What they have said

We cannot get a straight answer from the Mayor and her supporting Council Members when it comes to what their proposed city paid trash collection service will include. The amount in the budget proposal is significantly less then the city was paying before the cost increase that resulted in the need to have the residents start directly paying for the service (as opposed to indirectly paying for it though their taxes). However, according to the Mayor their will be no reductions in service. The Mayor told us the city has not discussed this issue with any Trash companies or recieved any Bids from them either. This causes most to wonder where this number comes from. There has been alot of speculation on the issue. We do not have the answers but the following information might help.

A source suggested we take a look at the minutes from Council Meetings around those times. The City Council Meeting on November 8th 2004 is rather illuminating. What is the Mayor's suggestion? Eliminate city funded yard waste and recycling pick up, What is Councilman Owensby's suggestion? Eliminate the Overland Police Department and have the County take over. See it for yourself:

From the Minutes of the Nov. 8th 2006 Overland City Council Meeting

OLD BUSINESS

Councilman Owensby said he has received complaints on paying for trash pick up. He would like to see this on the April ballot so residents could vote on it.

Councilman Purzner asked if there could be a choice to pay for recycling and yard waste, some residents do not use these.

Councilman Owensby suggested eliminating the Police Department and use St. Louis County in order to save money.(source)

Note: There was no issue raised by either Councilman Owensby or then Councilperson Purzner on these items when the Minutes of this meeting were approved at the Nov. 22nd 2006 Overland City Council Meeting.

Then there is the Minutes of the November 22nd 2006 Overland City Council Meeting:

OLD BUSINESS

Councilman Owensby suggested hiring St. Louis County to provide police services and eliminate our Police Department. He said County would also supply any equipment needed. (source)

Note: The December 13th 2004 meeting minutes are missing from the Cities Website, I will review them sometime today.

It seems that the Mayor did not think we need recycling and Yard waste pickup, or that that citizens could pay for that themselves back when she was a councilperson. Is this why the amount for trash collection in the proposed budget is significantly lower then what the city paid prior to deciding to pass this cost directly to the residents?

Employees of Midwest Waste have suggested to us that residents would have to pay 15.00 - 20.00 a month to have yard waste pickup if it is not part of the city services should the city start paying for trash collection again. It reminds me of that great lady in the Wendy's commercials, though in this case the question would be "Wheeeeeres the Savings!?!?"

Discussions with sources close to the St. Louis County Police Department suggest that should the county take over Policing for the City of Overland, they would likely assign 5-6 officers to the area (based on how the county handle similar sized areas). 5-6 officers vs. the 40+ Officers we have now. Great idea Councilman Owensby, we trade a small trash bill for a big crime increase. Most residents would prefer not to trade trash for trouble sir. Though I imagine a higher crime rate would be great for gun sales in the area.

Councilman Owensby was kind enough to include his as well as Mayor Purzner's phone numbers in the above linked "memo". Call them today and tell them how you feel about Our great Police Department and the Mayor's illegal attempts to pay Mr. Rudman's bill.