Will the powers that be in this freakin city ever learn??
These people just cost the Greensboro taxpayers $1.4 million dollars.
What is the city's answer to it?
Give them another $25,000.00 of taxpayer money.
Think I'll go up there and get my ass in line.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Excedrin and Alka Seltzer
sales should increase dramatically in the next few weeks as tax filing season gets into full swing.
I completed mine yesterday in just under two hours with the 'ole computer and some store bought tax software.
I was pleasantly surprised when a sizable refund popped up on the screen. A refund had not been in my thoughts this year. I expected to have to pay them some because I had worked almost 200 hours of overtime last year. Wonders never cease.
However, the joy of the refund didn't last long---I found this little tidbit on the net:
Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
How true!
Now if my lottery numbers would.......
I completed mine yesterday in just under two hours with the 'ole computer and some store bought tax software.
I was pleasantly surprised when a sizable refund popped up on the screen. A refund had not been in my thoughts this year. I expected to have to pay them some because I had worked almost 200 hours of overtime last year. Wonders never cease.
However, the joy of the refund didn't last long---I found this little tidbit on the net:
Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
How true!
Now if my lottery numbers would.......
Monday, January 24, 2005
A Brand New Me
I finally found out why I'm so ill tempered and irritable all the time.
TOXINS.
With this kit I can flush all the toxins away.
I will then have a sense of renewed energy, a clean fresh feeling, my moods can be balanced, and I'll have a free wad of energy.
Well not exactly free, the kit costs $89.50.
Might have to stay ill tempered and irritable.
TOXINS.
With this kit I can flush all the toxins away.
I will then have a sense of renewed energy, a clean fresh feeling, my moods can be balanced, and I'll have a free wad of energy.
Well not exactly free, the kit costs $89.50.
Might have to stay ill tempered and irritable.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Left To Rot
This text accompanies a photo in the News & Record this morning.
"A fall tomato shortage has turned into a surplus that Florida growers say has forced them to abandon 60 million pounds on the vine in the past two weeks, generating pledges of help Tuesday from the state.
Help from the state? Sounds to me like the state is going to pay the growers for the tomatoes. The state should have said, "Look, If we're gonna buy these things, you're gonna pick 'em." And made them pick every one.
Last I heard Campbells still makes tomato soup and Hunts and Del Monte still can tomatoes. 60 million pounds of tomatoes would make a lot of soup or can tomatoes that could be put to use in food banks or homeless shelters in Florida. They could have made a deal with Campbells, Hunts, or Del Monte, or SOMEBODY to get the tomatoes processed. Maybe a one-time tax break for what it cost to do the processing?? Then they would of had probably 45 million pounds of usable tomatoes and soup in the food banks and homeless shelters.
The way it stands now the tomatoes are rotten, the growers will be paid for letting them rot, the Florida taxpayers will be out money, the homeless will still be hungry, and the food banks will still be wanting for food to give to the needy. And 60 million pounds of tomatoes rotted on the vines.
But that's how government works.
"A fall tomato shortage has turned into a surplus that Florida growers say has forced them to abandon 60 million pounds on the vine in the past two weeks, generating pledges of help Tuesday from the state.
Help from the state? Sounds to me like the state is going to pay the growers for the tomatoes. The state should have said, "Look, If we're gonna buy these things, you're gonna pick 'em." And made them pick every one.
Last I heard Campbells still makes tomato soup and Hunts and Del Monte still can tomatoes. 60 million pounds of tomatoes would make a lot of soup or can tomatoes that could be put to use in food banks or homeless shelters in Florida. They could have made a deal with Campbells, Hunts, or Del Monte, or SOMEBODY to get the tomatoes processed. Maybe a one-time tax break for what it cost to do the processing?? Then they would of had probably 45 million pounds of usable tomatoes and soup in the food banks and homeless shelters.
The way it stands now the tomatoes are rotten, the growers will be paid for letting them rot, the Florida taxpayers will be out money, the homeless will still be hungry, and the food banks will still be wanting for food to give to the needy. And 60 million pounds of tomatoes rotted on the vines.
But that's how government works.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Deeper and Deeper
So who gave Etta Mullikin a blank check to spend taxpayer money like it was her own?? The more of this situation that comes out, the more it seems it was a "gift of public assets" which is illeagle according to the NC Supreme Court.
