West Siders Only

OK, if you live on the fashionable East Side you can take a peek as well.

Election time for WL next Tuesday, West Siders have two candidates to choose from, incumbent Doug Richmond and newcomer Daniel Berglund.

Doug
Originally appointed to take the place of then Alderman Botbyl upon Botbyl's election to Mayor. When Doug was introduced to the BOA, Botbyl mentioned they were friends as was their wives. Holding true to form, Richmond has been an unrelenting supporter of Botbyl, along with Alderman Stevenson.  The result was a number of tie votes requiring the tie breaking vote of the Mayor.  Aldermen Finn and Clark were stymied with this line up.  My personal observation of Doug during the BOA meetings, in a word, Lackluster.  Often silent, few questions, certainly no passion.  In the Star interview of March 29th, projects he favors, replacing the sewage lift stations and secondary water source for the City.  Technically the lift stations are a WLIC project and the water source project has languished, literally, for years.  Not much there.

Dan
Represents what I call the New Generation of WL residents, 30 to 40 year olds, children, recently moved to WL.  They bring a new perspective to our City, both in age and demographics, something I think is needed in our City.  Historically city government has been in the purview of, shall we say, more "mature" individuals (well I hesitate to say seasoned/old/retired because I qualify for all three).  The current BOA has Aldermen Clark and Finn who bring a long history of living here as well as being active in the community.  Dan would bring a nice balance to the BOA, along with Rick Footer...I will get to him tomorrow.

Mayor Botbyl called for change during last year's election, hoping to unseat Finn and Clark.  That didn't happen as they were reelected.  So maybe this year, change will happen.

I am voting for Dan, I recommend (if you are a West Sider) you do too.  East Siders, tell your West Side friends to vote for Dan Berglund.  Time for change.

"I chose not to put it on the agenda"

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
March 8

A quote from Mayor Botbyl regarding the issue of the Community Center use for a candidates forum.  The "I" was a result of Alderman Finn calling out Botbyl for the use of "we"...he first said "we decided".
Alderman Clark had researched the issue on his own after the last BOA discussion.  He reached out to the Missouri Municipal League (MML) for an opinion on the free use of the CC.  They in turn recommended touching base with the Missouri Ethics Commission.  Clark in turn passed along the phone number of the attorney for the Commission to the WL City Attorney.

It is my understanding there are no legal precedents/cases to prevent the City from hosting a Forum. During the discussion of the issue, I asked the City Attorney of his findings...he said, "I would not comment because it is a work product of the City".  He said he would answer my question with the permission of the Mayor...which was not forthcoming.

Another example of the Mayor usurping the Board.  BTW, during the discussion Aldermen Richmond and Stevenson were mute...my interpretation is either they agreed with the Mayor or did not want to engage on the subject.
 

In Case You Missed It...

I know, I know...AWOL, but with good reasons.  In any event last month's BOA minutes and April election previews coming...but first...

In case you missed the Candidates Forum for the upcoming WL election...well, you actually didn't miss it, because there wasn't one and there won't be one.  You can thank Mayor Botbyl for that.  I have lived here for 18 years and there were community forums held when there have been contested elections during those years, usually at the WL Community Center.  Last year there was a Forum at the CC, but candidate Finn put up the CC rental fee...due the intransigence of Botbyl on the issue of the CC being available at not cost.  Ironically, Botbyl participated in the freebie hosted by Finn and, as you know, went on to win the election for Mayor.

More about this tomorrow.  One week from today the City election will be held.  In my opinion, it offers residents the chance to elect new faces on both sides of the lake, good for the City.  More on that as well...coming.
 

BOA Tonight

The last meeting prior to the municipal election next month.  We do know that at least one new alderman (Eastside) will be seated in April and who knows, maybe a second based on the contested seat with the incumbent, Richmond, vs Berglund.  I sense change in the wind, positive for sure. There will be a candidates forum at the end of the month (to be announced) so stay tuned.

Thinking Out Loud

A couple of folks have commented about the Christmas trees piled up at the Venita Access area.  I have pointed out in the past (you can dive the blog to see) my concerns of the cumulative amount of cinder blocks (used to anchor the trees), wire (to fasten the trees to the blocks) and the trees themselves.  Just do the math, for the sake of round numbers, in the past ten years.

• 400+ trees
• 100 cinder blocks
• yards of wire

4,000 trees, 1,000 cinder blocks, unkown yards of metal wire...and of course this has been going on much longer than 10 years.  The sponsor for the effort has been the WL Fishing Club to maintain and improve the fish population at WL with approval by the WLIC Board.  Before the hysteria begins...I am not suggesting the effort be discontinued, I just wonder, as others, how much is enough?  The WLIC has been vigilant in protecting the lake from outside contamination...but beyond benefiting  fishing, is there any harm to the lake.  What happens to the decaying trees?  Virtually all trees are painted (Yes Virginia, not naturally green).  What happens to the "melting" cinder blocks?  What about the wire?

I am told many of the trees are not from WL and a good portion are leftovers from Home Depot/Lowes?

One source (www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/tree_structure) suggests the main trunk and larger branches were still functioning as a useful fish attractor..."after 10 years", verified by a series of photos of trees submerged for 3,5 and ten years.

Time for a review of fish habitat practices?  

Desperado From Houston Lake

There has been an uptick in burglaries in the Northland as mentioned by our Police Department, although it is difficult to get details at the montly BOA.  Here is one you might find interesting...Information gleaned from the Landmark Newspaper, March 1, written by Ivan Foley (BTW there is no hope of getting info like this from the Star, my advice subscribe to the Landmark).

Charles B. Bridgeford, of Houston Lake, allegedly committed burglaries/theft in Weatherby Lake on January 17th to include:

• stole sunglasses, remote garage door opener, and coins from an unlocked vehicle on NW 81st Street
• stole a 1994 Jeep Wrangler from a residence at NW 77th Terrace.

The vehicle was spotted by KCMO PD later that day at 12th and Newton, KCMO.  Officer identified vehicle as stolen and gave pursuit, two occupants fled on foot.  Bridgeford was apprehended and had 12 plastic baggies with white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

Sweetheart...huh?  In addition he had a revoked driver's license because of a failure to appear.  He admitted he had taken the Jeep and driven it to his home in Houston Lake.

Word to the wise.  Chief Gary has posted to his column in the WLL many times about securing parked vehicles...maybe it is time to heed this if you have been leaving your vehicle open...think about the desperado using the garage opener to make an unexpected house call...Surprise!  Do you lock your home doors/windows...have security lighting, etc?  

Like it or not the desperados will continue to probe WL.