Does "Truth" = Trash?

Oh the deception of campaign finance. I recently pulled the campaign finance reports for MT Schneider. On his 40-day before report, he lists a $800.00 contribution from a group titled "Citizens for Truth in Government". Hmm..just the name makes my eyes roll.

Who are these citizens? The address was O'Fallon, MO. Do St Charles County citizens have a concern about honesty in our local government?

The MEC's search functions provide the whole story. "Citizens for Truth in Government" is solely funded by Allied Waste's holding company Republic Services.

All I see is a corporation. Where are the" citizens"?

And isn't it a bit ironic, let alone disingenuous, to include "truth in government" in a group name whose sole purpose is for the trash company to hide their contributions to municipal candidates?

Reviewing "Citizens for Truth in Government" 's 40-day before election report, we see Mikey-Mike is not alone. The following is a list of Overland Candidates and the amount sent per this report.

Les Dills 02/07/2010 $400.00

Ken Owensby 02/07/2010 $400.00

Lisa Ridolfi 02/07/2010 $400.00

If the trash company wants to make campaign contributions, why don't they just be direct about it? Why hide it behind dishonesty and trickery? Then again, seeing that it is Schneider, Dills, Owensby and Ridolfi involved--the deception is not surprising.

Ad Check: Ridolfi is for the old guard but not

I'm completely confused by the Ridolfi campaign. Her Localite ad denounces the current administration for not taking appropriate actions. But, Schneider's adjacent ad says he received an endorsement letter from her.

Which is it Lisa? The mayor is causing the city to fall behind? Or, he should be re-elected? You can't have it both ways.

Voter Guide now on the Post-Dispatch website

The Voter Guide is now on the Post-Dispatch's website.

It provides a brief biographical sketch and the candidate's top three priorities. (Though some people seemed to list at least 5 things for their top three priorities.)

http://elections.post-dispatch.com/voter/stlouiscounty.asp

Overland is about midway down on the page.

Here's a Story....

It's not about man named Brady.

But a man named Schneider. And a man named Dills. And a former Public Works Director.

The PW director was what we might call "highly qualified". He had a PhD in Engineering. He had great ideas. He wanted Overland to be a success.

Id been wondering what happened to the Public Works Director as I hadnt seen him around in a while. Here's the scoop I got from a friend of Les Dills.

Les had a buddy that wanted to buy the old IGA (on Lackland near Simms).

Les asked the PW Director to inspect the building and detail everything that was wrong with the purpose that the buddy could go to the seller and demand a discount. Or, basically, the PW department was Les and his buddy's personal inspection and bullying service.

Les and the PW Director get into a discussion about this situation one day. The discussion comes to a stand still. They were not going to come to an agreement. So, realizing the standstill and in an effort to get on with his work, the PW Director asked Les to leave his office.

Les was not going to stand for not getting an immdiate real estate deal for his buddy. He went crying to Schneider.

Now, Schneider had his own issues with the PW Director. See, the PW Director wasn't much for incompetence in his department. And incompetence he had in the friend of Schneider, Sherry Middlecamp.

Now to keep you up with this, Sherry is the friend of Mike's he had hired by the Police Department. The Police Deparment was too serious of an area to put up with her ineptitude. So, instead of firing Sherry they fire someone in Public Works and give her that job. The Public Works Director wanted a professional department. So, in a professional manner he tried to deal with Sherry. To the point he attempted to write her up several times. Each time, Schneider stopped the process. His friend needed a job, so much so that he was willing to risk Overland's future on making sure she had one.

All of this comes together and Schneider attempts to fire the Public Works Director. Those of you paying attention in the Pruzner era, remember that isn't really a power of the Mayor. He must consent with the City Council.

Eventually, Schneider strong arms his way with the council and has the highly qualified Public Works Director fired.

So, where does that leave Overland?

