Thank you for visiting my campaign page. My name is Stephen Wesche, and I am running for Bridgeton City Council. I have lived in Bridgeton my entire life and purchased a house here in 2011.
I am running for City Council, not because I am dissatisfied with where we are, but because I want to do everything I can to make sure we continue to grow as a city.
I grew up in Spanish Village subdivision and went to Carrollton Elementary, Holman Middle School, and graduated from Pattonville High School in 2007. I must have been an okay kid because many of these teachers still give me a hug when our paths cross.
I have worked all around the IT industry over the years. I started in sales and moved to a Helpdesk roll quickly thereafter. After working Helpdesk, I moved to a role as a Telecommunications Engineer where I traveled across the country configuring computer networks and phone systems. In 2020 I changed roles to my current position as a Systems Engineer with a focus on Cyber Security. November 2022 marked 10 years with the company I work for, and I have been able to watch it grow from 700 employees to over 3500 employees.
My experience in the IT industry has taught me many things that I feel will be useful on the city council. It has taught me how to work together with strong personalities to get things done. My career has also taught me that is okay to not know everything and that sometimes you need to put pride aside and listen to the expert in the room. Due to my work travels, I learned how to be a project manager and to manage multiple teams of people in the field at multiple locations. Dealing with Cyber Security I have learned how to act fast and constantly learn new skills. Most of all, my career has taught me how to listen to a problem and devise a solution.
I have talked to many sitting members of the current City Council to ask them their advice about what makes a good councilperson. Mayor Briggs also was kind enough to sit down with me and discuss the job responsibilities. I am actively working with the current Ward 1 council members; Bob Saettele, and Scott Zimmer, to prepare myself for this responsibility. I am also talking with other local community leaders. Additionally, I have been attending our bimonthly council meetings and am on the Bridgeton Planning and Zoning Committee.
Bridgeton is growing and changing rapidly. The number of new businesses that have opened here over the past few years is staggering. We have also had numerous new neighborhoods built. If I am voted onto the council, I would like to work with city planners to ensure businesses continue to open here. I would also like to make our city a more desirable place for restaurants. Additionally, I want to make sure we continue to grow and maintain our fantastic park system. I am not running for me though; I am running for the community. As I travel house to house to introduce myself to you, I plan on also asking what you would like to see from Bridgeton leadership. I invite you to send me an Email at reachout@wescheforbridgeton.com letting me know what you are looking for.