After a month as a Park Board member, Michael Goentzel resigned April 24, citing danger from a resident of 625 Welt Street. Mr. Goentzel has a full order of protection granted April 23 against Clay Spears for Adult Stalking and Abuse. 
In his resignation letter, Mr. Goentzel said, “I have recently found out that I will have some serious conflicts of interests between me and individuals in town. It is for that sad reason that I will have to step down from park board. 
“Before yesterday I took solace in knowing that someone was the voice of reason in his life. However, in court yesterday I learned that there was very concerning information about Mr Spears withheld from myself and the organization we belonged to.”
Then on April 29, Sarah Stout, President of the Park Board, e-mailed her colleagues, “It has been my pleasure to serve the community of Weston as a Member of the Park Board since 2019.  I really have too much on my plate currently- and I have had- but I served as well as I could as your President since last August, and it is my regret to inform you that my time as a volunteer is ending. Effective immediately, I am resigning from my position. I wish you all the best, and thank you for the opportunity.”
Tuesday morning, Nancy Honerkamp, Park Board Vice President, sent out, “I am resigning my position on the Weston Park Board.”
These follow a bizarre couple of meetings last week. On Wednesday, Aldermen Steve Unfred told the Park Board members he had been asked by Mayor Kent Stelljes to offer the Park Board the opportunity to vote for the alderman they would like to have as a liaison. He said the choice was between present liaison Greg Hoffman or Mark Seymour. 
Ms. Stout and Verna Kowertz both said they wanted someone other than Hoffman, who has a history of animosity toward them. Nancy Honerkamp suggested Steve, who is the Liaison for Public Works because the Park Board depends on Public Works for much of the parks maintenance.
Heather Pashman had no comment, nor did Paul Schwennesen, attending by phone. Alderman Hoffman was not at the meeting.
New members Richard Jones and Courtland Ingram said they didn’t know the Aldermen well enough to make a decision. Susan Finn said, “It’s time for the Mayor to step up and do his job.”
At the Board of Alderman Meeting
On Friday night, the Mayor tried again, affirming the liaison posts for each of the Aldermen already holding them (see below), except Park Board. He asked the aldermen if any of them would like to take on the liaison role with Park Board or if they would suggest anyone. 
Mark Seymour said he thought Greg Hoffman had done a good job and announced that he would not run again when his term is up next year.
Joyce Burch, caught by surprise, had nothing to say. Steve Unfred also had no comment, except to say that the Park Board only said for the Mayor to make the decision.
Mayor Stelljes said he was relying on Greg for a lot of work on a master plan for Planning and Zoning. Greg said he had a couple of projects he was working on with the Park Board, including the Orchard Hill Grant. “I’m one of only two people who know it in and out,” he said, although he had just missed the meeting where Sarah Stout had detailed the steps needed to advance the grant-funded work.
“I’m good with staying on board and seeing it through,” he said.
With that, the Mayor reappointed him liaison to the Park Board.

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​​Weston • Platte County • Missouri

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Weston’s American Legion Post 501 will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27th at 10:00 am at the Weston Veterans Memorial located on Highway 45 and adjacent to the Mid-Continent Public Library – Weston branch and the Weston Post Office. 
The guest speaker will be Major Zachary Layton a 2008 graduate from West Platte High School currently serving on active duty. 
Major Layton and family are attending the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 
Please join us on the 27th and take this opportunity to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and have played a large role in creating and sustaining the life that we enjoy today.

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Self-Storage Business Approved

For all of our news in full, please see this week's print and/or e-edition of the Weston Chronicle

The Weston Chronicle

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Memorial Day Ceremony Scheduled

It took two years and a final grilling by the Weston Board of Aldermen before Ryan Propheter was granted a special use exception to build a Self Storage business next to his building on Hwy, 45 at the eastern city limits. 
The business is planned for four buildings with storage units of various sizes. The final instructions of the council were for him to pave the more visible areas with asphalt or concrete, that he bring in the MoDOT approval for the entrance on to Highway 45, and that he set his operating hours, which will be 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The vote approving the use was 4-0.
The business will be fenced on all four sides, contain down lighting and be screened with shrubs and trees around the perimeter. 
At the special meeting, held Friday, April 26, the board accepted the April 2 Election Results. 
Mayor Kent Stelljes appointed Liaisons Mark Seymour to the Police Department, Joyce Burch to the Water Department, Steve Unfred to Public Works. 
Greg Hoffman will be Liaison to the Park Board and planning & Zoning.

Three Members Quit Park Board