Darrel Lackey, Mayor Candidate

Darrel Lackey, candidate for Mayor has submitted his bio/platform to be published in "The Wentzvillian." Mr. Lackey has been interview many times and "The Wentzvillian" Knows his credential and experience. He is an independent-thinking, registered candidate for Mayor. The following press release was just received, for immediate release:

DARREL LACKEY

FOR MAYOR



LIVE

Improve the Quality of Life for our Citizens through the future reduction in taxation.

• Become better stewards of taxpayers money
• Reduce wasteful spending
• Examine our departmental budgets to reduce inefficiencies
• Formulate a committee of Citizens to advise the Board of Aldermen and Mayoral Office on Ideas for the reduction of spending

Darrel Lackey and his bride of 38 years have made Wentzville home since 1975. They have three grown daughters and two grandchildren that make their homes in St. Charles County.

 

WORK

Attract more quality jobs to improve sustainable employment.

• Work with County, State, and Federal Resources to strategize the targeting of specific industries that will complement our Educational, Cultural, and Geographic Advantages
• Review and update our current requirements for the opening of new businesses
• Develop and enhance strategic partnerships between Educational, Civic, Business, and Governmental entities in order to create a United Effort in attracting quality employers

Darrel Lackey is currently a Financial Adviser with Waddell and Reed, Inc. located in Downtown Wentzville. He is a Chamber member and has been in the Financial Services Industry for 37 years.

 

PLAY

Improve and update our parks and roadways.

• Begin the implementation of the Parks Master Plan by working closely with the Parks and Recreation Board in the development of new recreational venues
• Identify "problematic" intersections with our City Staff in order to re-design those areas resulting in a smoother traffic flow
• Calibrate traffic signals in order to provide a smoother flow of traffic at all times

Darrel Lackey has enjoyed being there to coach his daughters' softball teams, and enjoys playing golf during his off time. He is also a die hard Cardinal's and Ram's fan.

 

EXPERIENCE

• Wentzville Alderman, Ward 2 1987-1992 (3 terms)
• Wentzville Mayor 1992-1995 (2 terms)
• Wentzville Alderman, Ward 3 2002-2006 (2 terms)
• Wentzville Township Committeeman 2004-2010 (3 terms)

 

MEMBERSHIPS

• Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree Knight
• Wentzville Rotary Club (president 2000)
• Wentzville Downtown Business Association (Director)
• Wentzville Historical Society
• Wentzville Chamber of Commerce
• National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
• Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF)
• Certified Mutual Funda Counselor

 

Past experience and strong desire to foster equal partnerships between the Citizens, Business Owners, and the Board of Aldermen, in order to continue Wentzville's great reputation as being a Place to Live - Work - Play.

Darrel Lackey
314-941-5513
email: leolackey@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.darrel4mayor.com/
David Reynolds, Treasurer

 

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, independent-thinking, 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.)

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.

Leon Tow at DQ March 13th

The election is just under one month away and the following "Meet and Greet" was received by the "Wentzvillian" to be posted here for my readers. Bring your family to the Wentzville Dairy Queen to meet and learn about Leon Tow's plans for the future of our city. Click on the graphic below to go to http://www.leon4mayor.com/.





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, independent-thinking, registered candidate to post their political platform/information. (If you are a candidate and want your information presented here, email it to: thewentzvillian@aol.com. Submissions will be posted in the order of receipt and unedited.)

Forrest Gosset, Candidate—Ward 1 Alderman

Forrest Gossett, candidate for Alderman of Ward 1 has submitted his bio/platform to be published in "The Wentzvillian:, as has been offered all candidates" Mr. Gossett has been interviewed on several occasions and "The Wentzvillian" has concluded he is an independent-minded candidate who will be a solid addition to the board. It is clear to that he is not a “plant” for any mayoral candidate. I therefore believe Forrest Gossett is a legitimate, independent-thinking, registered candidate for Ward 1 Alderman. "The Wentzvillian" supports his efforts to be elected and encourages my readers of Ward 1 to vote for Forrest Gossett to represent you as your Alderman. The following email was received that Gossett sent to many in Ward I:

From

FORREST GOSSETT

for Alderman of Ward 1

Wentzville is a great place to live and work. We have real challenges that require hard work and leadership. As your Ward 1 Alderman, I support continued smart economic growth. 

