Academy of Local Politics

It's been a while since I've updated you on the proposed hand held cell phone ban.

There is a reason for that. There hasn't been anything to report.

It's been drug out for almost six weeks now.
It gets tiring talking about an issue like this constantly.
It's not that exciting of an issue.
Important, but not exciting!!!!

One of the teachings in Moving Mountains and Molehllls Local Politics 101
is to some times just "back off" for a while. So, everyone has.

Now there is news.

One of the "on the fence, leaning no vote" members of the Council, Rance Rust,
stopped in my office this morning. Last time I had talked with Rance he was leaning "no". He just didn't think this was a road he wanted to travel.

Today, Rance explained in more detail his thoughts.
He considers himself a guardian of private property rights.
This just didn't fit with his political philosophy.
He knew there was a problem, but not convinced this was the best solution.

So, as of now. The straw vote stands 5 yes, 3 no. 
Need 6 for passage.

It's still an eternity in local government. 
A lot can happen in 12 days.

Mayor Al

I asked for input on what you would like to see on Pubic Access Television. The silence was deafening. I know from talking to many of you, that you sometimes take a peek at a Council Meeting or School Board. You've told me that before. But, not now. Nothing.

The only conclusion I can draw from that is if Pubic Access Television continues as it is, you will continue to be uninterested.

Something has to change.

So, I'm thinking about it.
Also entertaining any posted comments on the issue of Public Access Television.

I'll let you know if I come up with anything.

Necessity is the Mother of invention.

Mayor Al

It happened again yesterday. I got a property tax question that I didn't like.
I reached into my file and pulled this out.
I wrote it a couple of years ago.

I called it, My Little City - Your Little Town

Why are your property taxes so high? I get asked that question so many times by my rural neighbors, I want to puke. Why are my property taxes so high? Let me tell you, my good neighbor.

In our county, 73% of the property valuation is located outside of the cities. That's right, 73% of the property value! What do you 73% of property values expect? Well, you expect...

Jobs. You need jobs. You need Business (Industrial) Parks. Who pays for the Business Park land? Who pays the infrastructure costs to build and maintain business development? Well, I do. I provide for your place of employment. How about the airport needed to support those business jobs? Getting customers in. Getting product out. Are you helping to pay for that? Not in my city.

Shopping. Someone has to provide the infrastructure to the businesses that provide the retail base. But, it isn't just us city folk that shop. Do you think that you help pay in any way whatsoever, for the costs associated with serving the retail sector? Well, you don't.

How about your tax exempt church? Who pays for the infrastructure costs associated for you to pray to your almighty tax dollar savings? That would be me.

Need a hospital? I suspect you will want to be treated by the tax exempt hospital in my city, won't you?

Having a family reunion this summer? You want a nice park for that don't you? Do I get one guess whose park you are going to use for free? Don't even get me started on the fact you wanted me to build your kids new soccer fields. Geez, soccer!

By now, you may start to think you need some ammunition to counteract my arguments. You probably want to come into my city, and use my library, to look up some information, don't you?

It's not just infrastructure costs associated for all these items. You also need police and fire protection to protect your workplace, your church, your medical facility, your favorite store. Well, pick my pocket! Speaking of police protection, who pays for yours? While you don't have to help pay for mine, I have to help pay for your Sheriff Department through my County tax. That's real fair!

How about your county roads? I help pay for those too, but as soon as the county road enters my city limits, I'm expected to pick up the total cost. You just want to keep sticking it to me, don't you?

County Zoning? I have to subsidize that also? I have my city planning department.

When someone asks where you are "from" you claim my city, because nobody has heard of your podunk town.

And in the end...when you die... I even have to provide your cemetery.
May you rest in peace. Maybe then you will stop bitching about my taxes?

Sometimes, people hit me on a bad day.

Mayor Al

Our District One Council Representative, Millie Mishmash, is one of the most respected ladies in Common Senseville.  Millie came into my office today to talk to me about the Bird Flu.

Yes, the Bird Flu.

Millie had received the following email and wanted to pass it on to me.

Dear family and friends,

A good friend of mine has written a book on surviving the Bird
Flu called What You Must do to Escape the Bird Flu.  I know her personally
and want to help her out, this is why you are getting this email.  This is
the second book Brendanne has written her first one was A Journey Through
Cancer telling her own cancer journey.  The book was written to support
others suffering with this disease, to give them comfort and guidance in the
midst of crisis.  Her second book  What You Must do to Escape the Bird Flu
has the same goal in mind to help during the moment of crisis.  Please click
on the link below to find out more about this fantastic life saving book.

http://escapethebirdflu.com/Promotion.html

Thank You for helping a friend.

Well, Millie has also decided that Common Senseville should start to prepare as a community, should the Bird Flu come to our area. After all, we do have a large number of turkeys in our area.

I have to admit, I have questions about this?
How much will it cost Common Senseville to do this?
Do the potential benefits of preparing for an outbreak, justify the costs?
That I am sure is just the start of my questions?

Millie wants to put this on the March 27 Common Senseville City Council Agenda.

I better buy the book and find out what this is all about.
I have a hunch this book will get read by many over the next month,
in preparation for the discussion.

What do you think? Prepare for the Bird Flu?

Mayor Al

As todays Winter Storm Warning turns into reality,
I thought it was time to honor one of the finest products
made in Small Town, USA.

The Stormy Kromer Cap.

This week, the Midwest Edition of American Profile Magazine
featured an article about this very famous Upper Midwest cap.

Believe me when I say, the Stormy Kromer cap is the finest
winter cap ever made! One has adorned my head for a number of years.

Like one of the stories told in this article, I also own two of them.
One black, one Red.

It's only Common Sense to wear one,
when the weather turns snowy, cold and windy.

Mayor Al