The Brain Trust Speaks!

 

The Wentzville Board of Aldermen meeting last Wednesday, May 14, 2014 was about what I had expected—uneventful. With three new aldermen sitting in on their first full meeting, and the absence of the incessantly-questioning Alderman Cheryl Kross, it went pretty quick, (even though it was a fairly large agenda) ending just after 8:00pm. Had Kross been there, given her elevated status; Board President and her usual nit-picking nonsensical-minutia of questions, the meeting could have easily gone on for another hour or two.

 

I can forgive the mistakes of the new aldermen when trying to adapt to meeting procedure for their first couple of months, but when they interject self-serving questions and statements during their inaugural meeting, they've crossed their representative line. The brain trust who was elected to replace one of Wentzville's finest aldermen Rick Stokes, Ms. Linda Wright has shown herself to be interested in herself and the subdivision in which she lives. Judge for yourself:

 

Under section; "Community Development, (ID # 5171) Public Hearing - Pete Murtaugh of Ranken Technical College, applicant on behalf of the property owner, Terry Nelson Carpenter's District Council of Greater St Louis, is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a Technical or Trade School for Ranken Technical College. The site is located on the west side of Par Road, approximately 1,400 feet north of Highway A. 14-35-PZ"

 

When the reality that Ranken might actually come into Wentzville several years ago, Mayor Nickolas Guccione had designs on becoming mayor, Union hack that he is, he opposed every vote that was ever taken on this matter. After he was elected, it was rah-rah-rah for Ranken. The only time he spoke during the public hearing was to give a shout-out for his Union bros.

 

Wright was another story. When the Ranken representative displayed the site plan of the proposed new school, he also noted "future expansion," which is of an indefinite time frame — could be one year, could be ten years, maybe never, depending upon growth of the program. Mr. Murtaugh made this clear to everyone, except our brain-trust Alderman Wright. He explained the site plan; "if this future development" takes place, they would require a curb-cut on Mexico Road. That's when Ms. Wright thought it necessary to take exception. "Where is this on Mexico Road," she asked? So, with the help of staff, Mr. Murtaugh answered her question. Wright looked away towards the mayor and said, "We are very happy with Mexico Road right now?" 

 

As many of you may know, Ms. Wright lives just off of Mexico road. Could it be that she doesn't want growth that may impede her trips to WalMart, bringing more traffic onto her beloved Mexico road? It reminds me of the Lurchettes some years back when they ran for alderman seats to stop the building of subdivisions adjacent to theirs because it ruined their views of the beautiful woods they could see from their decks. It didn't work for them, and it won't work for you. For some reason this city has become growth-crazy and that snowball was pushed down the hill some twenty years ago—get used to it! At any rate, I see a lot of self-serving in her future on the Board of Aldermen. Her lack of knowledge about this city and it's government is astounding, but after all, some of you have decided that she is the best-of-the-best, and elected her to represent us in Ward 3—Thanks!

Ms. Wright, knowing that you work at the Obamacare facility here in Wentzville, you aren't one of those employees who sat around collecting a Federal paycheck and did nothing, and currently being investigated by Claire McCaskell, are you? Please divulge this information to your constituents at a public meeting. In the name of open government it should be on the record who we elected, don't you think?

 

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Alderman Chris Gard took the lead on making 90 percent of the motions last Wednesday, and we should be so proud of Michael Hays who set a great example of how to raise one's hand to second 95 percent of Gard's motions. Way to go Mr. Hays, you have become the pride of Ward 3. With two of Guccione's brain-trusts sitting on the board it's going to be like watching a sideshow. God, Ward 3 is in deep #?*@!

 

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About the big lawsuit; there have been lengthy executive session meetings held after the last two regular alderman meetings. I figured it was regarding the lawsuit brought by Chief Lisa Harrison, and it was confirmed last night when it was probably requested by King Nickolas that Alderman Michael Hays should lock the door to the chamber, Hey, there's something else he can do. I guess it was so Chief Lisa Harrison wouldn't be sneaking around back there to see if she could hear anything—incredible!

