Beautification Committee Oversteps Bounds with YOUR tax dollars

Overland Beautification Committee scheduled for June 19,2008 at 7:00 P.M.IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALLAGENDA
TOPICS:
1. Presentation Mr. Richard Lauwerens--Verdin Corp.
RE: Clock Tower and Carillon at City Hall


Didn't we vote for these funds to be spent on beautification of rights of ways, etc? I don't believe they can legally spend this money on fixing up City Hall. That would be Prop O/Capital Improvments Funds--and out of the realm of this committee charter.

But then again, Lisa Rodolfi wants this done so I guess the ethical/legal ramifications will be ignored.

Dills: Another Tax Pickle

Seems Les Dills has gotten himself into a tax pickle--or at least a campaign finance related tax pickle. You see, Ol' "I'm not gonna run in 2008" Dills took a campaign finance contribution from Midland Auto and Tire. Not an Overland business, so curious to who was behind this company.

Meet one Timothy Brown. According to the Missouri Business Name database, Midland Auto and Tire is a ficticious name associated with Spanish Lake Auto and Tire. Spanish Lake Auto is a corporation fully owned by Timothy Brown and his wife (both residents of St Peters). In addition to these automotive concerns, Timothy also owns Brown Properties Inc which is located at 1804 Morven right here in Overland.

A cursory review of the tax database shows that Brown Properties has not paid either Real Estate nor Personal Property taxes for the past three years!

Why does Les Dills get support from those who cannot support our local infrastructure?
What is it about these guys and taxes?

I realize people and businesses can fall on hard times. But, those same people don't contribute to political campaigns. Hey Les. Return the money and suggest your friend apply it to their tax bill.

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.

Not Bellicose on Bellecote

At last night's meeting I had a chance to discuss the tax issues surrounding the property at 2910 Bellecote with Les Dills. Dills explained that he has been attempting to get this property OUT of his name for a few years, as it should have never been registered to his trust. Years and attorney fees later it is still showing on the real estate tax database in his name.

However, he did provide documentation from the St Louis County Department of Revenue that verifies this information. He is providing such documentation to the city clerk. I have uploaded a copy of this letter to our Filebox in GoogleGroups. You can read the letter here.

? of the Week: Should Les Dills remain on the ballot?

Lone Ward 4 candidate Les Dills just cant seem to get it right. A quick check on the St Louis County Revenue's real estate database shows that Les is--once again--deliquent in his taxes on his property at 2910 Bellecote Ave.

Will the City Clerk do her due dilligence and find this discrepancy?

Will Les Dills remain on the ballot?