Academy of Local Politics

Building Inspector Bob Heinz stopped by the office late yesterday afternoon. Building permits are up.  Single family home building permits are up 24% over last year. A number of duplexes are planned and of course the new Piggly Wiggly will double their size and is expected to bring a few businesses that want to locate next to it. "Th Pig" needs to expand to keep up with Wal-Mart.

If you noticed all the squad cars around town yesterday, it was the annual Memorial Day speed trap the State Troopers set. It is amazing listening to the scanner when they do this. One by one by one by one they pick off drivers doing a MINIMUM of 78. You can speed by 12 over the limit without penalty. Many I heard on the scanner were doing in excess of 85. High gas prices? Sure didn't stop many from coming north for the long weekend.

Carl at the airport expected a busy weekend there also. Should sell lots of fuel. Yes, CommonSenseville.US gets a cut of that business.

Mayor Al

You are probably wondering what is going on
with some of the issues in the old home town, aren't you?
Time for a Weekend Update!

Here goes.

The proposed hand held cell phone ban goes to Council on Tuesday.
It won't be close. The ban won't pass.
Unless a miracle occurs between now and Tuesday.
Be lucky to get votes.
I'll fill you in after the vote.
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What's happening with the idea of purchasing life insurance policies to fund the city?
The City Administrator (Dick Orator) is looking into it.
Actually he found another City Administrator,
 who was instructed by his Mayor to also look into it.
So, I think they are working together on it.
Hope so.

Dick told me he had heard of this before,
but only for "capital projects", not operating revenue.

I'm not expecting an immediate response.
When I get a response,
I expect it to be complete however.

I'll keep you updated. This could become very interesting?

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Bird Flu Preparation.
You were hoping this was going to go away?
So was I.
But, it ain't.

I've exchanged emails with Brendanne Phillips author of Escape the Bird Flu.
I had some "expense questions" to ask her and I was impressed with her follow up.
A more in depth post on this issue will be coming soon.
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Oh Angell. Public TV. What to do?
The public's input on this issue was deafening.
Or, at least so quiet, it seemed like it was deafening.

I'm thinking. I'm still thinking.
I'm going to come up with something.
I just don't know yet.
It could be this week.
It could be next month.
It could be next year.
But, eventually, I will try something.

Not that you care.

We are off to see the Grandkids later today.
Be back in the office mid-Monday.

Mayor Al

Weekends are always interesting.

As I go around town doing errands or working on the "Honey Do" list,
the comments I hear from the citizens are wide and diverse.

The hand held cell phone ban proposal is certainly be discussed.
Is it my imagination, or is just the talk of a ban, decreasing the numbers of people yakking as they drive?
It seems that way. But, it could be my imagination.

Citizens ask about my recent trip to Philadelphia. Great city. Unbelievable history.

A Chamber of Commerce member chastising me for bringing up the lack of historical signs in our community.
She told me that the City should do it. Now.
That's the problem. If the city does it, it wouldn't be now. 
A Committee would need to be formed and have open meetings and argue about this and that, then bring the proposal to the City Council who could kill months or years of work. No thanks.

Presidents Day is coming up and my thoughts on the candidates is being discussed. Most people agree with me.
Some party faithful on both sides, take exception to my remarks. What's new?

Baseball Spring Training starts this week! Gotta love that.

Mayor Al