The Giroux Gang--Overland's Comprehensive Plan

For those of you who think cronyism has died with the Schneider election, well you should have been at the meeting last night.

During the "Mayor's Report", MT Schneider claims to have met with the County Economic Development Council. At that time, he is told that Overland created a comprehensive plan back in 2001.

He is told that we do not need to go through the process of another plan (after all NOTHING much has happend since then), only a fine tuning.

MT Schneider then announces that his crony and political supporter (and President of COGG), Mark Giroux will be in charge of such fine tuning. Giroux has also been given the go-ahead to form his own committee.

When asked about input from the city council or mayor, MT replied that he was going to have a hands-off approach and let "Mark do his thing".

I find this a shame, considering that with the Overland Redevelopement board each council member was allowed to choose an appointment. Why can't this be the policy for any new board or committee in the future?

MT Schneider had a chance to show his own sense of compromise and ability to reach out to the entire community. Instead he chose the path of patronage.

During Residents's Comments, Bonny Giovani summed it up best: "Just because you have the right to do something, doesn't make it the right thing to do."

Lacking Backbone

Last night's council meeting was a demonstration of what can happen with a lack of backbone. Les Dills was appointed unanimously. I have spoken with several council members and this is NOT what they wanetd. However, they were worried about their political reputation and thus voted with "the crowd".

I think last night's meeting will stand as a defining moment for the entire city council, but especially for those folks who voted against their conscience and better judgment. These are the people who put their political futures above the city's future. These are the people we will hold accountable for all the lack of progress and continued cronyism that will happen. And, indeed it has begun to happen in that very same meeting (see above story on Giroux Gang).

Even if these folks vote "progressively" in the future, the fact that the helped in changing the balance of the city council to ensure that progress would NOT happen makes them culpable.

To those city council members who are worried about re-election should take heed that these are the very actions that the constiuency remembers. For any COGG votes you may have gained, you lost two to three of the rest of us.

You should be ashamed of yourselves!!

Council Agendas and Web Links

As of this morning, there is not a link for the agenda to Monday's meeting on the city hall website. In fact, it doesn't even reference a meeting for Monday but states that the next meeting is September 10.

• Wasn't posting meeting notices and agendas online part of the Sunshine Law suit brought against the Purzner regime?
• Does MT Schneider think that the recall of Purzner automatically vacated that decision?

I have another issue with the website. I noticed for the first time today that there is a link to the American Legion's website. Why? Didn't we go through this before with Ann's link to her personal website? What are the policies to be included on the web page? A few questions:

• Why not link to other community organizations?
• What about the Overland Lions?
• Churches (not just All Souls)?
• The Rotary?
• The Optomists?
• The Pessimists?
• What about linking to this blog?
• Overland Chat?
• Sailor's blog/site?
• My Contrarian blog?
• Knode's site?
• Other council member sites?

Obviously all of these links on the front page would make the page too busy and not serve the public. A separate page for "community web links" would be of better service. However, when we start to cherry pick just the organizations that MT Schneider belongs or favors, we still have the inherent unfairness that was brought up when Queen Ann posted links to her website.



It all just begs the question: Did MT Schneider not learn ANYTHING during the short-lived Purzner administration?

Caught on Tape: Frank Munsch for CA?

Well, the rumor floated around last week. So, I taped the City Council meeting last night to hear for myself.

Indeed, when the topic of the CA position was brought up, Owensby leaned over to Tim Jones and said the following:

"We don't need no City Administrator. We need Frank Munsch who knows the value of a dollar. I will make the motion to bring him in."

Comments?

ORT Contrarian edited: Listen here for audio.

Open Letter to the City Council regarding Ward 4 seat

I want to thank the council for including the topic of a Ward 4 replacement in a workshop session.

A year ago, our city was in a quagmire of controversy with a mayor who wanted to appoint her friends and associates to not only the city council, but important positions such as Chief of Police and City Attorney. At that time, the citizenry stood up and said NO to such cronyism.

Our city has had not only a year of controversy, but decades of stagnancy that have lead to the disappearance of businesses, jobs, and city-paid services. When people have examined why that was allowed to happen many come back with answers of apathy, antagonism and cronyism that have infested our city government.

It is these three things that all candidates in the last election said they would eradicate in an effort to put the city back on the path to healing. However, we cannot heal if we continue to allow these things to fester within our city. My main concern with the process of filling the Ward 4 vacancy is cronyism.

At the last city council meeting, the mayor stated he was nominating his choice because this person “stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him through two campaigns.” The American Heritage Dictionary defines patronage as “the distribution of jobs and favors on a political basis, as to those who have supported one's party or political campaign.” How are we, the citizens of Ward 4, to see this as anything other than just another example of cronyism that will continue to hurt our city.

I am disappointed that this could not have started out as an open process. Since before he filed to run for mayor, Mr. Schneider has stated that Mr. Dills would be his choice—where is the openness in that? And, unfortunately, you can’t unring that bell. An appointment of Les Dills will leave some with questions of cronyism and a continuance of the patronage positions to fill city openings.