Frankly, if the allegations prove true, I hope she is prosecuted, convicted, and made to foot the bill for Dr. K's $63,000.00 severance since she so arrogantly decided that the taxpayers should do it instead.
I'm also a little curious as to what advice the lawyer they hired was giving her during this fiasco. Advice not heeded or incompetent???
Frankly, if the allegations prove true, I hope she is prosecuted, convicted, and made to foot the bill for Dr. K's $63,000.00 severance since she so arrogantly decided that the taxpayers should do it instead.
I'm also a little curious as to what advice the lawyer they hired was giving her during this fiasco. Advice not heeded or incompetent???
Monday, January 17, 2005
The Nerve of Some People
Went over to the "budz" house Sunday to watch the football games, just like I have been doing all season.
He's got a nice playroom where we can set up three TV's. Two to watch the two network games, plus one to watch the game on satellite with the season pass package he's got. All this and we can shoot pool and drink beer too!! It's a hard life but somebody's gotta do it.
I get there before the rest of the crowd and go to the fridge to grab a beer, open the door, and my jaw hits the floor. In the fridge, staring back at me, are about three cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon and Milwaukee's Best. Now all this coming from a man who has been supplying the "boys" with Budweiser and Michelob the whole season.
First thing that hits my mind is this is a not so subtle reminder that "I'm tired of buying the beer". But hey we've offered and you've always declined so I don't know why you've got a bug up your ass and I know you're going to read this. So tell me, "What's the problem?"
You've always had the pleasure of our company (since your wife won't let you go out with us), and you've always made money when we come over (off the pool games and our lousy football bets) so the least you could do is buy some good beer. Hell, I even heard you comment that you furnished your new daughters nursery off my bad bets and bad pool playing.
But that's all right. I drank your beer.
Tell you what though.
I'm buying the beer next Sunday and for the Super Bowl.
Cause I soaked your ass for $165.00 Sunday didn't I???????????
He's got a nice playroom where we can set up three TV's. Two to watch the two network games, plus one to watch the game on satellite with the season pass package he's got. All this and we can shoot pool and drink beer too!! It's a hard life but somebody's gotta do it.
I get there before the rest of the crowd and go to the fridge to grab a beer, open the door, and my jaw hits the floor. In the fridge, staring back at me, are about three cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon and Milwaukee's Best. Now all this coming from a man who has been supplying the "boys" with Budweiser and Michelob the whole season.
First thing that hits my mind is this is a not so subtle reminder that "I'm tired of buying the beer". But hey we've offered and you've always declined so I don't know why you've got a bug up your ass and I know you're going to read this. So tell me, "What's the problem?"
You've always had the pleasure of our company (since your wife won't let you go out with us), and you've always made money when we come over (off the pool games and our lousy football bets) so the least you could do is buy some good beer. Hell, I even heard you comment that you furnished your new daughters nursery off my bad bets and bad pool playing.
But that's all right. I drank your beer.
Tell you what though.
I'm buying the beer next Sunday and for the Super Bowl.
Cause I soaked your ass for $165.00 Sunday didn't I???????????
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Same Old Disease
GreensboroCityCouncilStJamesHomesProjectHomesteadaphobiawhite
elephantitistaxpayerscrewithus
elephantitistaxpayerscrewithus
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
"CYA" Agreement??
It looks like Dr K and the Board of Health are in the news again and it looks to me like it might be one of those "cover your ass" type scenarios. It seems they have a settlement agreement signed by Dr K so he could receive his $63,000 taxpayer gift, they publicly accepted it Monday and voted to include it as part of their board minutes from a Nov 22 meeting.
I'm no rocket scientist but I do get a burr up my butt every now and then when people appointed to be stewards of the taxpayers money can give it away like this in secrecy and try to scam the taxpayers and keep it a secret. I did a google on what meeting minutes were and the laws for minutes and this is what came back:
They must be accurate and reflect what was actually said----must be actionable (clearly
state agreed action) and selective (only the important things should be noted and not all
the fluff in between) --- to formally record vital information.
If this agreement was accurate, important, vital information, and reflected what was actually said, why wasn't it already in the minutes of the meeting and why did you have to come back a month and a half later and vote to include it as part of the board minutes of a meeting where he tendered his resignation. I would think that is vital information and that is why I think this is just a "cover your ass" move. I don't think the settlement agreement ever came about until all this became public and all the bad publicity.
According to last weeks Rhino that may be the case.
