Apology X 2

Back to the business of reporting the highlights of the last BOA...
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
March 8

The meeting did not start on time, the result of Closed Session which began at 6:30 and went on well past the appointed 7PM start time for the BOA meeting.  (FYI, Closed Sessions are shielded from attendance by the public, and must have specific reasons cited to be Closed, as described in the Missouri Code.)  Chief Gary was visible through the windows on the door, presumably the Aldermen, Mayor and City Attorney were in attendance as well.  The few attendees from the public were able to sit in the City Office while awaiting the end of the session.  It is quite unusual for a Closed Session to begin prior to the BOA, almost often if they are held it is after the Public business has been conducted.  Kind of rude to let those waiting for the BOA to make them cool their heels.

Heels duly cooled, we were eventually allowed to enter the Hall for the BOA meeting.  The Mayor began by issuing an apology for starting the meeting "a few minutes late" (actually my watch had 20 minutes).  Apology#1

Apology #2 was really odd.  It came during the section, "Comments from Aldermen".  When it was Brian Stevenson's turn, he said he wanted to make a "public apology" to Aldermen Finn and Clark. The apology was about an email he had sent to them "about a year ago".  You might recall there was quite a controversy regarding Stevenson's quest for a replat of three fishing lots, which eventually came to a vote for the BOA, Finn and Clark voted no.  Stevenson lawyered up, threatened to sue the City, Finn and Clark relented, a revote and Stevenson got his wish.  Following this?  During the pushback regarding their vote (Finn/Clark) Stevenson sent an email (with a long cc list) exhibiting his unhappiness.  In any event, time heals all wounds, Stevenson is building his house, and I guess his last gesture to his colleagues was to kiss and make up...well not kiss...and not sure about making up...whatever.