Aimless

KC Star Election Guide, March 30

Current WL Mayor Botbyl
Question:  What would you like to see change?

Answer: "I believe that things are going well at this point within our city and would not want to make any changes.."

Pardon the interruption but is that a vision statement you would expect from a mayor?  Would you accept status quo from a city that has no written plans for roads, sewer, water.  In this past year the water bill fiasco, and lack of response to the FEMA problem both lead back to the mayor.  Does the city have a succession plan for two critical positions, Chief of Police and Director of Public Works?  (think about that one for a moment...Gary and George won't be here forever).  As I have pointed out, as have others, the City web site, one of the primary means of information of the city continues to be not fully functional and out of date.  No changes.  I don't think we can afford to float along any more.

Answer continued:
"except to see new energy and skills to the Board of Aldermen"

Allow me to translate for you if you have not been following city politics. I have mentioned the acrimony between East Ward Alderman Stevenson and Aldermen Finn and Clark.  The issue is Stevenson's pursuit of property at WL and Finn and Clark's votes in regards to the Planning Commission's recommendation on Stevenson's request.  Botbyl has taken a position of supporting Stevenson.  In a pure act of political payback two candidates have been promoted to oust Clark and Finn.  Additionally Clark and Finn have been active challengers to the Mayor on a number of other issues.  Solution?  Opt for "new energy" on the Board.  An example of this is Surma's comments in the Star about "improprieties".  This was in response to the question of change.  What?  This parrots the squawking of Stevenson and his crew (refer to his email to Don Coleman).

So you have a mayor who is disengaged from the Board of Aldermen, except to be involved in a property issue of one of the aldermen, honestly has no vision for the future of our City and would love to have a rubber stamp board to make the 3 hours he spends in City Hall a bit easier.

Is that what you want?