The Weston Chronicle

That’s what’s happening to the Park Board right now. Some of the members are fed up with what they see as a lack of support from the Mayor and have no confidence in the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen.
• Who could have stepped in years ago to stop the Bless Park Debacle, a Concessionaire plan cooked up by the subcommittee of Greg Hoffman (who as liaison probably shouldn’t have been involved at all), Paul Schwennesen, and Sarah Stout (who has since opposed the plan). The Schwennesens ended up as the only bidder, under Benthe’s name. 
• The Mayor could have stepped in to make sure the contract protected the city. “Not yet. I want Paul to own this,” he said.
• He could have removed Mr. Schwennesen from the board after the contract was signed for conflict of interest. How does a husband sit on a board whose responsibility is to enforce a contract with his wife? “Not yet.”
• He could have removed Greg Hoffman from the Park Board La is on Position after a number of combative sessions with members of the board and the public, but told members and this reporter he wanted to wait until after the next election.
• He could have let the Park Board withdraw from the Concessionaire Contract after the Schwennesens were in Breach of Contract, but then took on the job of coming to a settlement with the couple that involved a payout of $20,000.
He told the Park Board there was talk they would sue, but never produced any evidence in their closed session or when asked about it by this reporter. The settlement cost not only $10,000 each from the City and Park Board, but Public Works employees were sent with a city Bobcat to Bless Park to help move the Camping Platforms out intact.
• He could have talked with Mark Seymour about taking on the Liaison Post before going to the Park Board with the choice, which turned out not to be a choice. (I’m assuming he didn’t since Mr. Seymour declined the post two days later. Possibly he changed his mind.)
Greg has fans on the Park Board, but it’s probably been a pleasure for everyone on the board when he missed several meetings recently. Those were cordial meetings where things got done without rancor or chaos.
It’s a shame other members of the board or the Mayor didn’t take the time to sit in and see for themselves, because now, key, knowledgeable members of the Park Board waited for relief and it didn’t happen. Now they’re gone.

No Confidence

  Opinion and Local

Below is an excerpt from Beth's editorial from this week.  The entire editorial may be found in this week's print copy of the Weston Chronicle or online here.

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Beth McPherson, Editor

​​Weston • Platte County • Missouri