The legality of this whole deal is now in question as it is believed now that it was never voted on by the Health Board. According to one Health Board member there was never a vote in closed session. According to the media there was no open session public vote outside the purview of the press. Any way the agreement was signed putting the taxpayers on the hook for the $63,000.
Or are they??
Public officials in North Carolina who give away government assets face personal liability for those assets.
Since this agreement was signed without a vote of the board the person that signed the agreement is personally liable for the money paid out and also the cost of any benefits paid out. Personally if the person that signed the agreement is held responsible, I think they all should be just because of the cavalier, in your face, we don't have to tell you shit about what we do with your money attitude that these people have. It would do my heart good to see 'em all have to keep up 'ole Dr. K for six mos.
Now I see the News & Record wanting to blast Steve Arnold for wanting to remove these board members saying it might cause more "problems" than it "solves". I sure don't see how the hell that could happen. We got a truckload of problems now.
They also say that Arnold and his fellow commissioners ought to ask tough questions about the Krishnaraj matter. But they should do so with an eye toward a resolution, not a revolution.
I agree the commissionersought to ask tough questions, with the exception of Bruce Davis.(Him being on the Health Board he is part of the problem)
But it may take a revolution to get a resoulution.
I'm no rocket scientist but I do get a burr up my butt every now and then when people appointed to be stewards of the taxpayers money can give it away like this in secrecy and try to scam the taxpayers and keep it a secret. I did a google on what meeting minutes were and the laws for minutes and this is what came back:
They must be accurate and reflect what was actually said----must be actionable (clearly
state agreed action) and selective (only the important things should be noted and not all
the fluff in between) --- to formally record vital information.
If this agreement was accurate, important, vital information, and reflected what was actually said, why wasn't it already in the minutes of the meeting and why did you have to come back a month and a half later and vote to include it as part of the board minutes of a meeting where he tendered his resignation. I would think that is vital information and that is why I think this is just a "cover your ass" move. I don't think the settlement agreement ever came about until all this became public and all the bad publicity.
According to last weeks Rhino that may be the case.
The legality of this whole deal is now in question as it is believed now that it was never voted on by the Health Board. According to one Health Board member there was never a vote in closed session. According to the media there was no open session public vote outside the purview of the press. Any way the agreement was signed putting the taxpayers on the hook for the $63,000.
Or are they??
Public officials in North Carolina who give away government assets face personal liability for those assets.
Since this agreement was signed without a vote of the board the person that signed the agreement is personally liable for the money paid out and also the cost of any benefits paid out. Personally if the person that signed the agreement is held responsible, I think they all should be just because of the cavalier, in your face, we don't have to tell you shit about what we do with your money attitude that these people have. It would do my heart good to see 'em all have to keep up 'ole Dr. K for six mos.
Now I see the News & Record wanting to blast Steve Arnold for wanting to remove these board members saying it might cause more "problems" than it "solves". I sure don't see how the hell that could happen. We got a truckload of problems now.
They also say that Arnold and his fellow commissioners ought to ask tough questions about the Krishnaraj matter. But they should do so with an eye toward a resolution, not a revolution.
I agree the commissionersought to ask tough questions, with the exception of Bruce Davis.(Him being on the Health Board he is part of the problem)
But it may take a revolution to get a resoulution.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Road Trip--- Why Not Greensboro??
Took a road trip down to the Blue Bayou in Hillsborough last night to see W. C. Handy award winner Big Bill Morganfield. Big Bill is the son of McKinley Morganfield, aka "Muddy Waters".
The Bayou was packed, the drinks were flowing, and Big Bill and the band provided two sets of blues that had the crowd dancing in the aisles.
Big Bill has created his own style but you can also see a lot of influence from his father. On a couple of the songs it was so eerie because he sounded so much like his father, you would've swore Muddy was up there singing. The blues "is in Big Bill's blood".
Next up at the Bayou is 2004 Blues Guitarist of the Year, Michael Burks. Take it from me this is a show you don't want to miss. He is awesome. Friday January, 14 2005.
Now for my rant:
Why not Greensboro???
I (we) have been driving to Hillsborough, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem every week-end to see national act blues bands. We are going to Blue Bayou, Double Door, and Rubber Soul to see bands such as Ronnie Baker Brooks, Tinsley Ellis, Guitar Shorty, Michael Burks and Jimmy Thackery.
