Will be attending the "Lay the Levy" meeting at 8:00 A.M. this morning (Tuesday), if I can get into the building? It is nothing, supposedly, but a formality. Pretty much true, but the undercurrents of our City Governance are many times more important that what is supposed to go on?
The "Grand Opening" for the new Gym will be on the 9th of May now instead of the 18th of April. Says expecting even Mr. Justice; a tawdry attempt to justify so much money for such a small return. By that I do NOT mean the Seniors should not have their activities, but for all the money spent on what could have been so much cheaper either with sensible scheduling in the old Senior Center or as I asked before to use the empty building(s) on 30th Street?
The constant head counts by the City Administration seem to be far higher than what some of the folks who are attending say that are there? At least, they are now saying for the Seniors only. Now so sure those around 50 are going to be very happy with inclusion as a "Senior". But seems is pretty much the only way to get head counts much above the mid/ high 30s?
Now that Mr. Justice has vetoed the budget presented to him, we wait for the major players to get together in next few days/ weeks to decide on a game plan. As noted before, no one is going to get what they all want, so a series of Tax Increases, Fees, any other charge they can get away with. Will continue to try and cut this and that with pushing through the pay raise for the Teachers? But in the end the folks are going to take it in the shorts, yet again. Too, far too few people in this State to sustain the ever increasing budgets. But no one will listen till after a big brouhaha each year. There is some hope that coal, gas, oil will continue to grow and bring back some of the bucks. But if seems the Tax on Coal was reduced this year so even with an upsurge, there will be less money there than in past years.
And we do have the glimmer of hope where Mr. Justice says a budget deal is possible? Of course, were the State to be shut down for lack of money, there would be holy hell to pay and a lot of folks would be looking for real work in 2018. But remember, we have another Obamalite in Charleston who I suspect would have no problem closing it down and blame the Republicrats.
One of the saddest part of this years Legislative session was the fact that the Bill (SB 411/ House 2307), to establish the Home Rule Program for ALL Municipalities is out for Mr. Justice to veto, sign or just let it slip through. Why as of this date (18 April 2017), it is not showing some sort of resolution leaves me to suspect it will pass either with or without a signature by Mr. Justice. This is going to be another brick on the backs of the folks where ever it is now NOT in force. We are still dealing with who knows what for State Sales Tax and other new charges on top of this. Here in Mudville, not any change except the tap dancing on the second floor as the legal robbery of the folks will continue.
Our ever forward looking Mr. Kelly part of the 90 yes votes versus 3 no's and 7 MIA? This was not done for the to date non participating Cities, it was to insure continued abuse of the Tax Payers in each already approved City. But, with 90 yes votes, lots of cover. What is the secret for Mr. Kelly was he tried to expand it to include the County 1% Sales Tax also. So far, the County portion is off the table, but remember, 2018 is coming. He doth love his taxes and proclaims to be a Republicrat. But he also will move Heaven and Earth to take care of his bubba's.
Bit funny that Mr. Myer in his weekly "Their Opinion" column of the 10th was talking about "Learning to make due with less". While his point was the State, it in Truth was just what was once called a "warning order" on what was to come. That being WE learn to make do with less. As I have said over and over, the folks are going to take a beating no matter which budget passes. Just holding it even is going to have tax increases by the Legislature. Anything is going to be an additional burden on those who can least afford it- tax increase or program cuts.
And the column that the State is running out of options on dealing with the Opioids problem. Yep, for sure it is a tough nut to crack and get bigger. Need stronger programs to possibly get the addicts off and keep them off drugs. But also need to make it so hard on the Distributors that they too will either go elsewhere to sell (sad for someone else), or possibly quit? And I don't see them giving up the big bucks and benefits to do that?
Was going into one of the local stores Wednesday morning. Just as I pulled in, another car also pulled in two spaces up from me. The driver got out and as I was exiting my car really gave me the going over checking me out. I was a bit surprised at how he was watching me? I went into the store behind him and went to the counter to do my business. He came back with a bottle of water so I said "go ahead". But than he bought two or three other items. When he had paid for them, he asked where is the bathroom? Seemed odd the way he was acting so I watched him as he went in that direction. When I looked back at the cashier, he was grinning at me a lot. I asked what? He said it was pretty obvious wasn't it? He seemed to know the guy was going to give himself a hit/ fix? I believed he was right based on the actions of the man? I began to leave and as I was entering my car, looked over at the other car and the man was going through his trunk; throwing stuff all over as he looked what I would say was almost "desperately" for something? Very, very aggressively searching for sure?
Was interesting albeit sad to see where at about 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday (19th), Mr. O'Reilly was forced out from his 20 year reign at Fox News. When I watched his show, I noted he was many times tough on those who needed to be tough with. But, his alleged misconduct with numerous women has apparently caught up with him? Don't know who will replace him, but suspect his show with its current notoriety and position will be no more. While the viewers appeared to stand by him, the advertisers ran for the hills. And we all know, "Men stumble, Bull S*** mutters and Money talks". 'nuff said'.