Volunteer Roles Filled in Wildwood

Among usual agenda items for city council members at Monday evening's meeting were several mayoral appointments. Appointments originate from the mayor but must be ratified, or voted on and approved, by council members.

Mary Lou Long, Ward 7, was reappointed to the Historic Preservation Commission; she was not present at Monday's meeting. The goal of this committee is to oversee matters about the city's historic ordinances and to implement activities related to the city's historic registar. There are seven individuals serving on this group, along with two city council liaisons and one liaison from the Planning and Zoning Comission.

The appointment of Ray Manton, Ward 2, for the city's Board of Ethics did not pass. The vote was 7-9. He was not present at Monday's meeting. Volunteers who serve on this committee conduct inquiries as appropriate to determine if there is cause to believe a violation has occurred. The committee is comprised of three individuals.

Paul Wojciechowski, Ward 8, was reappointed for the city's Board of Adjustment. He is a former city council member, and had served on the Planning and Zoning Commission as well. He also participated two years ago on the citizens' committee for the Town Center Advisory Panel (TCAP) project. Volunteers who serve on this committee review variances that are requested from the city. He attended Monday's meeting.

A new Economic Development Task Force for Wildwood recently was formed. A motion was made to vote on the recommended appointees individually. Four of the five proposed task force members, who also are city council members, were approved:  David Geile, Larry McGowen, Harry Lemay and Larry Goodson. The vote for Tammy Shea did not pass 7-9.

In June, Shea delivered a presentation to members of the Wildwood Planning, Economic Development and Parks Committee (PEP) about the research she had done regarding business expansion in other cities. It encompassed what other municipalities did to set visions and goals for their economic development.

Shea's presentation included concepts such as community development opportunities, economic gardening, budgets, effective leadership traits of elected officials, green economy initiatives and potential next steps. Her conclusion was that an approach called "sustainable enterprise" was the new direction to head.

During the public comment portion of Monday's meeting at city hall, Wildwood resident and former city council member Jean Vedvig said, "I cannot remember a time in the history of this city that a single appointed member was picked out and voted down. Councilmember Shea was the only one who actually published articles on economic development. She was anxious to benefit the city. I've never seen this type of behavior."

Part of the ongoing contention mentioned by several people during this process has been that Shea is a Wildwood business owner who chose to relocate her business location to Chesterfield.