Wildwood voters will decide on a new mayor next month, though neither candidate is new to city politics.
Joe Garritano
Joe Garritano and Tony Salvatore are facing off on the April 2 ballot for the seat currently held by Jim Bowlin, who has served two full terms as mayor and is running for state Senate District 15.
Tony Salvatore
Garritano and Salvatore have experience on the Wildwood City Council.
Garritano has been a Ward 8 councilman since 2015 and is the mayor pro tem, acting as mayor in the absence of Bowlin. He also is on the board of the Missouri Municipal League and works as a financial advisor and adjunct professor at St. Louis University.
Salvatore, a retired pilot who served with the U.S. Air Force and worked for TWA-American Airlines, served on the City Council from 2007-2009. Since then, he’s run unsuccessfully for the council and U.S. House of Representatives. He also volunteers with the Veterans Administration.
He also filed a lawsuit against Wildwood in 2019 that claimed the city was infringing on his First Amendment rights by not allowing him to carry a political sign on a public right-of-way. In that case, Salvatore was awarded a settlement of nearly $300,000.
In preparation for the April election, the Leader sent surveys to both candidates concerning their backgrounds and issues facing the city.
Garritano said the biggest issue facing Wildwood is responsible growth that preserves the area’s natural beauty and open spaces.
“I am dedicated to upholding the master plan, ensuring 3-acre minimum lot sizes outside the town center, and promoting environmental stewardship,” he said.
He also said there are economic challenges faced by local businesses, adding that he would aim to boost the situation by “supporting and attracting small businesses that reflect our community’s values.”
“My commitment extends to good governance and improving residents’ quality of life, focusing on ethical, transparent leadership, addressing community needs and ensuring Wildwood not only preserves its unique character but thrives,” Garritano said.
Salvatore said the main issue facing the city is a lack of government transparency.
“(The city is) unresponsive to constituents’ concerns while acquiescing to developers’ and builders’ requests,” he said. “I would make residents’ input paramount, stop secret meetings and stop donations to elected officials from developers.”
Salvatore said the city government’s relationship with its residents is at stake when there is a lack of transparency in many dealings, citing what he called an “unlawful no-bid $50 million trash contract” executed in closed sessions without input from residents.
Last year, the City Council approved new contracts with Republic Services and Gateway Disposal LLC for trash and recycling services that resulted in fee increases for residents.
An anonymous complaint was filed with the state Auditor’s Office, and an investigation into the contracts was opened. Ultimately, the office opted to take no action.
“Submitting the trash contracts to a new legal, uncorrupted bid process is the only solution,” Salvatore said. “The city had seven months to find a new provider for trash services, but they chose to throw out the only legitimate and low-cost bidder, Meridian, and colluded with Republic and Gateway to write their own contracts and fees without a legal bid process or any performance penalties.”
Garritano said the trash issue comes back to inflation and a lack of providers that keeps costs increasing throughout the region.
“I will fight against this trend while refusing to sacrifice standards,” he said, noting that enforceable standards are key to the contracts as the city has struggled with substandard service being provided to residents in the past. “Keeping costs down is critical for our residents. I will continue to fight for affordable service, while enforcing service standards for our residents.”
Garritano points to his tenure on the council as proof of his commitment to the area.
“Wildwood’s unmatched natural beauty and community spirit are the cornerstones of my commitment,” he said. “My goals, if elected, focus on ensuring good governance and enhancing residents’ quality of life, protecting our master plan and natural resources and boosting economic vitality by supporting small businesses that reflect our community’s values.”
Salvatore said his focus will be on accessibility for residents when it comes to city governance. He said he would eliminate the time limit on public comments at city meetings and seek to move meeting times later to better accommodate residents’ schedules.
“I will restore transparency,” he said. “No more fast-tracking zoning and variances for developers and builders – residents first.”
The mayor, who is limited to two consecutive four-year terms, is paid $10,000 a year.
