Ward 4 Alderman Tom Fagan asked an extremely relevant question at the last Crestwood Board of Aldermen meeting: “I’d like to know who the Crestwood Smart Growth Alliance is. Is this an organization that’s been registered with the state of Missouri?”

Mr. Fagan’s question came after another incoherent rambling by Kelley Isherwood of Oakville, chairman of the Crestwood Smart Growth Alliance.

Despite Mr. Isherwood’s lengthy nonsensical comments — something about how the process the city used to redevelop the northwest corner of Watson and Sappington roads was “illegal” — he sure didn’t have anything to say in response to Mr. Fagan’s legitimate question. In fact, Mr. Isherwood was quite rude as he turned his back on Mr. Fagan and other city officials and walked out of the Aldermanic Chamber, refusing to respond.

We’re perplexed by Mr. Isherwood’s refusal to respond to questions about his organization, especially given the fact that he claims to represent “hundreds” of CSGA members.

We just don’t buy it as we continue to see the same handful of people working on behalf of the group — Mr. Isherwood, members of the Boegeman family, one or two misguided city residents and the alliance’s attorney, Mary Schultz, who formerly represented this newspaper.

This newspaper on several occasions has asked Mr. Isherwood to provide a membership list for the organization and he has declined. As we’ve said before, given his refusal to reveal the membership of the CSGA, perhaps he’s just a puppet for someone else’s political agenda or vendetta.

Perhaps what Mr. Isherwood considers his greatest achievement is initiating a state audit of Crestwood. As we’ve said before, a state audit only could benefit the current administration. But Crestwood residents — not Mr. Isherwood — will foot the bill, an estimated $16,000 to $24,000.

We couldn’t help but be amused during his comments to the Board of Aldermen Oct. 28 when he announced the petition drive for the state audit.

“You have questioned the existence of our organization and choose to ignore its political significance,” Mr. Isherwood said. “I can assure you that I represent a considerable force in your community consisting of Crestwood residents and business owners.”

“Considerable force” just isn’t an accurate description of Mr. Isherwood and his so-called alliance. Perhaps “considerable farce” would be a much more accurate characterization.