It is unfortunate that Overland couldn’t research on how other cities have handled this issue. In Saturday’s paper there was an article on a similar situation in St. Peters (where the special election of a mayor opened a city council seat). In the article, the Post-Dispatch informs us that each candidate was able to “earn an interview by gathering 150 petition signatures” from voters in their ward. What a novel idea to assure that the person has the backing of some of the constituency before proceeding!

However, we have what we have and we have the process that the city council has brought forth. And that process is important because the vetting process is important.

Normally, one obtains a council seat by running for election. During that process the voters have the opportunity to ask the candidates about current issues, pet projects or long-time problems. We are unable to do that during this process. You, our remaining elected officials, must do this on our behalf.

Because you are doing the vetting process, I would like to state what is important to me—a resident of ward four—in a council member. There are the obvious requirements. Age, residency and tax issues that are part of state statute to run for election to the city council should also be applied when appointing the same position. The other obvious factors are attendance and participation at council meetings and workshops, as well as responsiveness to all of the ward 4 residents. (Which doesn’t mean he or she satisfies all our wishes, but at least listens.)

However, there are attributes that I, as a resident of Ward 4 need to see in the appointment to this position.

First and foremost, independence. While the open seat will be nominated by the mayor, I do not want this person beholden to the mayor or any other person or entity. I want to know that when this person votes it is truly their vote.

Second, I want someone with fresh ideas as well as creative ways to implement existing policies. Let us not be guided by “that’s the way we’ve always done it” type of thinking.

Third, I want someone who is truly for progress. The person who is willing to examine new ideas, someone willing to look at what other cities have done with success and incorporate that into Overland. We need someone who is looking forward and who only looks back to examine past mistakes.

Part of that progressive mentality is my fourth wishlist attribute. And that is someone who supports the city in obtaining professional management. Of course, by this I mean that the Ward 4 seat should be filled by someone who has the desire to fill the City Administrator position with a quality and qualified individual and does not desire to weaken the position.

From personal experience, I know it is a lot easier to campaign for someone else than to go out there and stick our own necks out on the line. It is nice to get to skip the door knocking, the forums and debates. It is nice to not have to answer the questions that the electorate would pose to any and every candidate and have someone hand them a position on the council. Again, that is why the council's input into the opening is so important. I thank the council for doing this on behalf of the entirety of ward four.

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How Others Do It

Came across an interesting article in the St Charles Post regarding the City of St. Peters. They provide information on how the city council is going about filling the seat of Len Pagano, who was recently elected mayor (to replace Shawn Brown).

In the article, they state that each person interested in filling the position had to go out and get XXX amount of signatures to be considered.

How enlightened!
Not only appointed, but has to have some backing to even be considered.

Ward 4 Open Seat

This flyer was left at the houses of several Ward 4 residents. I agree with all but the last sentence. It is imperative that citizens of Ward 4 attend Monday's meeting to have their say in who will represent us for the next 8 months.

Why this is important?

Because the vetting process is important.

Normally, one obtains a council seat by running for election. During that process the voters have the opportunity to ask the candidates about current issues, pet projects or long-time problems. We are unable to do that via the current appointment system.

And that is why this meeting is so important. Our remaining elected officials must do this on our behalf. Because the council is doing this vetting process on our behalf, it is important to attend and state your own expectations of the Ward 4 open seat.

Monday Workshop Meeting

This is posted on the city's website. Quite a big list of items to cover on Monday.

There will be a COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING on September 17th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Possible topics for discussion:

• Consider Appointment of Les Dill.
• Names for Directors of Redevelopment Corporation.
• Flyer on Rat Issue.
• Bids for Repair of Roof on Mansion.
• Fall Clean Up.
• Trash-for people not able to pay.
• Rolling Marquis.
• Lights at Brooks Park.
• Park Grant for Norman Myers and Brooks Park.

Note: this is a complete cut and paste. I think someone needs to determine once in for all that it is DILLS before his name plate is printed incorrectly. :)

May Hits it on the Head!

Just wanted to give some feedback from Monday's meeting. Of course, I will expect lots of comments once you have seen it for yourself on Channel 18, come Thursday.

I couldn't help myself, but poking a bit of fun at the Mayor. So, I posted a story on the Picayune about Salesman Schneider trying to Cold Call Costco.

Okay, on to the serious stuff.

During appointments the mayor appointed Jeff O'Connell (Ward 2) to the remainder for the term in Planning and Zoning. He did NOT mention that some members on P&Z terms have expired.

He also tried to appoint Les Dills to the open seat in Ward 4. This generated debate on the process (or lack thereof) in coming up with this appointment. It was decided to table this and discuss at a workshop meeting. This was much to the chagrin of Tim Jones, who pleaded with the council that he needed help in serving Ward four (I thought maybe he would start to cry).

