Hussey Stomps Gossett in Landslide, Wright Defeats Stokes By 55 Votes,Prop E Passes

April 8, 2014

Tonight's elections throughout St. Charles County brought several surprises. The St. Charles County Ambulance District got its Proposition E to pass with a large ~58% (~19,000 votes) to ~41% (~13,000 votes)
voter approval. The new 11 cent property tax is reported to increase a real estate property's tax bill by $42 on a home worth $200,000.00.  The success of the measure will create a couple more ambulance bases, fill currently vacant positions and allow for the first district employees' raise in some three years.

Alderman-Elect Hussey

In Wentzville, Alderman-elect Robert Hussey trounced current Alderman Gossett by a margin of  some 40 percent. The not-yet-official tally was Hussey with 638 votes and Gossett with 253. Reported polling had Hussey ahead nearly the entire election cycle, but no one seemed to believe Hussey would run away with the election the way tonight's numbers indicate. Hussey credited his wife's campaign management as a major factor in his decisive win.

Alderman-Elect Wright

Perhaps the most surprising -- but closer -- race was between Alderman-elect Linda Wright and current Wentzville Alderman Rick Stokes.  Again, reported polling had Alderman Stokes ahead by a few percentage points throughout this aldermanic election cycle. However,
Linda Wright looks to have won the seat by some 55 votes. The margin of victory is nearly 8 percent and so should not trigger an automatic recount however. The New Wentzvillian left a message for Ms. Wright, but has not heard word from her.

Many Wentzville pundits point to Mayor Guccione's and Missouri Representative Bryan Spencer's open endorsements of Wright and Hussey as significant catalysts to their victories. Some say that a New Wentzvillian article that circulated throughout Wentzville may have had an impact as well.  The story involved Alderman Stokes interaction with citizen Jason Johns in the parking lot of Buffalo Wild Wings about a year or so ago. The piece included statements from Alderman Stokes and a server that works for Buffalo Wild Wings.  Mr. Johns posted his version of events as comments on blogs about the story.

Wentzville's Mayor Guccione said "Wright and Hussey's hard work, deep commitment, concern for Wentzville and resumes are what allowed them to prevail. I welcome them to the board."

Grand Master and Alderman-elect Michael Rhoades will take over Wentzville Alderman Sonya Shryock's Ward 2 seat. Shryock did not run for re-election and Rhoades was unopposed.

Former Cottleville Mayor Don Yarber was unable to capture an aldermanic seat in his Ward 2 run. Donald Buchheit will take the seat instead with a an impressive 173 to 99 vote victory.

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