"Continued Responsible Leadership"

Headline from the Botbyl campaign information

You manage things, you lead people, that is a quote from the late Admiral Grace Hopper.  The Mayor of a class IV city in Missouri has to do both to be successful.  If you have read Botbyl's flyer you would probably say he has done both, right? You be the judge.

Curious how the flyer has 14 "I/My" and 0 "we".  You would think his accomplishments happened at the snap of his fingers.  Fact of the matter is, the Board has the ultimate power in the City, leaving the mayor to vote when there are procedural tie votes.  I think it is fair to say Mr Botbyl cannot be mistaken for the Great Communicator.  I have observed information discussed at BOA meetings that was not in the aldermen's meeting packets.  Frustrating, because I have been there.

He says he has saved you (taxpayers) $650,881.25.  You might ask exactly how his math brought him to this conclusion?  While you are at it, you might ask Pat when this retiring of debt began, it certainly wasn't with Botbyl.

His administration had one audit.  Did he initiate any improvements or processes from his predecessor?  No.

It goes on and on, a litany of "significant accomplishments".  Almost funny, "Continued our crack sealing and road repair throughout the city".  Who was the Mayor when the machine was purchased and the program started?  York.  Who was the Mayor that initiated the "Radio Read Water Meters"?  York (Bos halted the program once he took office).  "Managed the new housing boom"  What?  I think the President of the KC Fed (WL citizen Esther George) gets a little credit here.  The City issues the permits, inspects the buildings.  Ironically one of the biggest problems in West Ridge has been the lax performance when it comes to builders policing trash/erosion control/parking.  Who was the biggest voice on the Board complaining about lack of enforcement?  Not the Mayor.  East Ward Alderman Finn (as you know, West Ridge is on the West) brought up the issue many times to what seemed to be a tone deaf administration.

"Open Issues"
There are no I or My in this section, no, he refers to "the city" in regards to the FEMA disaster and "City Hall" referring to the Water Billing Error.  You might recall the letter to citizens informing them of  the FEMA snafu was signed "The City Staff".  Pat assures you "the city continues to monitor" while the WLIC has taken the bull by the horns.  When the letter was sent pointing out the water meter problem, it was signed " The Water Department".  Who is the chief administrative officer of the City.  Who should be leading the City?  Who is responsible? Yes, you are right.  The Mayor is responsible.