In the Media
Recaps of major stories are given below. Follow current Wildwood area news and events via the Facebook and Twitter links at the top right of this page.
Vetting Local Candidates
January 8, 2024
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The letter entitled 'Vetting Local Candidates,' by Scott Ottenberg, was published in the January 8, 2024, issue of the Eureka Leader. Click the link underlined in the previous sentence to read the article.
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Celebrating America
June 25th
Scott Ottenberg's letter entitled 'Celebrating America' was published in the June 22, 2023 issue of Westnews Magazine and in the Eureka Leader under the title 'We Have much to Celebrate on July 4'
Click the underlined links above for the entire article.
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A quote from the article follows below:
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Today, the United States of America is the envy of the civilized world. It may have its faults, but it is still the preferred destination of people the world over seeking freedom and a new way of life. Let’s all take time this July Fourth to celebrate the Declaration of Independence and the great gift of liberty we all enjoy!
Honor the Families of Those Who Serve
November 1, 2023
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The letter entitled 'Honor the Families of Those Who Served,' by Scott Ottenberg, was published in the November 1, 2023, issue of West Newsmagazine. Click the link below to read the article:
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Wildwood Will Not Pass Along Utility Tax Increase to Residents
March ​
March 13, 2023
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The Missouri Public Service Commission recently approved a 7% rate increase on gas provided by Spire. Wildwood currently imposes a 5% gross receipts tax on businesses supplying gas to the city.
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The city had the option to either leave the current tax rate unchanged or to adjust it. Mayor Jim Bowlin proposed legislation adjusting the tax rate to approximately 4.8%. If the legislation passed, residents would not pay additional taxes resulting from the gas price increase.
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Council Member Scott Ottenberg motioned that the proposed legislation reducing the gross receipts tax to approximately 4.8% be approved by the city council. The legislation was subsequently approved by a unanimous vote.
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Stricter Penalties to Deter Car Thefts
December 13, 2021
Council Member Scott Ottenberg supported and voted for stricter penalties to deter car theft at the Wildwood City Council Meeting held on December 13, 2021. Stricter penalties are being enacted for activities such as "vehicle prowling," which includes the repeated flipping of car door handles to see if they are unlocked. Stricter penalties are also being enacted for those caught riding in stolen vehicles. These penalties are one more step in efforts to enhance safety for Wildwood residents.
Tax Issue Postponed
December 13, 2021
The Wildwood City Council voted not to put a use tax issue on the April 5, 2022, ballot. Council Member Scott Ottenberg, Ward 3, expressed concerns about the burden a new tax would potentially create for city residents. He stated that inflationary pressures are already creating a significant economic burden for residents.
“The annual inflation rate is now 6.8% as of the end of November, the highest it's been since 1982. Energy costs are up 33%; gasoline specifically is up 58%; food is up 6%; new vehicle prices are up 11% and used vehicle prices are up 31%."
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The city council voted to postpone further discussion of the tax issue indefinitely.
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Please click on the link below to read a Westnews Magazine article about the discussion of the tax proposal that took place during the December 13, 2021, city council meeting.
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Wildwood postpones use tax issue indefinitely | News | westnewsmagazine.com
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West Newsmagazine (June 17, 2021): "Wildwood Appoints New City Council Member"
At the meeting June 14, Scott Ottenberg was appointed to the Wildwood City Council Ward 3 vacant position to replace Dr. Ken Remy, who resigned in April to take a job in Cleveland.
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Per the city charter, Ottenberg will serve one year of the two-year term, with an election for the second year to occur in 2022.
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Ottenberg has lived in Wildwood for more than 25 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, as well as an MBA, and is currently a sales manager at CBM, Inc.
His volunteer experience includes working with the Haven House in St. Louis and as a self-defense instructor at the YMCA in Chesterfield. He has plenty of experience in that area as he has a third degree black belt.
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Mayor Jim Bowlin said he conducted an exhaustive search and spoke with several people about the position.
“His neighbors and everyone around him seem to think the world of him,” Bowlin said.
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Remy attended the meeting and voiced his approval, saying he believes Ottenberg will make a “fantastic candidate.”
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Ottenberg is also an avid biker, as council member Tracey Nyhan (Ward 3) can attest to, frequently seeing him riding through her neighborhood.
Ottenberg has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, as well as an MBA.
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“Scott will bring solid experience to the council, and I look forward to working with him as a member of our team,” Bowlin said in a statement.
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The council unanimously approved Ottenberg’s appointment to city council and to the Economic Development Committee, Community Outreach Task Force, and Watershed Erosion Task Force.
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(The article above was written for West Newsmagazine by Cathy Lenny)
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