In a press release issued today, Overland Ward 4 Council Member Les Dills called for an end to the senior utility tax rebate program. In the short statement that came with the announcement, Les Dills claimed that Overland's Senior Citizens were only using that money for gambling.

"What started out as a good program to court the votes of those over 65", explained Council Member Dills, "has become a windfall for Harrah's. It is for that reason that I am calling for the mayor and city council to eliminate the utility tax rebates from the next fiscal year budget."

Mayor MT Schneider could not be reached for comment or opinion.

Citizens of Overland for Good Goverment (COGG) held a press conference today regarding the city's annual fall festival. Overland's Autumn in the Park is scheduled for this weekend, September 22 and 23.

"We consider ourselves watchdogs of the city." explained COGG president Mark Giroux. "As such, we can not stand idly by while the city holds this mis-named festival. It is clearly still summer, yet they insist on the name calling, however wrong it may be."

Research done by the Picayune show that the group is right. Autumn is scheduled to begin this Sunday, September 23. The festival is scheduled for Norman Meyers park on Saturday and Sunday.

"I've checked my almanac," exclaimed COGG member Tom Fitzgerald. "It clearly states that Autumn does not begin until 4:51 pm that day. This so-called 'Autumn in the Park' ends at 5 pm. So, really it's only Fall for nine whole minutes!"

Third ward council member, Ken Owensby, is supporting the group on this measure. "This is exactly the type of action that I stand up for on the city council. We can not be loosey-goosey on our definitions." Owensby later said he might join the COGG group if they continue to bring such important matters to light.

Relatedly, apple butter sales by the Overland Historical Society should be brisk regardless of the naming controversy.

During his first weeks of office, Mayor MT Schneider has reported that he has been very busy trying to get new businesses to locate in Overland. "I've been writing letters to companies. And if there is company you want to see in Overland, you tell me and I will write them a letter," Schneider told the crowd at Monday's City Council Meeting.

East Sherwood
God
Awful
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Drivers existing East Sherwood are only allowed a right turn onto Midland Road. Giroux said this group was formed to gather like-minded people who want to turn left onto Midland, onto Lackland or simply exit from the entrance.

In conjunction with Mothers Against Deadbeat Dads (MADD), the Overland Police Department will be holding a Paternity Check Point at an unspecified location the weekend of September 14-16. Chief Herron explained that the measure is based on the success of the sobriety check points in getting drunk drivers off the street.

"This will have an overall benefit to the community--especially the children," stated Overland Police Chief Jim Herron.

"We have a definitive problem in the state of Missouri," explaind Social Services Director Charles Goodling. "It would take reams of paper to print off the lists of all parents who are behind in child support payments."

Mayor MT Schneider explained this was one of his campaign goals. "I'm proud to say that I am the one who brought paternity checkpoints to Overland."

While Overland residents picked up their belongings from as far as a mile from their home following this week's thunder storms that tore through northwest St. Louis County, Ward 4 Council Member Mike Schneider assessed the damage to his mayoral campaign.


"This is not acceptable!" Schneider lamented, "I've done some investigation and have found that a majority of my signs are missing from the yards where they have been placed." Overland Picayune investigative reporters had trouble verifying the signage story as the streets and houses have been darkened due to power outages that have affected the majority of Overland.


"This is the utmost of silly politics," stated Ward 1 Council Member Edie Cuminale. "No one stole those signs, unless you want to point the finger at Mother Nature!"


Schnieder supporters are not completely convinced that this isn't the actions of political opponents. "We have had enough of the 'toxic' behavior that has beleaguered this city," stated Schneider supporter and spokesperson Lester Dills. "I've heard the 'wind' excuses, I'm just not sure the citizens are going to buy that line."


The Schneider campaign did not hesitate to begin an official investigation after contacting local media. Police Chief Jim Herron attributed the missing signs not to "dirty politics" but to the catastrophic natural disaster and up to 50 mph winds that has hit the city. He has promised to do an investigation once he "takes care of the disaster relief that is more relevant to the city."

In a move that can only be seen as a conflict of business for the Tupperware-salesman-turned-council-member, Ward 4 Council Member Mike Schneider has proposed an city ordinance banning all use of Rubbermaid products.

"I feel Overland will move forward if we buy all of our necessities, including kitchen gadgets through home party plans," explained Schneider. "It is in the best interests of our city and actually gets people working and making money."

Not all council members are convinced of Schnieder's take on the proposal. "This is an outrage!" exclaimed Ward 3 council member Ken Owensby. "It is apparent that Schneider still has ties to Tupperware and is only acting in his own interest. What next--Sterilite will be banned?!"

Rubbermaid spokesperson could not readily comment. The stunned spokesperson stated the company had never encountered any such measures, even in Tupperware's home city of Orlando.

Rubbermaid is a competing household plastics company based in Huntersville, North Carolina.

After decades of disappointing actions and re-actions of Ward 3 residents, especially at the ballot box, the City of Overland has decided to place Prop 3 on the August ballot. Proposition 3 will allow voters to un-annex a portion of the City of Overland commonly known as Ward 3. Ward 3, in the southern part of the city, is loosely bounded by Flora/Lackland, Dyer, Woodson and the current city limits.
Current Ward 3 Councilman Ken Owensby is a surprising supporter of such legislation. "If this passes," he said after a recent council meeting, "I will work to incorporate our own city. I'm already thinking names like ORTland or Owensburg."
As enthusiastic as Owensby is about the proposal, not all Ward 3 residents feel the same. "I can't believe this! I love Overland, I'm just stuck among all these odd balls," complained Mary Schuetz, a resident of Ward 3.
In a related story, EPA officials are wrapping up their investigation of mind-altering substances that have been found in a creek that winds throughout Overland's 3rd ward.