They're Dropping Like Flies



Our new interim Finance Director, Mr. Greg Smothers made his debut at the Wentzville Board of Alderman meeting last night's  Mr. Smothers predecessor, Ms. Petree Powell, was fired last Friday for unspecified reasons and added to a growing list of Directors being fired under Mayor Nickolas Guccione's administration.

Now for the reason for this post: It will be announced (or maybe not publicly announced) later this morning that the IT' Director, Ms. Carolyn Sutton will be joining Ms. Powell in the unemployment line. Sutton was responsible for the computer, video, and sound systems in the city.

I was amazed at the quality of the audio in the meeting last night, I could hear every word spoken by the mayor and aldermen, even if they weren't speaking on the particular subject being discussed. The audio prior to last night was terrible and I never understood why, after all, public address systems are not a new technology. I always thought they could have bought an old tube-type Bogen PA system and done a better job than our IT Department did with thousands of dollars of modern technology.

It was announced that the City of Wentzville borrowed the IT technicians.from O'Fallon to come look at our system, they made a few adjustments and, voila, instant fix for years of substandard audio. Perhaps this had something to do with relieving Ms Sutton of her position. At any rate, given that Guccione is responsible for firing half of the staff already, he could replace the entire staff in about four more weeks.

Article Interruptus

It is with guarded excitement that I await the Board of Alderman meeting this Wednesday, May 8th. The reason I'm looking forward to it is because the "Ethics Discussion," which was originally posted, and removed from the agenda of April 24th has been placed on the upcoming agenda. I'm apprehensive because here lately when I hear things, they haven't necessarily come to be. So, I'll be there to listen and see what happens.

This discussion item was placed on the agenda to address the  questionable ethics of Mayor Nickolas Guccione and Ward 3 Alderman Michael Hays during the election this past April. Remembering back to the election of 2012, during Mayor Lambi's final meeting as Mayor of Wentzville, the Board was going to have a similar discussion about Guccione's unethical behavior. Lambi's last official duty was to issue a pardon for him. I always thought it unfortunate for citizens of Wentzville to bear the shame of having a Mayor sworn in who was just pardoned by the outgoing mayor. And now, citizens of Ward 3 are represented by an alderman who won by only 39 percent of the vote, who would not have been elected if Guccione hadn't gotten involved.

Guccione must not have learned anything from Lambi's pardon because he continued along with his old campaign strategies this past election by using the mayor's office to promote the seating of Hays. I can only hope our Aldermen impose some drastic spankings.

NEWS FLASH: The body count rills up under Mayor Nickolas Guccione's administration. Ms. Petree Powell, Interim Wentzville Finance Director was fired Friday night about 8:30  PM by City Administrator, T. Michael McDowell. It was reported to The Wentzvillian that Ms. Powell and Mr. McDowell may have had some bad blood between them. Powell was hired January 10th of this year to replace Dennis Walsh who had served as Wentzville Finance Director for many years. Ms. Powell sent a blistering email to the City, which I will do my best to acquire. The Wentzvillian has been told that a new interim Finance Director will be present at the meeting this Wednesday.

Guccione was directly involved with the firing of four directors in Wentzville, so much for being in favor of the employees, huh? I have never seen such a turnover in the City as that created by Mayor Nickolas Guccione. My suggestion to City employees is: if you have a position of any responsibility with the City, duck! Do what your leader does; hide, pass the buck, lie, accomplish little or nothing, and always have someone you can blame.

I'm off to do some research, see ya later!