Many businesses who were considering coming to Overland immediately withdrew their plans. (This includes Dunking Donuts--a store that caused quite a stir when they opened in Kirkwood today. That could've been us. We could've been a contender.)

Any resident, business owner, and potentional resident/business owner now has to deal with the ineffective and incompetent Sherry Middlecamp to deal with Public Works. Another reason Overland is going nowhere fast.

Overland once again has an anti-new-business reputation with real estate agents, developers, and future business owners.

Nice work Schneider and Dills!

MT mayor with an MT ad

Now that the new Localite is out and election season seems to be in full swing, it is time to start dissecting those advertisments.

First up, the empty mayor: MT Schneider.

His March localite ad seems to be as empty as his time in office. The ad, like the candidate, lacks substance or any campaign issues. It just shows he and his wife and talking about what a great time they are having as Mayor and First Lady of Overland.

I guess if MT Schneider hasn't done anything AND isn't planning on doing anything, his ad should reflect that (and it does).

Candidates for April 6 Election

2010 Municipal Election.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

Mayor
Margaret (Peggy) Jackson
Mike Schneider

City Council
Ward 1
Rich Knode
Jerry May

Ward 2
Jeffrey (Jeff) O’Connell
Lisa Ridolfi

Ward 3
Donna Lewis
Ken Owensby

Ward 4
Lester Dills
Craig A. Handley

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.

Competing with the MLS

From yesterday's Post, the city desires to attract new businesses and residents by compiling a database of all available property. Was this the "Peeping Tom" Fitzgerald project? We've already discussed the problems with that. Regardless, don't we think realtors have access to the MLS database and can find Overland properties that ARE truly available?

That aside, I am happy to hear that they realize they have been unduly burdensome on new businesses and folks in the past (see the "Eedie Cuminale story"). Now, THAT is progress!

Overland House Tour

At last night's meeting, Schneider was lamenting the poor attendance of citizens at community events. It could be that they are not very well publicized. For example, I knew nothing of this house tour until last night.

That aside, here is an article from the Journal covering the event that will be held this Sunday.

You Know What's Beautiful--Sunshine

Regarding the Beautification Committee. Why is this committee meeting and not following the Sunshine Law?

Supposdly they had a meeting last week. No notice posted.
Supposdly they are meeting this week. No notice posted. No listing on calendar given out at meeting last nite.
Supposdly they are meeting during the day. I guess they dont have jobs.

Why use 'supposdly'? Since they are not following open meeting or sunshine law, it is hard to verify anything.

Officials Say: "I Can't Read"

