OBA was charged with new energy with the addition of new members and renewed interest

by Willa Boisseau
Scanews senior editor

       The April 8 meeting of the Olive Business Association was charged with new energy with the addition of new members and renewed interest.
       
       Lynn Rossel, president, introduced Mr. Thomas Moton, Assistant City Manager of University City.  He explained processes for Business License applications and renewals, and their function as the bases of city business taxes.
       
       Mr. Moton said many business owners did not understand the reason for the 2002 tax return requirements.  The City has found that education and problem-solving have given better results than just standard impersonal letters.  Sometimes gross receipts were confules with net receeipts, for example.  A copy of a merchant's financial statement or tax return, kept confidential, helps to clear up the problem, since the tax is based on gross receipts.  Certain businesses, such as banks, churches and non-profits, are taxed on  a different basis.  The minimum tax for a normal business is $30.00.

       This year, Mr. Moton said, tax returns have come into the City much earlier, and more businesses have paid correctly.  This has made all concerned much happier, especially since it means late filers and payers avoid paying a tax penalty. 

       Larry Lieberman, City Councilman, discussed the coming 2-year closing of the Forest Park Expressway from DeBaliviere through U. City.  He said detour routes will be Skinker, Olive Street, Vernon, and Highway 40, trying not to congest Delmar.  More traffic over Olive Street should be good exposure for businesses.  Proper cycling of traffic lights on Olive should be improved at night.

       The owner of U. City York Sign & Banner Co., located on Olive Street, uncovered the design for the new banners.  After discussion of costs of banners, and of the posts on which they could be hung, it was evident that there was a problem.  It became clear that flags would be easier and less expensive to maintain than banners, and that all members of the OBA would be able to fly these flags.  The displays could include a flag of the merchant's own choice.  Perhaps the Asian community could use a red and gold dragon flag, or some such symbol showing their China Town identity, together with the OBA flag.  Merchants who did not wish to be included in that group could fly a flag with the symbol of their own business together with the OBA flag, for instance,  the Mexican grocery store and Radio Shack.

       This new idea must be cleared with U. City and its sign laws, but everyone was excited about the colorful possibilities.  If the planning is accepted, work can go ahead quickly.  The official producer of the flags will probably be U. City York Sign & Banner Co., located in the Olive business district itself.

       It was announced that the St. Louis Chinese American Newspaper will welcome news articles about events in U. City.  These articles can be printed in both the English and Chinese language sections.

       Another good buffet meal opened the meeting.  It closed promptly at 8:00 P.M.  For the next interesting meeting, merchants should arrive at 6:00 P.M. on May 13, at the Heman Park Community Center.