 

According to CaseNet; an attorney, Mr. Mathew Justin Gist of Kansas City, was contracted by the City to defend the City of Wentzville, Mayor Nickolas Guccione, Alderman Cheryl Kross, ex-Alderman Sonya Shryock, and Lieutenant Dale Dothage of the Wentzville police department.

 

Taken from the web: "Mr. Gist specializes in the representation of employers in employment and labor disputes. He has obtained successful jury verdicts and summary judgments in employment discrimination cases including claims for wrongful termination in both state and federal court. Mr. Gist has argued several cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District. He routinely represents private companies as well as cities and counties in employment and personnel matters. In July of 2010, Mr. Gist successfully obtained one of the few defense verdicts in an employment discrimination case filed in the Jackson County Circuit Court."

 

This is going to be an extremely high-dollar trial for Wentzville taxpayers to shuck out, if any part of these allegations are found to be true, heads need to roll. I have a suggestion where to start but I'm wondering which of these people named in the lawsuit are going to roll over on the King? Is it possible that maybe one of them could cut a deal? Stay tuned, the fun has just begun.

 

Gotta Ho-Lotta-Mo

 

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.

 

"I Know What The Citizens Of Ward 3 Want!"

I enjoyed last night's meeting of the Board of Aldermen once I got inside chambers, almost five hours of political bliss. Upon arriving at City Hall I had to cut my way through a cloud of cigarette smoke created by our mayor, Nickolas Guccione. I found it revolting to see him standing right out in front giving lip service to his cigarette—what a way for a Mayor to embrace those coming to the meeting, poisoning them with his second-hand smoke.

Another discouraging situation came right in the beginning of the meeting during the "Ceremonial Matters" while listening to our Mayor floundering over words and sentences trying to read the proclamations. He doesn't read much and it shows every time he flops around in an attempt to sound mayoral. Remarkably, overlooking his unmistakable reading impediment, smokers hack, and lack of knowledge about procedures, the meeting went on, it was out of control, but the Aldermen saved his biscuits and kept it running—four hours and forty-five minutes worth. I found it funny that during discussions, Guccione raised his hand to speak on two occasions, he even tried to make a motion.

Mayor Guccione doesn't seem to remember where he stands on issues as apparent last evening when the Board passed a revised cooperative agreement resolution for Ranken. When the original resolution was presented, Guccione as an Alderman voted for it at all three readings. During his campaign for Mayor, he opposed it and vocalized his opposition at every opportunity saying "I made a mistake." Now he's all for the deal and gave a dissertation about how good it would be for the City. Flip and re-flip, anyone wanna bet on the possibility of a tri-flip?

I also found it interesting that our Mayor doesn't use the gavel to close discussions or votes very much, in fact he only hit it four times last night. I have a theory about this phenomena: He is a staunch union man and perhaps using a gavel that looks like a hammer may cross some imaginary carpenter's union lines. Since he is a member of the meat cutter's union, the City may need to buy a gavel that resembles a meat cleaver, then they could put a rubber chicken on the Dias and he could hack away.

The most important discussion of the night by far, was regarding the appointment for the vacated Ward 3 seat. Guccione reiterated that "it's my appointment" at least half dozen times during the discussion. Alderman Forrest Gossett suggested an "open process" to include all of the citizens of Ward 3 and read state statutes to support setting procedures for appointment. Gossett has a vast knowledge of governmental procedures and led the charge to have an "open government," suggesting the creation of a procedure for future boards to follow when, and if a similar situation should arise. Guccione believed he was being attacked by Gossett and opposed  him by asking the City Attorney, Paul Rost: "How can you write an ordinance that would undermine my authority?"  Rost tried to explain that he would still have the appointment authority but now he would have a pool of diligent citizen to choose from using the application process. Guccione wasn't having any of it, "I don't care how many names you present to me, I have made my selection. I know what the citizens of Ward 3 want and if you don't approve my candidate, the seat will remain open until the election next year!" He hasn't figured out what was said, I don't think he ever will. Gosset had to re-read the statute and Guccione still didn't get it, he's in way over his head and still on the defense.