ARTICLE VIII. OFFICE OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR
SECTION 115.470: OFFICE CREATED
The office of City Administrator for the City of Overland is hereby created. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.480: APPOINTMENT AND TERM
The City Administrator shall be appointed by a majority vote of the City Council with the approval of the Mayor. The City Administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority pursuant to Section 77.044, RSMo. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.490: EMPLOYMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS
A. The office of the City Administrator shall be a full-time salaried position and the City Administrator shall devote full time to the duties of the office. The City Administrator shall not hold outside employment for remuneration except with the approval and consent of the Mayor and City Council.
B. The City Administrator shall be at least twenty-one (21) years and shall be chosen solely on the basis of education, experience, executive and administrative qualifications. The City Administrator shall hold, as a minimum, a bachelor's degree in public administration or a related field from an accredited university and shall have a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience. The Governing Body may also require that the City Administrator meet other personnel qualifications. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.500: OATH OF OFFICE
Before entering upon the duties of the office, the City Administrator shall take and subscribe to an oath of the office before the City Clerk or some other person authorized to administer oaths, that he/she will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Missouri, the provisions of all laws of the State of Missouri and the ordinances of the City of Overland and that he/she will faithfully demean himself/herself while in office. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.510: BOND
The City Administrator, before entering upon the duties of the office, shall file with the City of Overland a bond in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00), conditioned upon the faithful and honest performance of his/her duties and the rendering of full and proper accounts to the City for funds and property that shall come into the possession or control of the City Administrator. The cost of such bond shall be paid by the City; however, should the City Administrator be covered by a blanket bond to the same extent, an individual bond shall not be required. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.520: DUTIES AND AUTHORITY
The City Administrator shall be responsible for the administration and management of the governmental business, officers and employees and activities of the City subject to the direction and supervision of the Mayor and the City Council. To that end, the City Administrator shall have the duties and authority provided in this Section, as follows:
1. Administrative.
a. Shall appoint all department heads with the approval of the majority of the City Council. The City Administrator shall make all other appointments without the approval of the City Council, except as otherwise prohibited by law or City ordinance. When deemed necessary for the good of the City, the City Administrator may suspend or remove all City employees except department heads without the approval of the City Council. The City Administrator can recommend suspension or removal of department heads to the Council for approval. The City Administrator may authorize any department head who is subject to his/her direction and supervision to exercise those powers with respect to subordinates in that officer's department, office or agency.
b. Shall assist in developing the necessary ordinances and policies for the City to operate effectively and in the public interest and carry out and enforce all lawful policies established by the Mayor and the City Council.
c. Be accountable to the Mayor and the City Council for any actions taken and at all times be subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Mayor subject to review by the City Council.
d. Develop a plan of organization to establish areas of responsibility, lines of authority and formal channels of communication subject to approval by the Mayor and the City Council.
e. Prepare and submit to the Mayor and City Council an annual statement of objectives that will specify targets and timetables for accomplishments consistent with broad goals set forth by the Mayor and City Council.
f. Establish such administrative rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law or established City policy, to provide for delivering effective and efficient services to the City and its residents.
g. Shall investigate and respond to citizen complaints and inquiries.
h. Provide for a sound, stable and realistically economical insurance and bonding program for all aspects of City liability and risk exposure and implement measures to minimize the City's risk exposure.
2. Communications.
a. Provide for regular reports to the Mayor and City Council on all aspects of the City's activities.
b. Facilitate communications and opportunities for involvement between the City and its residents.
c. Inform the public of the purposes, methods and activities of the City government through all available communication vehicles, including news media.
3. Committee liaison.
a. Shall attend all meetings of the City Council, unless excused by the Mayor and all committee meetings of the Council unless excused by the Mayor or Committee Chair.
b. Shall prepare the Council meeting agendas in cooperation with the City Clerk after consultation with the Mayor and City Council members. A proposed agenda for each meeting should be submitted to the Mayor and City Council at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the meeting.
c. Shall comply with all requirements of his/her office and the City under the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 610, RSMo.
d. Shall have the authority to appear before and address the City Council at any meeting but may not vote. The City Administrator will receive notice of all special meetings.
e. Serve as liaison between the Mayor and the City Council and the various committees, boards and commissions of the City and their members.
4. City operations and activities.
a. Shall direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the City except as otherwise provided by City ordinance.
b. Prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary for the conduct of the City's departments, agencies and offices and revoke, suspend or amend any rule or regulation of any City department, agency or office when such action is determined to be in the best interest of the City.
c. Provide for the maintenance of the physical property and equipment of the City and insure compliance with applicable Federal, State and local legal requirements.
d. Supervise in the manner prescribed by ordinance the purchase of all materials, supplies and equipment for which funds are provided in the budget or appropriated by the City Council, including supervising the preparation of all bid specifications for services and equipment.
e. May delegate any of the responsibilities of the office to an approved subordinate but the City Administrator shall be accountable for proper performance and completion of all assignments.
5. Personnel.
a. Recommend the establishment and maintenance of personnel programs employing sound personnel policies and practices that are internally consistent and externally competitive.
