Get ready for some political drama in 2024. Platte County seems primed for such. Hey, and why not? Feels like we’re overdue, really.
What kind of political/governmental drama may be upcoming on the local news scene? All kinds of things. And it starts soon. Like real soon. Perhaps before most of you have had a chance to read this column.
Tonight (Wednesday) at 6 p.m., the Platte City Board of Aldermen has called a special meeting to “review a personnel related matter with legal counsel.”
The agenda item, of course, is vague by design on personnel matters. The timing is interesting because we’ve been hinting/telling you in this column space for a while now there is and has been some personnel drama going on at City Hall in Platte City over the past several months. Just know that if any specific motion or action comes as a result of this executive session it will be public information in due time and we will report it to you at the earliest opportunity.
So keep watching this newspaper and if there are any notable updates we will, of course, get them to you. In fact it wouldn’t hurt for you to be watching our website at plattecountylandmark.com and our Facebook page (Platte County Landmark) in between each of the weekly print editions of this fine newspaper.
As we’ve hinted, it hasn’t exactly been a smooth first few months at the helm for DJ Gehrt’s replacement, Marji Gehr, in the city administrator role with Platte City.
It’s too early to be more specific but staff turnover, some alleged HR matters that are concerning, a reported short fuse, sensitivity to the slightest bits of criticism, some unrest in the ranks, questions over whether elected officials are being provided complete and accurate information they need on personnel matters, the handling of some staff members vs. the handling of other staff members, and some less than tactful handling of public relations matters, to name just a few situations that are being talked about in insider circles and also about town.
“I think she has her hands full,” one close observer of city business says of Gehr, and at this point I believe that to be an understatement.
It will be interesting to see if she can right the ship or if that ship has already sailed too far off course. Ask me which way I’m leaning.
Working with DJ Gehrt in charge of the city’s matters in past years, the current board of aldermen was very much a hands-off board, which isn’t a bad thing under those circumstances. But an experienced city administrator isn’t in charge these days and it seems the tide has turned to where elected officials need to become more in tune with what’s going on inside City Hall on a day-to-day basis.
Aldermen asking more–and more specific–questions and embracing leadership roles would seem to be a necessary place to start. From this chair it seems the current mayor, Tony Paolillo, is too close/too friendly with the city administrator to either see, recognize or accept that there are problems. Let’s be honest, he isn’t the most “aware” mayor the city has ever had. Example: Earlier this year when I called Paolillo about all the talk by some at the county to relocate the Platte County Courthouse out of Downtown Platte City, Paolillo told me he was not aware those discussions were taking place, and added that if the county wanted to move the courthouse there was nothing he could do about it. His lack of knowledge of the very public discussions was embarrassing. The lack of fighting spirit in his reaction to hearing the news about a courthouse move that would be devastating to his city’s downtown was even more disappointing. A defeatist attitude is not what you want in a mayor.
Some leadership from the aldermen is desperately needed right now before things spiral further south. Continuing down the current path doesn’t seem likely to have a happy ending.
Current members of the Platte City Board of Aldermen are:
Vickie Atkins, ward one alderman; Dan Laxson, ward one alderman; Steve Hoeger, ward two alderman; Troy Miller, ward 2 alderman; John Higgins, ward 3 alderman; Debbie Kirkpatrick, ward 3 alderman.
Hoeger on Tuesday filed to run against Paolillo for mayor.
“As an alderman for the past six years I have enjoyed serving the citizens of Platte City and think I can offer even more as mayor. I learned about city government by watching former Mayor Frank Offutt and recently retired City Administrator DJ Gehrt. During their tenures they helped the city develop and grow with little drama and good public support. Their presence is missed by many and I hope to continue that legacy,” Hoeger said this week.
Over the past few months I’ve hinted at problems at Platte City City Hall more times than Isiah Pacheco’s helmet has come off this season. And, as fellow Chiefs fans know, that’s a high number. Consider the hints and not a more blunt reaction to be a professional courtesy, if you will. Some readers might say I have shown more patience than I used to.
To this point, we can only conclude that elected officials are either:
- Not getting the message.
- Pretending to not get the message, being disingenuous and going on about their business as if things are fine even though they know differently.
- Not confident enough in their own abilities to address the topics.
- They know what’s going on but think everything that’s going on is fine.
Some of our earliest hints at major problems inside City Hall appeared in my Nov. 15 column. Immediately after that column appeared in print, I received this anonymous letter in the US mail. It was postmarked on Nov. 17.
“Dear Mr. Editor:
Your November 15, 2023 “Between the Lines” article is on the right track. You must know the whole story and are waiting for the right time to print?
If you aren’t aware of what’s going on in City Hall and the rest of the May 5 incident, please don’t stop your investigative reporting. The truth must come out.
The city’s elected officials are not taking the action needed.
I’m in fear of retaliation to speak up and ashamed for not signing this letter.
Please know that what I write is the truth.”
(2024 promises to be a newsy year with drama and whatnot. Email Foley at ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)