All of the Aldermen supported open government and agreed upon the application process. They directed staff to create the appropriate ordinance. Opposing "open government" is a crucial underestimation in Guccione's young administration. After speaking with a very good friend, she stated; "Gucionne is being too defensive." He knows the rifts he's created in the board with his dirty campaign and is delusional that the Aldermen are out to get him, he's taking this process way too personal. Being as stubborn as a jackass in a tin barn on issues in an attempt to flex his mayoral muscles in opposition of the Aldermen is not good for the city, it's pure politics and not representative government. He claims to know what the citizens of Ward 3 want just because he was elected, he's sorely mistaken. He needs to listen to the recommendations of our newly reelected Alderman in Ward 3, Rick "Bulldog" Stokes, he knows what we want, he's still there! To reject the "open government" policy will bite him in the ass sooner than he may think when the disenfranchised citizens of Ward 3 start coming before him in open forum to tell him that he does not know what Ward 3 citizens want. Ward 3 residents want representation, not a contrary Mayor hand-picking one of his "buds" to fill a hole.

If our Mayor throws out the citizen's applications for the vacated seat through a newly created "open government" process in favor of "my candidate," it will be the real beginning of his political downfall. But, he knows nothing about diplomacy and doesn't care to learn. I would think that since he's on record as saying he will not consider any of the applicants, he may be setting the City and himself up for being sued. But, I don't think he cares about that either, Guccione is a dangerous Mayor, dangerous to Wentzville.

It's A Party Invitation! Part II

I'm going to continue with the agenda of April 25th, it's T minus 59:02:34 and counting to probably the most interesting meeting of the year. I noted this morning that the "Conclusion of the investigation of Payment to Westplex Sports & Entertainment" is still on the City website—maybe it wasn't a mistake, but it sure looks like pretty damning information to me. We'll see how things shake-out come Wednesday evening at the party.

Item XVI will swear-in the elected officials and afterward, break for a reception, if it's like previous Mayor receptions it'll be in a back room with coffee and cake. After Mayor Guccione changes his pants, it's back to the meeting where they will go through the "Call To Order," "Roll Call," and "Elect President of the Board." There are several trains of thought about who will become the new Board President; either Aldermen Cheryl Kross (Ward 1) or Rick "Bulldog" Stokes (Ward 3). Kross has just completed her third year as a strong minded Alderman and has the most time on the Board, whereas "Bulldog" was just re-elected to his second term and in his short time has established himself as a leader. I'll tell you what, it would be difficult to make a mistake with any of the Alderman in this selection, I've not had the pleasure of saying that in previous years.

Now we come to some fun; "XXI. Mayor's Report, (ID # 3845) Appointment to Various Boards and Commissions." Here Mayor Nick Guccione will be able to select members of various committees such as Planning and Zoning among others and the all-important replacement of his vacated Ward 3 seat. With these appointments, a new Mayor gets his first opportunity to shape his administration and put Wentzville on the path of his direction. Watching Guccione for the last five years still has me wondering what path that might be? I seriously don't have a clue and I don't even think he knows. At any rate, It will be his opportunity to get a group of his left-wing radical appointments in the City.

I will be most interested to see who he puts on these committees and especially the Ward 3 seat. Knowing that these Aldermen are not going to approve certain appointments, I believe he is not going to appoint any of the candidates from this past election and instead will be making a selection to slide in one of his lesser known supporters, if I had to guess, it would be one of his friends on Planning and Zoning. I know he's made promises to lots of supporters and he can't keep them all, but if the Aldermen fall for his appointment of a Ward 3 Alderman and accept his selection, they will be inviting chaos on the Board. I hope the Alderman throw out his selection for Ward 3 Alderman and put someone there who will represent me and other voting residents of Ward 3, not another back-sliding do-nothing dim-wit.

Item "XXVI Bills and Resolutions," paragraph "1. (ID # 3823) Resolution No. 12-429, a Resolution of the City of Wentzville, Missouri, Repealing Resolution 00-054, Encouraging Professional Election Campaigns, Enacting New Legislation and Matters Relating Thereto." I may be wrong but I don't believe there has ever been a Mayor in Wentzville history who presided over legislation that is being brought forward solely because that Mayor ran an unprofessional campaign. I can't think of any Mayor who would be proud that history will remember this to be part of his legacy, but he probably will! Well, he worked hard for it, had the people around him who's ethics were more than questionable, and he earned it, congratulations!.