b. Design, prepare and submit for review and adoption by the City Council, personnel procedures, position classifications and compensation schedules for employees covered in the City's personnel program including the preparation of the necessary personnel policy manuals and implement and administer the policy.
c. Promote the organization and continuing development and training of City staff.
d. Define the authority, responsibility and duties as they pertain to each position in the City government and submit it to the City Council for approval.
6. Budgetary. The City Administrator shall be the budget officer of the City of Overland and shall assemble estimates of the financial needs and resources of the City for each ensuing year and plan for the fiscal solvency and security of the City, including the submission of an annual budget to the Mayor and City Council for final approval, that provides for a program of sound fiscal management and includes supporting schedules and analysis.
7. Financial.
a. Supervise and direct the collection and deposit of all taxes and revenues such as, but not limited to, sales, personal property, real estate, gasoline, cigarette and intangible taxes, road and bridge fund revenues, license and permit fees, Federal grants and court costs and fines.
b. Advise the Mayor and City Council on financial condition and future needs of the City, including the anticipated financial impact of proposed ordinances, and make such recommendations as deemed appropriate.
c. Supervise the preparation of a monthly status report covering all departmental operations and City financial conditions.
d. Supervise and coordinate efforts on behalf of the City to obtain financial grants from any sources.
8. Investigations and reporting. Shall have the authority to investigate, examine or inquire into the affairs or operation of any department of the City under his/her jurisdiction and shall report on any condition or fact concerning the City government requested by the Mayor or City Council.
9. Responsibility for City property. Shall have responsibility for all real and personal property owned or maintained by the City. The City Administrator shall have responsibility for all inventories of such property and the upkeep of all such property. Personal property owned by the City may be sold by the City Administrator only with the approval of the Mayor and the City Council. Real property may be sold only when such sale is authorized by ordinance.
10. Record keeping. Shall keep full and accurate records of all actions taken by him/her in the course of his/her duties and shall safely and properly keep all records and papers belonging to the City and entrusted in the City Administrator's care; all such records shall be and remain the property of the City and open to inspections by the Mayor and City Council at all times not inconsistent with the Statutes of the State and the ordinances of the City.
11. Other duties. Perform related duties as required by the Mayor and the City Council not inconsistent with the Statutes of the State and the ordinances of the City. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.530: LIMITATION ON DUTIES AND AUTHORITY
At no time shall the duties or authority of the City Administrator supersede the actions of the Mayor and the City Council. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.540: RETENTION OF POWERS BY MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
The Mayor and the City Council shall retain all powers given to them by State Statues and all laws governing the City pursuant to Section 77.048, RSMo. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.550: INTERFERENCE BY COUNCILMAN PROHIBITED
Neither the City Council nor any of its members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to office or his/her removal from office by the City Administrator or by any of his or her subordinates; or in any way interfere with the appointment or removal of officers or employees of any administrative service of the City. Except for the purpose of inquiry, unless specifically otherwise provided in this Article, the City Council and its members shall deal with the administrative officers and employees solely through the City Administrator and neither the City Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to the subordinates of the City Administrator, either publicly or privately. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.560: COMPENSATION AND EVALUATION
A. The City Administrator shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by resolution. The City Administrator shall be entitled to all benefits which are provided to other officers and employees of the City and to such other benefits as may be provided by ordinance.
B. At least once a year after the appointment of the City Administrator, the Mayor and the City Council shall evaluate the performance of the City Administrator. This evaluation shall be made part of the personnel file of the City Administrator. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.570: REMOVAL
The City Administrator may be removed or suspended at will on recommendation of the Mayor with the consent of the majority of the members elected to the City Council or by the two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members elected to the City Council independently of the Mayor's approval or recommendation. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.580: ACTING CITY ADMINISTRATOR
A. The City Administrator shall designate in writing, filed with the Mayor and the City Council, a department head to perform the duties of the City Administrator as necessary in the event of his/her temporary absence from the City. The City Officer so selected shall be designated "Acting City Administrator". The Acting City Administrator shall have and perform all of the powers, rights and duties of the City Administrator during such absence but the individual so designated shall receive no additional compensation thereof.
B. In case of the office of City Administrator becomes vacant or if the City Administrator is incapacitated and unable to designate an Acting City Administrator, the Mayor shall appoint, with the approval of the majority of the City Council, a qualified administrative officer to serve as Acting City Administrator until a City Administrator is appointed or the City Administrator is able to resume his/her duties. In no event, shall the Mayor appoint a member of the City Council as Acting City Administrator. At any time, the Mayor with approval of the City Council may revoke such designation and appoint another officer of the City to serve until a City Administrator is appointed or the City Administrator is able to resume his/her duties. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.590: MUNICIPAL POLITICAL ACTIVITY PROHIBITED
The City Administrator shall not use official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with any election. While retaining the right to vote as he/she pleases, the City Administrator shall take no active part in any political campaign or lend support to or oppose the candidacy of any person seeking elective office in the City of Overland. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)
SECTION 115.600: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
The City can enter into an employment agreement with the City Administrator establishing terms and conditions with the approval of the majority of the City Council. (Ord. No. 2005-40 §1, 8-9-05)

