Comments on The Overland Examiner: Last weeks poll

That's a good point. Also, I believe there is a ...

2007-04-22T11:16:00.000-05:00

That's a good point. Also, I believe there is a state requirement to post announcements in the local paper so regardless of having a newsletter we would have to do that.

However, with ads we are limited on space. With a newsletter all sorts of information could be distributed. Monthly Calendars, Meeting agendas, updates on projects at various departments, even interesting features about residents, businesses, and long term employees. Maybe even answer a few residents questions that would likely apply to more than just them. There is a lot that could be done with this.

It's my estimate that you could produce this and distribute it to every household and business in Overland for approximately $2000.00 a month (unless additional staff is required). We actually had a budget item of $25,000.00 for a newsletter so it seems possible within the budget.

Where past administrations have failed over and over again is in not engaging and informing the public. Online is a answer in Overland but not the only one since the majority of residents don't have regular internet access yet.

There is a possibility that distribution costs could be reduced if we did something like an insert. An insert would be good in the localite price wise, but considering some of the ads that have appeared there and the irregular deliveries of late I am not sure this is the best option.

Though more expensive and insert in the Suburban Journal would be possible. However, if you walk around you'll find lots of houses with a half dozen or more copies of that paper rotting away in their driveways.

Another thing to consider is that this is not a long term solution. I would estimate that in 10-15 years we will double percentage of Overland residents who have regular internet access and could move the newsletter online, perhaps providing a printable PDF version or the like.

Now, one other option to consider is an independent version. Volunteers could come together to produce and deliver it. They would need funding which would likely mean they'd need to setup a 501(3)c or something similar, and they would also need enough volunteers to effectively distribute it.

Just a few thoughts to chew on there. :-)

The Journal and Localite are two good sources of g...

2007-04-22T10:57:00.000-05:00

The Journal and Localite are two good sources of getting information to the public. They are free for the public and we already to some advertising with them. I would think it would be more cost effective to go this route than to have our own newsletter.

That said, I would like to see each ward have it's own newsletter. Ward 4 used to have one. And it was distributed door to door by kids. Just one page, front and back.

It included updates on relevant ordinances, new businesses, holiday decoration contests, as well as what was happening city-wide.

Much more than that or what appears in the localite you tread on either having too much fluff or it becomes a political tool.

Thanks juandos!

and based on everyth...

2007-04-22T07:56:00.000-05:00

Thanks juandos!

and based on everything that happened last week it looks like, barring any issues at Monday's Council Meeting, there will be an August election.

This is good for Overland. It allows us to swiftly get closure on this issue. It also creates the possibility that the public will remain engaged enough in this for us to see a high turn out at an August election (with means more voices in Overland choosing who the Mayor will be).

I took some time off from all of this because I wanted a break and figured not much would happen before the Council Meeting of the 23rd of August. It seems that while I was away, President Pro-Tem May directed that advertisements be posted for the filing period of an August Election, and Overland's ridiculous process of having to sign a waiting list days before the signup period and remain on City Property to hold your place in line is already underway.

Of course if the Council fails to possitively vote for the August election that the money spent on those ads will be lost and the time people have spend around City Hall due to the sign up list will be wasted.

However, Ordinance requires that a public announcement be placed a week before the sign up period so it looks like President Pro-Tem May acted to ensure that the an August election would be possible should the Council vote for it on the 23rd. Good for him!

One last note, I am not really surprised at the poll results on the Newsletter issue. Everyone who can participate has Online access and can get information from the City's website if they choose to. However, I estimate that at best 40% of Overland is Online. so if not a newsletter, are there other suggestions on how to better inform the public in Overland?

Hey OS, good info here amigo...
<...

2007-04-19T05:41:00.000-05:00

Hey OS, good info here amigo...

You to EC, good info...

Shows me that the old saw, "one is never to old to learn" is still as valid as the day it was coined...

Thanks guys...

The issue with an "appointed" mayor over a duly-el...

2007-04-13T15:17:00.000-05:00

The issue with an "appointed" mayor over a duly-elected mayor is that whenever she(or he) does something one doesn't agree with they will quickly point out "Well, she/he wasn't elected!"

An August election is needed. WE have lost a year already--actually probably digressed 5 years instead of just not making progress.

For Overland's best interest, an August election is necessary.

OK thanks for the info. So a "home rule" charter...

2007-04-11T22:47:00.000-05:00

OK thanks for the info. So a "home rule" charter = charter form of government, and St. Louis County being over 1 million population meets that requirement as well.

Nice to put that portion to bed. Thanks Edgar! :-)

Now that leaves us with August, November, or later.

I hope the Council members, both existing and those about to take office realize that the residents want this issue resolved sooner rather than later.

Though not as politically damaging as appointing a replacement would have been, needlessly putting off this election is likely to be a problem for the majority of Overland voters.

OS, per council appointment, the operative languag...

2007-04-11T18:07:00.000-05:00

OS, per council appointment, the operative language is "...except in counties of the first classification with a charter form of government which have a population of at least nine hundred thousand inhabitants"

St. Louis County is the only Missouri county of the first classification with a charter form of government and a population greater that 900,000; hence, this section of the statute is not applicable to Overland.

I agree that August is the solution, but I am not ...

2007-04-11T17:41:00.000-05:00

I agree that August is the solution, but I am not entirely sure that an election is required by statute.

The Recall statutes don't actually deal with this question. A look at 77.660 leaves us with:

"If a majority of the qualified electors voting on the question at such election shall vote FOR the removal of such officer, a vacancy shall exist in such office."

So how do you fill a vacancy in the office of Mayor?

77.240 covers this, but it also seems to contradict itself.

At one point it says:

"When any vacancy shall happen in the office of mayor, by death, resignation, removal from the city, removal from office, refusal to qualify or otherwise, nominations of a successor may be made by any member of the council and selected with the consent of a majority of the members of the council, except in counties of the first classification with a charter form of government which have a population of at least nine hundred thousand inhabitants."

But later in the Statute it says:

"In counties of the first classification with a charter form of government and which do not contain a city with a population of at least four hundred thousand, in case of vacancy other than a temporary absence or disability, the person exercising the office of mayor shall cause a new election to be held; provided, when a vacancy occurs within six months of a municipal election, no election shall be called to fill such vacancy."

Without a road trip to research the legal precedents associated with these statutes, I can only go by what they say.

However, I am not sure how Overland fits in as we seem to fit into the description of both options.

Regardless, nothing prevents the Council from choosing to hold an election, and to do anything else would be political suicide in my opinion.

However, I would love a clarification on these statutes, so if anyone has better information please feel free to share it. :-)

OS, I agree that the election must be held in Augu...

2007-04-11T17:19:00.000-05:00

OS, I agree that the election must be held in August.

Considering the past year, Overland cannot afford to go another 7 months both leaderless and directionless.

Also, appointment by the council is not an option. State statutes require a new election to be held.

Something else I should have mentioned is that app...

2007-04-11T15:26:00.000-05:00

Something else I should have mentioned is that appointed the Mayor would save the City the cost of holding the election.

I am not sure how much that will cost (numbers have varied wildly), but it is something gained from Appointment.

Personally, I don't think the disenfranchisement of Overland voters is worth it though.