(From Stotts City Mayor Tracy Knight) Mayor Tracy Knight is encouraging residents to carefully research and fully understand the implications of a petition that has begun circulating within the community seeking the dissolution of the City of Stotts City.
“Every resident has the right to participate in the democratic process,” Mayor Knight said. “However, I also believe every citizen deserves to understand what this decision could mean for the future of our community before signing a petition or casting a vote.”
Under Missouri law, a circulating petition alone does not dissolve a municipality. If the petition receives the number of signatures required by law and satisfies all applicable legal requirements, the matter may proceed through the statutory process and could ultimately be submitted to the voters. If approved through that process, Stotts City would cease to exist as an incorporated municipality, and its local municipal government would be dissolved in accordance with Missouri law.
Mayor Knight emphasized that the issue extends beyond politics.
“This is about preserving a community that has proudly existed since 1896. Like many residents, I recognize the frustration created by the recent audit findings and the governance challenges our city has experienced. Those concerns deserve accountability, transparency, and meaningful reform. My belief is that we should work together to restore our city—not lose it.”
With the Fourth of July approaching, Mayor Knight called on residents to reflect on the values that have sustained both the nation and small communities for generations.
“Independence Day reminds us that strong communities are built by people who refuse to give up during difficult times. Stotts City has overcome challenges throughout its nearly 130-year history because its people cared enough to work together.”
Mayor Knight concluded by encouraging residents to seek information from multiple sources, review Missouri law, and make informed decisions based on facts.
“Most importantly, let us remember that we are neighbors before we are divided by opinions. We all care deeply about the future of Stotts City. Regardless of differing viewpoints, I hope our community will continue to treat one another with respect, compassion, and a shared commitment to what is best for our town.”
Mayor Knight reaffirmed her commitment to improving transparency, strengthening accountability, and working alongside residents to preserve Stotts City’s future.
3 comments:
Let's be honest—there are other ways to address the issues in Stotts City. Dissolving the city won't make the questions, concerns, or past actions simply disappear. Accountability doesn't end because a city changes its status.
The citizens asking questions aren't the problem. Demanding transparency isn't the problem. Accountability is a fundamental part of public service. If officials have done nothing wrong, they should have no problem answering questions, providing public records, and explaining their decisions to the people they were elected to serve.
If the goal was to discourage citizens from speaking up, it's having the opposite effect. More people are paying attention than ever before. The people of Stotts City are determined not to give up. They want answers, they want accountability, and they want to take their town back through transparency, lawful government, and active citizen involvement.
Before anyone signs away the future of this city, ask questions, read the petition carefully, and make sure you understand exactly what you're giving up.
You go on and on about the state of this community, about the audit, about everything that’s wrong with everyone else. But you leave yourself out of it every single time. You don’t get to only tell the parts of the truth that make you look good while pointing fingers at everyone else. That’s not honesty, that’s spin. And people are starting to see it for exactly what it is.
Here’s an example: you knew well in advance that the alderman couldn’t make the June 26th meeting. You knew there wasn’t going to be quorum. And you opened that meeting and closed it anyway, just to technically say it happened. Where is your accountability in that? You made that choice. Nobody forced your hand. But somehow that never comes up when you’re busy talking about what everyone else in this town is doing wrong.
That’s the pattern, isn’t it? Everyone else gets scrutinized. Everyone else gets called out. But when it’s your own decisions, your own choices, your own role in how dysfunctional things have gotten — silence. Or worse, you find a way to make it someone else’s fault.
And while we’re on the subject of what’s wrong with this town — when are you actually going to do something about it? Trash-filled yards, right-of-ways full of junk, people straight-piping sewage because there’s no water or sewer enforcement — you talk about pride in this community, but talk doesn’t clean up a single yard or enforce a single ordinance. If you actually care about how this town looks and functions, start enforcing what’s already on the books instead of just commenting on how bad it is.
And here’s the part that really needs to be said: some of the worst offenders when it comes to trashy properties and disregard for this town are the same people who show up as your loudest supporters. If you’re serious about cleaning this town up, that has to include the people in your own corner, not just the people you’re comfortable criticizing. Otherwise it’s not accountability, it’s favoritism.
You want to talk about pride in this community? Have some pride in leading honestly. Quit managing your image and start managing the truth — the whole truth, including your part in it, and including the people around you. Because right now you’re not coming across as someone trying to fix this town. You’re coming across as a one-sided politician who’s only interested in looking good and protecting her own, not doing good for everyone.
If you actually want to close the divide instead of feeding it, that starts with you being honest about your own choices and holding your own supporters to the same standard as everyone else.
How many houses in Stotts City are not connected to the sewer? Where does their sewage go? Hopefully not into a straight pipe.
How many houses in Stotts City are connected to the city water and sewer but don't get a bill? Or get a bill that is never paid?
Howe many people in Stotts City have been getting away with their shady dealings and don't want the mayor or anyone else to let the sun shine in?
How many people in Stotts City are worried about getting caught and think the best way to make their problems go away is to have the whole city of Stotts City go away?
Just asking questions, does anyone smell 💩 💩 in Stotts City?
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