There's a discussion about a "Compensation Study" later that will be interesting only because Guccione made such a point of letting the world know that he is "against all studies." This could be his first flip as our Mayor, but certainly not his last. Of course, he won't be able to vote on it but he will be able to give his random thoughts.

This is it, the line-up for potentially the greatest  meeting of the decade, after this meeting Mayor Guccione may very well need to have his suit cleaned. I'm probably premature with this forecast because knowing our new Mayor and his lack of leadership qualities we're probably in for many, many more. It may not sound like I'm giving our new Mayor a chance to prove himself but he has four years to change my perception (and I hope he can) of a man who stole this election and is the least deserving of any Mayor of record. I love Wentzville and will be watching closely.

Will Our New Mayor Be Decisive?



A subject which has been hotly contested for the past six months has been Ranken Technical College. Among other things, the resolution for the City offer of $120,000 a year for three years for Ranken to bring a satellite school to Wentzville was discussed and approved unanimously by the Board of Aldermen.

It must first be known that I agree with this resolution and believe that Ranken will greatly enhance the economic engine of Wentzville. I also agree with the part of the resolution that addresses bringing in partners to assist in its financing. If things go as planned, the City would have a first-rate technical school and the partners would pay the $120,000 every year, leaving the City not having to spend a dime. What is needed for all of this to work to the benefit of Wentsville is; our Ecomomic Development Director, Larry Tucker working with the St. Charles County EDC and the strong support of our Mayor to round-up (so to speak) enough sponsors to carry the freight.

Everything was going along fine with this plan until the allegations that Mayor Lambi was influence peddling and lastly, the switch of Alderman Guccione to say he no longer supported the resolution. Other than the remarkably poor timing of these events which could have killed the whole deal, I believe it could have survived. The problem that comes to play now is that in one week, that Alderman who flipped on his decision will become the Mayor of Wentzville and it casts a longer shadow upon the success of the plan.

At the Board of Aldermen meeting of April 11th, during the report of Alderman Guccione, he asked for two other Aldermen, Larry Tucker, and Greg Presteman of the St. Charles County EDC to attend a meeting on Wednesday morning with Ranken with him. Why? I don't know, but it happened this morning and I'm sure it will be a topic of discussion next Wednesday at the next Board meeting.

I talked with insiders last week about the reason for the meeting and was surprised by their lack of an answer. One of them offered: It's one of two things; either he wants to put an end to it all together; or he's changed his mind again, and given his record on flipping on subjects, that is probably the answer. When I spoke with a citizen who was pretty close to Guccione, he said: "How will he ever gain credibility changing his mind all of the time."

Only time will tell how this will turn out but I have to agree, Guccione needs to be more decisive and stick with his decisions. For the last five years as Alderman, he has not had a good record for being decisive, now that he's Mayor, he will be seen countywide and consistency is key to the success of our city.

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!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

The new year holds great promise for Wentzville, not only economically but politically. With General Motors adding a new assembly line and the possibility of Ranken Technical College bringing a satellite school to town, things are looking up. With the growth of Wentzville, our citizens have brought a new sense and logic to our city hall and slowly uprooting the "good ole boy" political party. I have held vigil, watching and reporting on city hall for the better part of 15 years and can say that the ball is over the crest of the hill and beginning to roll.

It all began about eight years ago with the election of Mayor Paul Lambi. I had hopes for a better life for Wentzville after Vickie Boedecker was dethroned, but the political rubble of our city was firmly implanted. Lambi worked with the support of several good aldermen to clean up city hall but the cancer was deep and it would take two more years for Boedecker to get over the fact that her second defeat was not just "voter apathy," her style of "good ole boy" politics was no longer wanted by our growing population. A huge blow to Wentzville was the retirement of three outstanding aldermen: David Hoekel, Dave Billing, and Darrel Lackey who all left the same year leaving an opening for Boedeker's flying monkeys to take over.