Officials Say: Overland is Ridiculous

Have you found your Suburban Journal yet in the foot of snow? If not, hunt it down and read this article by our favorite, Buck Collier.

The only issue to be resolved regarding the position appears to be to what degree of authority the administrator will exercise. This won't be clear for some time, officials say.

What kind of organization (city or otherwise) hires someone for a position that pays at least $70,000 without having a clue of what that person's responsibilities and/or authority will entail?

Why do I have a feeling that what was told to Mr McConachie about his duties and what Schnieder and the COGGsters will actually give him are miles apart?

Who are these nameless "officials" and why are they nameless?

"News" to me

I attend every city council meeting. However, Buck Collier--who doesn't even attend the meetings--has a story about downtown development in Overland in The Journal. I don't seem to recall this being mentioned at any city council meeting, workshop, etc.

The article states that "In Overland, there's been much talk..." and of groups that "wants to help revitalize" the downtown area. As usual, we have lots of talk but no plan of action and no initiative.

The article outlines a downtown plaza. I seem to recall Conlon talking about such a thing in both mayoral races, including a gazebo in the vacant lot near Midland/Woodson. I think Schneider pooh-pooh'd such an idea, possibly asking if it would be paid for by "grant fairies".

Could Conlon's dream finally be coming to fruition? If so, will Schneider give credit where credit is due? My bet is that even if the first one question's answer if ever a yes, we would never have that for the second one.

Quite Contrary

When I was a kid, the neighborhood used to chant "Larry, Larry, Quite Contrary". Keeping my contrarian ways, and realizing COGG gives us enough to debunk as ORT, I am announcing the new COGG Contrarian.

My purpose will be to debunk all COGG propaganda. I feel we will have a lot to do with the upcoming election.

Cozad, Lies, and Videotape

When the city spends money--whether it is for the gas bill or a tax incentive--they are truly giving away our money. The city council is elected to oversee the expenditures.

No one is saying that they should micromanage every penny. However, when we give away money via TIFs and tax abatements, we expect our city leaders to assure that such giveaways are not one sided. We expect them to follow-up to make sure the recipient is living up to their end of the bargain.

Such is the case with the Cozad development at Page and Walton. We have provided a tax abatement. We have heard nothing about progress. Thankfully, certain council members (Conlon, O'Connell, Cuminale, May) have requested information.

Unfortunately, as the following video shows, Ol' Empty has been as forthcoming or vigilant. We are not even sure if he has or has not been in contact with Cozad.

Introducing the Official OVCC2 Video Site

What could be better than this blog? Associated video content of course! Thus, we introduce the Official OVCC2 Video Site.


We are starting off small, with some of the trash debate from the 1/14 meeting (probably posted tomorrow) and other associated stuff.


But what is better than this video that highlights that THE HONEYMOON IS OVER for Schneider and Owensby. (Sorry about the camera movements--I was having all kinds of battery issues!)