by the Federal Government. I'm sure this topic is of great interest to many people but frankly the discussion had my eyes glazing over. I came to attention when he congratulated the Board of Aldermen for taking the lead on the Highway 61 interchange that MoDot announced last week. Mayor Nickolas Guccione tried to claim this project in the social media leading us to believe that it was his idea. Cronin said; "It was this Board that did it." not Guccione, so much for his propoganda.

Alderman of Ward 2, Sonya Shryock gained bulldog status last night when she put on the gloves with Guccione. The attack revolved around the Mayor's goals he gave during the Strategmic Planning Session this past weekend, which are still not posted on the City's website. Shyrock said, "The goals you gave us Saturday are very expensive, how do you propose to pay for them?" Board President Rick Stokes cut in to say that this is not a topic for discussion but Guccione said "I will rebut her comments," with "I repeated the requests of the citizens." I can't believe our Mayor takes requests, comments, or complaints from citizens and makes them his goals for the future of the city. Since he adheres to the wishes of the people so well, maybe one of the 58 percent of our citizens who didn't vote for him could suggest that he run "strate" to the next bridge and jump off.

Next in the ring was Alderman Stokes. The subject was Guccione's Newstime article of last week where he stated; "The Aldermen threw out the bids for the two remaining parks." Stokes wasn't a happy camper (wink) and confronted the mayor as to whether or not he supported the decision. "You were blaming the Board for throwing out the bids." Guccione squirmed and said, "I support you." Then he tried defending himself using his usual tactic, blaming someone else. In this case it was the City Publicist, Ms. Laura Pendino who was thrown under the bus. "I gave it to Laura and she copied it out of the minutes, I didn't do it." Ouch, I'm glad I don't work for Guccione! He reminds me of the little kid on the playground who is always pointing his finger at someone else; "I didn't do it, she did it teacher." Hey Mr. Mayor, don't you know that you are responsible for any content with your name on it? You just admitted that you don't write the articles but didn't you even read it before it was delivered to 17,000 residents in Western St. Charles County? Talk about irresponsibility.

I had the pleasure of meeting our new City Administrator, Mr T. Michael McDowell and I am impressed with his knowledge and strength of conviction. It's still early, but I believe he may be the strongest CA Wentzville has had in the last 20 years. I'm happy to report this information because we need a strong CA to carry the mayor and relieve our Aldermen from babysitting this ineffectual blowhard.

So much for today. There were other important issues debated last night but most of them are boring so I'll leave them to the Patch or Journal. The fluff patrol is more patient than I, no offense.