During attempts over the next two years to regain the throne she brought in three successful candidates to run for aldermen, John Luby, Ward 1; Nick Guccione, Ward 3; the ultimate Vickie-clone, Bill "Lurch" Schuette in Ward 2. Even though Boedeker lost the election, her flying monkeys continued the reign of terror in Wentzville. Lambi became frustrated in his second term toward restoring sanity as it entered its blackest days. "Lurch" became the "man behind the screen" who led the fledgling "Lurchettes." They met frequently in private (the Boedeker system) to determine their strategy of taking over Wentville's political system, a clear violation of election law.

In 2009, a glimmer of sunshine appeared on the political scene; Mrs. Cheryl Kross, new alderman in Ward 1 was elected, but even she, Lambi, and Alderman Tow couldn't break Boedeker's grip on the city. Then "Lurch" made the ultimate mistake and opened the door for sanity to come to the city, he decided to run for Mayor. Unfortunately for him and the Lurchettes, Guccione decided it was also his time to make a move. What happened was Lambi beat them both by a small margin sending "Lurch" back into the spectator's seat and left Guccione all alone on the board as Luby lost to Cheryl Kross. In 2011, things started to change and when Guccione's attempt to plant a candidate in Ward 1 to replace Kross failed, and Lurch's unsuccessful bid to regain his Ward 2 alderman seat, he watched as a new order came to Wentzville; Kross, Stokes, Sample, and Gard. These four aldermen have the opportunity to close the book on the 155 year "good ole boy" brand of politics in Wentzville.

It is my belief that in the election of 2012 voters can take back the city with two clear choices LEON TOW for mayor, and the re-election of RICK "Bulldog" STOKES in ward 3. There is more to the equation and I will give that on a later blog but I think I can predict a date of the overthrow of the old order (Boedeker system), April 2nd, 2013 when Nick Guccione is not re-elected alderman in Ward 3. Guccione should have paid more attention to what was going on in Ward 3 and a little less on his upward political aspirations.

Things look very good for Wentzville but we must always keep guard, people like; Lurch, Nick Guccione, Donna Sherwood, and a host of flying monkeys will always be looking for the chink in our Wentzville good-government armor.

"The Illegal Practice of Using One's Influence..."

The Wentzvillian has been gathering information on our mayor's activities regarding the pressure put on Wentzville citizens to participate in the GAP1 project. Little did I realize the magnitude of this problem. The  latest report came from a contact at the state level who informed me of something that frankly surprised the hell out of me. Here is the news that should enrage every citizen of Wentzville:

It is a known fact that our Economic Development Manager, Larry Tucker, in conjunction with several aldermen have been working very hard with Ranken Technical College to locate a satellite school in Wentzville. This would be a great boost to the economic development of our city, bringing jobs and revenues to our local businesses. Reviewing the information received, it appears that Ranken coming to Wentzville is not a first priority with Mayor Lambi.

Tucker, Lambi and a few Aldermen hopped into Wentzville's VAN1 (a city owned vehicle) to meet with Ranken representatives in St. Louis. While on the way, Lambi instructed the driver to swing by his office to pick up his business associate, Mr. Ed Watkins. He told everyone in the van that he and Watkins wanted to have a meeting with Ranken before the City business meeting. This is wrong on so many levels it's difficult to comprehend.

Why the Aldermen didn't balk at Lambi's suggestion is beyond me. A city van being used to transport a non-city person to a meeting dedicated for city business to do private business with the mayor leading the charge could be construed litigious at best. I am led to understand that Lambi and Watkins met first with Ranken to drum up support for GAP1. The Wentzvillian is not a lawyer but I've seen and heard of elected officials being indited for less than the stunt Lambi pulled. It amazes me that he is so stupid as to put his personal gain ahead of (and instead of) city business and invite an outsider to join the city in his venture. If this isn't influence peddling or abuse of authority, I'd like to know what it's called. Something needs to be done.

Wikipedia defines: "Influence peddling; the illegal practice of using one's influence in government or connections with persons in authority to obtain favors or preferential treatment for another, usually in return for payment. Also called traffic of influence or trading in influence."

To add something else that I find extremely interesting, my state level source said that the matter has gone Federal. I'm not sure what that means yet but my mind is racing with negative possibilities for Mayor Paul Lambi.