Experience:

• Honorably Discharged Veteran -

          - Enlisted service in U.S. Army

          - Officer in Army National Guard.

• Active in the Community
• Communications mgr. in the aviation industry
• Served on nonprofit and Chamber boards
• HOA board President
• Active in Children's ministry Calvary Church
• MBA degree and BA in Communications
• Husband, Father, grandfather

 Leading the Charge for Open and Responsive Government

I will work to represent all our interests at City Hall. We need to promote real estate recovery, and protect the investments of current homeowners, who are the backbone of Wentzville. Together, we can position Wentzville for an even greater future. Wentzville can and should be more than the crossroads - our city should be a destination.

I ask for your vote on April 3 as Wentzville Ward 1 Alderman.

Forrest Gossett

636-887-0895

forrestsgossett@yahoo.com

Facebook friend - Forrest Gosset

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, independent-thinking, 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.)

Wentzville Hall of Shame

Looking at the candidates, I noticed that I hadn't said nearly enough about one of our candidates for Mayor; Bill Schuette. When he was Alderman of Ward 2, he was loud, arrogant, and absolutely uneducated in governmental procedures. In his first term he stumbled his way onto the Wentzville Hall of Shame and dragged Nick Guccione and John Luby down with him. He continuously embarrassed himself, other Aldermen, and the City both in public and on record.

With Schuette leading Guccione and Luby it was like watching the Three Stooges, none of them had any knowledge of the City or city government but here they were, large and in charge. This group was elected because they were recruited by Vickie Boedeker in a conspiracy to control the Board of Aldermen (doesn't that sound familiar?) and three Aldermen retired. It almost worked, they were elected to the Board but Boedeker lost her bid for Mayor. With no one to tell them how to vote or act, Schuette took charge, what a disaster. If any Board in Wentzville was ever called dysfunctional, they set the bar. They drove the sane Aldermen and Mayor Lambi insane with ridiculous studies, ordinances, and over-spending. I think it's funny how Guccione makes a point of taking exception to studies today; he, Schuette, and Luby passed more studies in their term than I've ever seen. Only after a barrage of news articles questioning the need for these studies did Guccione change his tune today. It's like a new toy, he brings it up every time the staff proposes one, thinking it will be a feather in his proverbial cap.

It's difficult to talk about Schuette without dragging Guccione into the conversation, they were so close it was like trying to separate coffee filters. Both of them decided to run for Mayor in 2010 and were obviously unsuccessful. Since Schuette gave up his Alderman seat to run, when he lost, he was off the scene. Luby lost his re-election bid and that left Guccione all alone on the Board floundering around like a hooked fish on the river bank flip-flopping around ever since.

After Schuette had lost the election and his seat, he may have had an epiphany himself  that he had made a mistake running for Mayor. That decision subsequently cost him his seat on the Board of Aldermen so he decided to try regaining his seat in 2011. Running against him was Chris Gard, Patrick Vining, and the ever present, bad penny Donna Sherwood. His Ward 2 constituents had been embarrassed long enough and denied his plea to be re-elected and instead elected newcomer; Chris Gard. They also knew about Sherwood and reminded her a second time that they didn't want her anywhere around city hall. I sincerely hope they remember next month to scratch Schuette and Sherwood (oh, and Guccione too) from their vote. I know that the good citizens of Ward two deserve better representation than they had from Schuette or would get from Sherwood.

