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.

Police: Cop charged in man's death had pushed him down steps

Crap!
This isn't good news.
Thoughts go out to the families involved.

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!

It must be Spring, because the Flip-Flops are here!

Shocked to see that the agenda for last Monday's meeting included a revisit of the Respionsible Contractor ordinance. This ordinance was first passed in 2008. Then, last September was repealed by a 5-3 vote.

Among the 5 voting to repeal were Les Dills and Tim Jones. So, not only shocking to see that the subject is coming up again but shocked that it is Dills and Jones who brought the proposal to the table.

It's On. It's Off. It's On. It's Off. It's enough to keep any contractor away from Overland. It's enough to give the people of Overland whiplash.

Luckily, the issue was tabled. As it should be. It's obviously very controversial and it was never workshopped. But, then again when is ANYTHING being workshopped anymore. These guys are running on cruise control.

Team Player or YesMan?

I spit out my coffe when I read Lisa Ridolfi's current Localite Ad. Her big push seems to be that she is a "team player". But, what exactly does that mean?

One can only assumes that she will just be a rubber stamp for whatever the establishment puts in front of her.

Do we really need another city council member without a mind of their own?

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

Another ship sails past Overland.....

In today's Post is a story on several municipalities seeking stimulus money to pay for energy efficient lighting. Of course, Overland isn't on the list.

It seems like a win-win. The city gets federal dollars to install the lighting. It's energy efficient, which reduces the city's electric bill for the lights.

Laptops, Again?!

I know we have discussed this in the past, but why did the Laptops for Councilmen issue rear its ugly head during Thursday's broadcast of the OVCC meeting?

It's still a bad idea for the city to spend money on something that can be used to come back and bite the city in the butt. (see previous post on why this is a bad idea)

It's an especially bad idea, considering two other Councilmen mentioned revenues shrinking in the moments after this idea.

I'm all for electronic modes of communication, but why should the city be buying these computers for part-time councilmen? We pay them $500 bucks a month. Maybe Jonesy and Company should spend some of that pay and buy them for themselves.

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.