What does this mean for Community Fire?

I know this is "Overland" in actual substance, but we are covered by the Community FPD. There policy is (was?) to take people when transported by ambulance to DePaul hospital. I came across the following and wonder what meaning it has for that policy. I'm thinking a great many of our residents, especially those who may need ambulance service, are older and on Medicare.

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the agreement between the Secretary of Health and Human Services and SSM DePaul Health Center 12303 DePaul Drive Bridgeton Missouri 63044 as a provider of hospital services in the Health Insurance for the Aged and Disabled Program (Medicare) is to be terminated at the close of business on Friday November 27 2009. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has determined that SSM DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton Missouri is not in substantial compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation. The Medicare Program will not make payment for hospital services furnished to patients who are admitted after Friday November 27 2009. For patients admitted November 27 2009 or earlier payment may continue for up to 30 days of hospital services furnished after November 27 2009. Jennifer King Branch Manager Division of Survey Certification & Enforcement

Time Capsule Found

According to the Suburban Journal, the time capsule was found. About 8 inches below the surface of the ground.

Next question: What is going to happen with all the artifacts that are/were in the time capsule? Will they be displayed at City Hall? Wild Acres? Donated to the Overland Historical Society?

End of an Era: Overland Medical Center to Closed

This may be a scoop for OVCC, since I have yet to see this in the Suburban Journals or the Post-Dispatch. Or, discussed in a City Council meeting, either.

Overland Medical Center, the multi-specialty medical facility in the heart of Overland, will be closing its door on August 1. A doctor's office in every specialty--plus a Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy (which will probably stay unless something non-medical completely takes over the building)--it filled the medical needs of the community from birth to grave.

It's a loss for Overland, not so much in tax revenue, but in needed services for the residents. Tis a sad day.

Let's Do the Time (Capsule) Warp Again!

Found this story on the lost time capsule completely funny.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/9390B8A96D7B0C54862575DA007FB6B2?OpenDocument

Go to the Post's site and read the story. Comment there or here (or both). Below is the first few paragraphs of the story.

Buried history — Overland can't find its 50-year-old time capsule

OVERLAND — Chuck Boone jammed a metal rod several feet into the ground in front of City Hall.

He pulled it out, shook his head and stabbed the grass again.

With only two days left until the celebration, he had to work fast. It was a little after 8 a.m. on Thursday, and sweat was dripping from Boone's forehead. A few feet away, a city employee was taking a smoke break and chatting on her cell phone. "Chuck's out here looking for that time box thing," she said. Then she called out to Boone, "Any luck yet?"
"Not yet," said Boone, 64.

A Sad Day in Overland

The Suburban Journal is reporting that our City Clerk, Linda Downs has passed away. Linda was a font of knowledge of all things Overland. She was always pleasent to deal with at City Hall or before Council Meetings when I would have a question about an agenda item or proprosed ordinance.

Rest in peace, Linda. And, to the Downs family, our sympathies are with you.

Overland Shenanigans Round #1055

Deserving of front page status:

Overland Sailor said...
Just when you think Overland has turned a new corner we see the same dishonest and ILLEGAL political Tactics. Whether it was Phil Paul Directly (which I doubt) or some of his supporters, the bottom like is that election laws have once again been broken with a last minute dishonest mailing that violates election laws by not properly identifying who paid for it.The only way to try to end these dishonorable and IMHO un-American tactics is to not reward them. If you were on the fence when it comes the the Ward 1 Council Election let these dishonorable tactics be a lesson to you. Don't return power to the people who would do such things. Vote to Re-Elect Eddie Cuminale and help keep these criminals away from city hall.

"The Grant Fairy" doesn't stop here

Remember back in the last mayoral race when Schneider claimed we couldn't use a "grant fairy" to improve our city. I guess he meant that.

The following website we e-mailed to me yesterday. It lists all the cities asking for help in the federal stimulus program. No listing of a request for Overland.

http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_state/MO

Pine Lawn asked for funds. Wellston asked for money. Florissant, too. Even rich Clayton has many requests in the hopper. But zero, nada, zilch, bupkus for Overland.

This, in light that the Federal government is moving jobs OUT of Overland. Overland was founded as city for people on their way somewhere else. I guess that image can continue.

AND...What's Old is New Again

I have the list of those running for city council in the April elections. The first name is going to blow your mind!

PHIL PAUL! Yes, the man who Ward One thought was too old to hold the office when voted out 5 years ago is back! Back with his old ideas. With his old cronyism. I feel like I have travelled back in time--or basically, what is old is new again. After that, I'm just surprised that perennial has-been Nancy Allison didn't throw her hat in the ring.

Here's the complete list:

Ward 1
Phil Paul
Edie Cuminale

Ward 2
Mary Beth Conlon

Ward 3
Peggy Keller
Michael Oakes

Ward 4
Tim Jones

What's New is Old Again

Alas, I hate to say it but the city get's a big FAIL for the website. Back in September, we applauded the news that the city had a new website. They might as well have kept the old one if they are never going to update this new one.

We were excited that they had an RSS feed. We plugged that into the right side of the page on OVCC. Alas, you don't get to see any "bells and whistles" because it is all dependent on the city updating the website.

For the Monday, 1/26 CC meeting--there was not an agenda posted. Yet, they have an entire section of the website devoted to meeting agendas and minutes. The page is there, it just lacks substance.

Filing for the April 2009 election recently closed. Yet, there is nothing on the website that states who the candidates are in the upcoming election. I guess we will have to wait for our Localite and its ads to find out what is happening in our town.

What is it going to take for the city to jump into the 21st century and start communicating with the citizens via its online presence?

And how much did we pay for the website redesign? I hope it was zero or next to nothing with as little as it is used.