The best part of that debate was Jerry May (Ward 1). He correctly stated that during the Purzner administration the council voted down her appointments because of the lack of transparency in the process of her picks. And, among those voting it down were himself and the Mayor. Wouldn't it be a bit hypocritical if they were to ignore that same circumstance on this occasion?

Wow! I could not have said it better! May really came to the point that everyone was supposedly fighting for last year--Open Government.

Okay, the rest of the meeting. A few new businesses were approved and bids for things such as concrete and asphalt were opened (snooze). The only bills passed dealt with buying salt from the City of Chesterfield and having it hauled to Overland.

Overall uneventful. Lots of stuff deferred to the workshop meeting this Monday (9/17). That might last 5 hours with all they have planned.

Pension Meetings

The following is posted on the city's website.

There will be a JOINT PENSION BOARD MEETING (Police and Non-Uniform) held on September 11th, at 2:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Merrill Lynch will be present and also a representative from Segal Actuarial Co. will give a presentation..

2:30 on a Tuesday?

Will MT Schneider be the most UnEthical Mayor in the History of Overland?

Well, he is certainly off to a good start judging by his Campaign Finance Reports. Despite advisory statements from the Missouri Ethics Commission, he still continues to take illegal, over-the-limit contributions.

Here is a copy of Schneider's 30-day post-election report, so that you can follow along. Contributions are on pages 5 and 6.

1. Ann Scott contributed a whopping $2,000.00!!! That is more than 6 times the legal limit of $325 per election! Who is Ann Scott and what does this Clayton resident hope to gain from Overland?

2. Bob Ortmann gave another$200.00. This brings his total contribution for this election to $500.00. This is $175.00 above the legal limits.

3. Cliffords Big Signs contributed $400.00. It's not as if that big sign rolling though Overland wasn't the laugh of the city (jaundiced candidate and all) but now we see it was also ILLEGAL!!

What are your thoughts?

Meeting Reminder: Monday, 9/10

There is a City Council meeting this Monday, September 10, in the Community Center gym.

The agenda can be found online here. My thoughts on the agenda:

What is the subject of the MSD presentation?

Boring bid openings. Blah!

Buying more salt from Chesterfield.

The surprise is nothing is listed as "appointments". Is Les Dill officially out of the picture? Or, is MT Schneider giving him a bit more time to take care of his "baggage".

Comparing Apples and Oranges (or Missouri and Illinois Tax Rates)

On the surface, Illinois tax Real Estate tax rates may seem in line with those in Missouri. However, as always, the devil is in the details.

Doing some research I found the following rates:

Highland, IL 8.0354 (Source: Madison County Il Treas/)

Troy, MO 5.870 (source: Lincoln County Assessor)

Overland, MO 8.6615 (source: St Louis County Dept of Revenue)

I included Troy Mo because it was really unfair to compare an inner suburb and all of its services with Illinois cities, which can be more like Lincoln County, Missouri governments).


Now, the "devil" part. Missouri state law states that residential property is only taxed at 19% of its real value. Or, for a $100,000 house it is only taxed at an assessed value of $19,0000.

In Illinois, state law states this amount is 33.33%. Or, a $100,000 house is taxed at an assessed value of $33,333.33.

Thus, when you extrapolate out to the "similar tax rate" the Highland Illinois tax is $1000.00 more for that same $100,000.00 house.

Trends in Lies

Hello everyone. We are here to point out the latest trends in Overland lies, half-truths and misstatements. This week's trend goes to those who want to blame MBC (and MBC alone) for their personal property tax rates.

Enough with blaming MBC for Overland's personal property tax rates! The council vote went down 5-2, so she was just one of five in that arena. In reality, we the voters of Overland have voted what the maximum levy rate will be. (Something about "when you point a finger, three more are pointing back at you" seems fitting here.) The council cannot work outside those parameters that the voters have put in place.

If you are going to blame MBC for the personal property tax rates then you must also credit her for lowering of the levy for real property. You really can't have it both ways.It's almost reminiscent of ORTian logic. Then again, some of these folks have bitten from the poison apple of Schneider promises. Speaking of which, why are they not blaming Schneider for this? After all, it was one of the first things passed during his administration?

What's in a Name?

Am I the only one who sees the irony in someone who uses the handle "uareidiots" that then goes to spout off the biggest batch of BS in recent OVCC history? Excerpts from his comments: uareidiots said... Conlon certainly showed her true colors. Conlon fought for that tax increase which we all know is only going to benefit the school district and probably not even them much. ...Goodbyecc I agree with you 100 percent, but I am not a good public speaker, but I will certainly applaud you.

1) Many others have already pointed out that Overland tax rates has little-to-nothing to do with the either the Ritenour or University City School Districts.

2) You quote Goodbyecc who we have also proven he/she is full of crap with their $380 increase claim. (The difference for mine is $2.32, so pardon me if I don't buy that $380 figure.)

3) You are not only not a good public speaker but a BS writer. Don't come here with lies, half-truths and mis-statements. You may think we are idiots, but that is just your reflection in the mirror.