Are you Ready for April 3rd?
There is no such thing as planning too early when it comes to an event as important as an election. It's a shame that Municipal elections typically have a much lower turnout than State or Federal elections (though turnout on April 3rd is expected to be high due to the Mayoral Recall measure). For those who think that Municipal government doesn't mean much compared to other higher levels of government consider this:
How can the Federal government impact your family? They can increase your taxes. What about the State Government? They can hike your taxes too. And the County Government? They can raise your property taxes.
Though all of these problems can have a negative impact on the bottom line of most families, they really don't compare to Municipal government. There are of course a number of other issues that can happen at the above levels of government. However, rarely do they do something with more impact than the above (though the Patriot act, medicare cuts, and MSD shenanigans come to mind).
The City government can decide to allow a new development project requiring the land your home is on. They can condemn your house, rezone your lot so you can't live there anymore and even refuse to give you an occupancy permit, preventing you from living in your legally owned property in the first place. Want to add a roof to your front porch? Want your street repaired? hear a prowler outside? You address all of these concerns and much more through City Hall.
Though many of the items listed as Municipal issues can happen on the other government levels as well, they rarely do. However, the above abuses are regular occurrences in cities throughout the country. Considering the damage Municipal government is capable of, we really need to take it seriously.
The next Municipal election will be on April 3rd, 2007. Polls will be open from 6:00AM to 7:00PM. Though you might not have voted in a long time (if at all) your vote does count. The only way the majority of the city is represented is if the majority gets out and votes. Make the decision to vote on April 3rd today.
There are a host of Internet resources out there for those who have questions about voting or issues they need to address in order to vote. The St. Louis County Election Board is online and has a host of information available to voters.
Are you concerned you will not be in the area on April 3rd? Find out who can vote absentee and if you qualify, get the absentee ballot application and make sure to get it to the Election Board by March 28th, 2007.
Not a Registered voter? Find out who can legally vote, and if you qualify, get the voter registration form and make sure you get that to the Election Board no later than March 7th, 2007.
Not sure where you are supposed to vote? Just visit the Election Board web site and enter your street address to find your polling place.
Of course, being an informed voter is the ideal. To get you started, check out the Election Board's list of 2007 candidates and issues for the April 3rd, 2007 Election (Overland appears on page 10 and Ritenour appears on page 16). Feel free to check out The Overland Examiner's list of 2007 City Council Candidates as well. Also, Ritenour school district has a ton of information available about their upcoming bond issue Proposition R.
I hope to see every single Overland Resident at the polls in April. That would be a line I would be proud to stand in. There are likely to be more information sources and more events associated with the April election. If you know of any PLEASE click the comments link below or if you prefer, email me by clicking here.
Though all of these problems can have a negative impact on the bottom line of most families, they really don't compare to Municipal government. There are of course a number of other issues that can happen at the above levels of government. However, rarely do they do something with more impact than the above (though the Patriot act, medicare cuts, and MSD shenanigans come to mind).
The City government can decide to allow a new development project requiring the land your home is on. They can condemn your house, rezone your lot so you can't live there anymore and even refuse to give you an occupancy permit, preventing you from living in your legally owned property in the first place. Want to add a roof to your front porch? Want your street repaired? hear a prowler outside? You address all of these concerns and much more through City Hall.
Though many of the items listed as Municipal issues can happen on the other government levels as well, they rarely do. However, the above abuses are regular occurrences in cities throughout the country. Considering the damage Municipal government is capable of, we really need to take it seriously.
The next Municipal election will be on April 3rd, 2007. Polls will be open from 6:00AM to 7:00PM. Though you might not have voted in a long time (if at all) your vote does count. The only way the majority of the city is represented is if the majority gets out and votes. Make the decision to vote on April 3rd today.
There are a host of Internet resources out there for those who have questions about voting or issues they need to address in order to vote. The St. Louis County Election Board is online and has a host of information available to voters.
Are you concerned you will not be in the area on April 3rd? Find out who can vote absentee and if you qualify, get the absentee ballot application and make sure to get it to the Election Board by March 28th, 2007.
Not a Registered voter? Find out who can legally vote, and if you qualify, get the voter registration form and make sure you get that to the Election Board no later than March 7th, 2007.
Not sure where you are supposed to vote? Just visit the Election Board web site and enter your street address to find your polling place.
Of course, being an informed voter is the ideal. To get you started, check out the Election Board's list of 2007 candidates and issues for the April 3rd, 2007 Election (Overland appears on page 10 and Ritenour appears on page 16). Feel free to check out The Overland Examiner's list of 2007 City Council Candidates as well. Also, Ritenour school district has a ton of information available about their upcoming bond issue Proposition R.
I hope to see every single Overland Resident at the polls in April. That would be a line I would be proud to stand in. There are likely to be more information sources and more events associated with the April election. If you know of any PLEASE click the comments link below or if you prefer, email me by clicking here.
posted by Overland Sailor @ 8:55 AM 
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Good job Sailor! Their are a number of items coming up. The St. Louis Post Dispatch will have a Voters Guide coming out toward the end of March(Friday, 3/30/07 I believe). The Journal should do the same, at least they did 2 years age. The Lion's Club will be hosting a Candidates Forum put on by the League of Women Voters on Wed., 3/14 at 7 p.m.
Hopefully we will have a beautiful spring day on April 3rd so that the weather will not be an issue for anyone not to come and vote.
Twolayer, I don't care if we have snow, sleet, floods or tornados on the ground on April 3rd. We will be there to vote and I pray that anyone who gives a damn about this community will be there also. Citizens arise! Your community needs your vote desparately if Overland is to survive this cottonpickin' mess. Ya'll come!
Sailor, Thanks for the reminder of the jepardy that we may find ourselves in with a dsyfunctional city government. There already seems to be some individuals targeted with inappropriate citations, refused use of the Community Center etc. To those folks treated unjustly; Please hold on a little longer. We are expecting justice to reappear after April 3rd. Hopefully you will find rational city officials in place that you can reason with.
c3missile, Thanks for the helpful info. I raced to the calendar to mark the event at the Lions Club on March 14th and also will be looking for the Voters Guide in the Post. We want to be able to make informed decisions this time, because it is so important to our town.
I have 5 new friends who are here from other countries to study theology. They are watching Overland closely because I promised them that there is a non-violent way to get rid of crooked politicians in America. I hope we don't dissapoint them.
Sailor, Thanks for the reminder of the jepardy that we may find ourselves in with a dsyfunctional city government. There already seems to be some individuals targeted with inappropriate citations, refused use of the Community Center etc. To those folks treated unjustly; Please hold on a little longer. We are expecting justice to reappear after April 3rd. Hopefully you will find rational city officials in place that you can reason with.
c3missile, Thanks for the helpful info. I raced to the calendar to mark the event at the Lions Club on March 14th and also will be looking for the Voters Guide in the Post. We want to be able to make informed decisions this time, because it is so important to our town.
I have 5 new friends who are here from other countries to study theology. They are watching Overland closely because I promised them that there is a non-violent way to get rid of crooked politicians in America. I hope we don't dissapoint them.
Sam,
I agree with you.
I hope and would think, with everything that has gone on over the past year, every registered voter within the city wouldn't think of missing the April 3rd elections.
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