Third Council Member Slotted For Same Spot

The third time's the charm, or in this case, the third council member in the last three months. Wildwood resident Larry McGowen was sworn in at Monday's city council meeting to fill a vacant spot for Ward 1. The position initially would have been assumed by who was elected April 5, but then could not fulfill his responsibilities due to moving to Colorado for employment reasons.

A second candidate, , was presented and appointed on May 9, but then at the May 23 council meeting due to regulations in the city's charter. Kozlowski was nominated by Wildwood Mayor Tim Woerther and ratified by city council members in a divided 8-6 vote that Monday, which was ruled to not legally meet the requirements of having a majority of council votes, or nine of 16 in approval of the appointment.

When the May 9 meeting started, only 15 council members were seated. One member, John McCulloch, was absent that night, leaving only 14 present. City attorney Rob Golterman eventually ruled the vote of 8-6 for Kozlowski did not meet the requirement of nine votes, and therefore was deemed null.

On Monday evening, again the recommendation process was followed for McGowen by Woerther. This time, the candidate was ratified by fellow council members by a unanimous vote of the 13 present council members. Three representatives were absent Monday evening:  Jim Kranz, Ed Marshall and John McCulloch.

McGowen is a 16-year resident of the city, having settled here in October 1994. He explained that he and his wife were attracted to Wildwood's natural beauty. "I hope to see that beauty preserved for a long time to come," he said.

The other Ward 1 council member, David Geile, said McGowen's financial-related experience would be beneficial to Wildwood, especially due to the "resident CPA on council" , recently leaving with his terms of service concluding.

McGowen, CPA, serves as a principal, vice president and secretary, for Huber, Ring, Helm & Co. in Brentwood. According to the firm's website, he specializes in providing estate tax planning, estate and trust administration, and elder care services to individuals and their family members. He also has provided audit, tax, accounting, and consulting services to nonprofit organizations of all types. He serves on the Planned Giving Council of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross, and consults for the Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts. He graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a bachelor's degree in business administration.