It's been only one year that we've had a productive intelligent Board of Aldermen and there is only one Alderman remaining from the good-old-boy days; Nick Guccione. If the voters get this right next month we can preserve the integrity of our board by keeping incumbent Rick Stokes, Ward 3; electing Sonya Shyrock or Jeremy Pritchett in Ward 2; and elect Forrest Gossett in Ward 1; then for Mayor we need to elect either Leon Tow or Darrel Lackey. The balance of the candidates on the ballot were recruited by Nick Guccione in an effort to recreate his control of the board just like Boedecker tried. The Guccione recruits are: Jay Webber, Ward 1, Donna Sherwood, Ward 2, and Rodney Stratman and Curtis Davis in Ward 3.

Vickie Boedeker's effect on Wentzville has burdened our city for eight years and we can ill afford another conspiracy to get a foot-hold in our city. If any of Guccione's recruits are elected it will have a huge negative impact on Wentzville for years to come. The only thing left to do is find a new independent thinking candidate to replace Guccione in 2013, then Wentzville will be able to move forward without agendas or conspiracy in our government. I'd agree with Guccione that he's a good and ethical Alderman, but then we'd both be wrong.

The Epiphany

Last nights "Special Meeting" was as expected—fairly boring. There were a few moments of flimsy interest between naps and even though the aldermen discussed subjects of great significance to the city, it had been a long day. It was like listening to someone read columns of large numbers but instead all you hear is an angelic breathy-voice singing "Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur..." That dream goes on until the person next to you pokes you in the ribs with his elbow because the snoring was getting loud (thank you Sir Cumference). The struggle to stay awake lasted until the "Work Session" portion of the meeting.

Before I get into the meeting, I'd like to take a moment to talk a little about Mayor Lambi. He has always been an excellent orator and a  very good representative of Wentzville. I watched him conduct the meeting and admired his ability to communicate, keep decorum, and his knowledge of Roberts Rules of Order. Regardless of the outcome of his current troubles, he was good for Wentzville. I sat there thinking of our next Mayor and how they would carry out the business of the city.

Image is a very important aspect of being mayor, how we are perceived by the outside world is crucial to a progressive city such as Wentzville. The election to be held next month is unique to Wentzville, it will be the first time a Mayor is to be elected for a four-year term. Throughout the history of Wentzville, there have been numerous one-term (two-year) mayors, who were dumped for one reason or another. Today, we don't have the option of eliminating a dysfunctional mayor after his first two-year term. When you go to the polls to elect either Leon Tow or Darrel Lackey you can be sure you have chosen a mayor with the experience and knowledge to lead our city for the next four years.

There was one humorous thing happen during the "Staff Reports" when the board was addressed by Chief Harrison and purchasing manager; Jerry Hillin. The topic of discussion was city-wide uniformity of employee  uniforms. Hillin spoke of cost saving ideas such as; returning uniforms for replacement rather than allowing employees a set amount they can spend on uniforms each year. He went on to cite the example: "Some employees are required to wear steel-toed boots in the performance of their duties and are allowed $150 per year for the boots." He stated that many of those employees at higher levels don't wear out the boots at the same rate as those who are in the trenches and he suggests; "If the employees were required to turn in their old boots when requesting new ones, it could have a cost-savings for the city."

Hillin went on to talk about jeans and other apparel and a policy that was written in 2009 presented to City Administrator Dianna Wright. He said: "Some employee(s) went out and bought pink headbands and pink socks with their uniform allowance, after that, the policy was thrown out prior to getting Board approval." I never caught the connection between the policy and pink socks but there must be some for Wright to can it.

The board and staff discussed this matter for what seemed like hours when Alderman Nick Guccione had an epiphany, he asked of Hillin; "Why don't you make the employees turn in their old boots before getting new ones?" A great suggestion, so insightful, I wonder why Hillin didn't think of it. At one point in the "Work Session" Guccione wanted to make a motion, Mayor Lambi had to tell him that no decisions or votes are taken in "Work Sessions," we don't set policy or legislate, making a motion is out of order.  My question here is; why after five years on the Board of Aldermen he doesn't know governmental procedure? Remember; this alderman is the one who is running for mayor. It appears, not only is he  indecisive and a poor communicator, his focus and attention to matters at hand may be somewhat impaired.