4 Days To The Election, and...



I can't let go of just how important this election is, we have only four days left and every vote counts.

Ward 1

Cheryl Kross

Ward 3

Darrel Lackey

Municipal Judge

Steve Martin

Today I'll write about Mayor Nickolas Guccione's goals and objectives presented at the Strategic Planning Session March 23rd that I watched via a City provided DVD, thank you. In my opinion, his goals and objectives were the same as last year and by his own confession based solely upon a few citizen's suggestions. Nothing revolutionary, nothing new, just the same old feel good rhetoric.

1. Four New Police Officers: Exactly the same as last year and a safe one to say that will always garner support from everyone, paying for it is an entirely different question. I have to give you a direct quote credited to our illustrious mayor, "I want to have the best police department in the city." I have to ask; how many police departments do we have in Wentzville?

2. Lower Retail Sales tax: This is a noble statement made by every politician seated or campaigning since taxes were invented. A lengthy discussion followed this goal regarding just how it could be accomplished and from my interpretation of the debate, it can't be done. CIDs, NIDSs, TIFs, TDDs, and a plethora of other tax incentives to businesses just can't be renegotiated, but it was a good try, maybe next year.

Five of the six Aldermen weighed in on lowering personal and real estate taxes as an option. Guccione couldn't offer that one because it's been too well advertised that this has been the objective of the Board for the last four years. It would be difficult to steal that idea since everybody knows who is and has been doing that very thing. Guccione made a statement against the reduction of personal and real estate taxes to the effect: "The personal and real estate tax reductions have only averaged a savings of about $25 or $26 to residents so far." I can't believe that a Mayor would minimize a tax reduction to residents suggesting that the City shouldn't have cut these taxes.

I mentioned that one of the Aldermen said nothing during the half-hour discussion and that one was Guccione's appointed buddy, Alderman of Ward 3, Michael Hays. He has been truly a disappointment in his lack of desire to engage in any debates by the Aldermen.. Hays is running against Darrel Lackey for the Ward 3 seat and when Lackey wins it will be the first time Ward 3 has had a full compliment of Aldermen in six years. Some of you may puzzle over the length of time but it's simple, Guccione took up space in that seat for five of them.

3. Better Snow Removal: Guccione wants a new truck that can dispense a chemical agent that will be actively melting snow for 72 hours. Great idea, we can always use another very expensive vehicle in the stable that will be used four or five times a year. My question is, how are you going to pay for it?

4. More Entertainment: Guccione wants the Economic Development Director to more aggressively seek out "bowling alleys, teen-towns, or other events." Another feel-good request that will get the respect of citizens and has been asked of every mayor since 1872. Our mayor must have forgotten that the taxpayers have just paid for a new $20 million dollar park system that has yet to be completed, but that's another story.

5. Pearce Blvd. Beautification: He is requesting amenities i.e. park benches, lights, and new signs for Pearce Blvd. I think I know where this request came from but my question is; don't you think repairing sidewalks, or even putting sidewalks in areas along Pearce Blvd. that don't have them might be nice first?

6. Beautification of the Overpass at Hwy 61 and Pitman Ave.: The mayor wants to repaint the overpass that belongs to MODOT (Missouri Department of Transportation). He may also want to paint the railroad overpass which belongs to the Norfolk Southern Railroad. I don't think I need to Comment on this request.

That's it, Mayor Nickolas Guccione's vision for 2013. Alderman Shyrock said it best; "I agree with all of these Mr. Mayor, but how do you propose to pay for them?" To this Guccione responded with a classic; "That's why we have a staff." I'm still shaking my head trying to figure out what the hell he was talking about. President of the Board Rick Stokes said; "I don't see how you can dump this off on staff to pay for this. Everything here costs money."

The Goals and objectives portion of the meeting was ended with a statement by Alderman Stokes; "Mr. Mayor, I thank you for presenting your goals and objectives. I look forward to seeing your proposal on how we reduce revenues by reducing sales taxes and manage increased spending to accomplish them." Me too!

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.

Sonya Shryock, Alderman Candidate

Sonya Shryock
Candidate for Alderman, Ward 2

Considering the registered candidates for Ward 2, Sonya Shryock is The Wentzvillian's candidate of choice. Sonya has lived in Wentzville for two years, a mother of two, and worked in the real estate business for over 20 years. She comes from a family with a combined experience in real estate of over 75 years. Today, she is a full-time wife, mother, and advocate/fundraiser for displaced children and families, among other causes that hit her in the heart. Sonya was interviewed last week and offered the following information about herself and her candidacy:

"I am a  concerned citizen

and confident that I can help."

"I am a people person and stand up for what's right. Some members of my family call me 'Captain Justice.' I am not a politician nor want to be, but I am passionate about Wentzville issues and eager to do what is necessary to create a better future for our citizens and city."

With the economy as it is today, she takes issue with the 3000 unbuilt home lots and the problem of housing for retired and first time buyers. She is against building smaller homes in subdivisions that were approved for larger homes.

"I disagree with allowing builders to place homes with a smaller footprint next to larger homes and I think citizens currently residing in these larger homes would agree with me. There are other ways to build-out these 3000 lots and still provide medium or limited income housing without bringing down the property value of those residents already living in Wentzville. When the Real Estate industry is in trouble, the Economy is in trouble. When building is going it employs everyone from the lawyers, builders, realtors, painters, title companies, carpenters, etc.—so while I don' t agree with building smaller footprints, I think there are better ways to keep these people working and it is one of my most important goals."

When asked how she would accomplish this:

"I would work with Wentzville's Economic Development department to restart our economic-engine. Businesses are what brings residents to our city, and residents who are working, will buy homes here. I support small as well as large businesses and have experience and ideas about how to get them here. The plan is long-term and there's no quick-fix, I don't have all the answers but will listen to my fellow citizens who may have them."

"I am upset about the current trend of our city using outside contractors who take money out of Wentzville. We need to use the businesses that are located here and when the city spends money with them, it multiplies three times. If there are businesses here who can provide goods and services needed by the city, they should be our first choice in bids. We need to stop sending our jobs to someone in another city, county, or state unless absolutely necessary."

"I am pleased that some of our current aldermen are standing tall for cutting spending and trimming the excess out of Wentzville's budget. I believe in fiscal responsibility and will work toward creating a more economically efficient city government. From what I've seen, our aldermen have made great strides in the right direction and will need someone to support them in their efforts to get Wentzville back on track, I want to make a difference and I'm eager to get started."

Sonya Shryock is a candidate with vision and compassion, strong family values, and great civic pride. I believe she will make a difference in Wentzville when she is elected. The Wentzvillian urges readers to remember the name of Sonya Shryock when going into the voting booth on April 3rd, 2012.

An invitation was given to all candidates running for office in the 2012 election to place their bio/platform here. This offer is open for any legitimate, registered candidate to post their political platform. (If you are a candidate and want your platform presented here, email it to: thewentzvillian@aol.com. Submissions will be posted in the order of receipt and unedited.)