I know there are places in Greensboro such as the Wild Magnolia, Fishers, and Plum Krazys that bring in the local blues acts that we go see, but isn't there SOMEBODY out there that could get a national act to our town someday?? Or are we satisfied with the nitelife we have (or lack of it)??
Maybe you'll say it's because nobody supports the blues in Greensboro. I don't think that's the case because every time I go out to see one of the bands at these bars there is always a good crowd, and a national act would only draw a better one.
End of rant.
The Bayou was packed, the drinks were flowing, and Big Bill and the band provided two sets of blues that had the crowd dancing in the aisles.
Big Bill has created his own style but you can also see a lot of influence from his father. On a couple of the songs it was so eerie because he sounded so much like his father, you would've swore Muddy was up there singing. The blues "is in Big Bill's blood".
Next up at the Bayou is 2004 Blues Guitarist of the Year, Michael Burks. Take it from me this is a show you don't want to miss. He is awesome. Friday January, 14 2005.
Now for my rant:
Why not Greensboro???
I (we) have been driving to Hillsborough, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem every week-end to see national act blues bands. We are going to Blue Bayou, Double Door, and Rubber Soul to see bands such as Ronnie Baker Brooks, Tinsley Ellis, Guitar Shorty, Michael Burks and Jimmy Thackery.
I know there are places in Greensboro such as the Wild Magnolia, Fishers, and Plum Krazys that bring in the local blues acts that we go see, but isn't there SOMEBODY out there that could get a national act to our town someday?? Or are we satisfied with the nitelife we have (or lack of it)??
Maybe you'll say it's because nobody supports the blues in Greensboro. I don't think that's the case because every time I go out to see one of the bands at these bars there is always a good crowd, and a national act would only draw a better one.
End of rant.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Randolph Seeks Lake Access Points
It looks like Randolph County has already picked their sites for boat access to the new Randleman Lake.
Since access to the lake for recreational purposes will be heavily restricted because of the reservoir's primary purpose as a drinking water supply for Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, they have to petition the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the N.C. Division of Water Quality to amend the permit to allow the access.
Guilford County county will also have to do this because they are planning to build a park at the north end of the lake and are also seeking access at that site.
Frankly, I can't see why anybody would want access to a 3,000 acre cesspool.
I know. I know. You're saying they passed all the required environmental impact statements and water quality studies.
You have a 163 acre Seaboard Chemical contaminated "superfund" site sitting on the bank of the Deep River that is going to be feeding this lake. Tetra Tech, Inc. did the study, said the water quality was acceptable for a public water supply. Do they live here? Are they going to drink it? Do they even know what kind of chemicals have been dumped at this site that are now leaking into the groundwater?
You have a now closed city landfill on the bank of the Deep River. Who knows what has been dumped here over 20 or 30 years that is now leaking into the groundwater and into the river. Black and Veatch, Inc. did a study. Said water quality and quantity acceptable for public use. Do they live here? Are they going to drink it?
Then you have the sewage treatment plant. I don't know how many gallons they treat a day but it all goes in Deep River and will end up in Randleman Lake. If you ever ride down I-85 during the summer, 95 outside, southbound, cross Deep River bridge, DAMN whats that smell!, then you know what I'm talking about. Much less having to drink it. It's like having a boil and popping it open. EEEEEWWWWWWW!!! Smells like shit.
All these water quality permits and studies and studiors don't mean a damn thing to me. I'm to old for it to make a difference to me. What I'm worried about are my grandkids (when I have some) drinking and playing in this so called "safe water". You can't tell me this water is going to be safe by diluting it with the fresh water that is coming downstream. I'll give you an example. I'm sitting here imbibing now. If I mix my Crown and 7 weaker by diluting my Crown with more 7-Up, It may take longer but I'm still gonna get drunk.
Same with the water---may take longer----but the're still gonna get sick. Remember Lipitor, Zocor, Vioxx---it was safe too!!
Since access to the lake for recreational purposes will be heavily restricted because of the reservoir's primary purpose as a drinking water supply for Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, they have to petition the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the N.C. Division of Water Quality to amend the permit to allow the access.
Guilford County county will also have to do this because they are planning to build a park at the north end of the lake and are also seeking access at that site.
Frankly, I can't see why anybody would want access to a 3,000 acre cesspool.
I know. I know. You're saying they passed all the required environmental impact statements and water quality studies.
You have a 163 acre Seaboard Chemical contaminated "superfund" site sitting on the bank of the Deep River that is going to be feeding this lake. Tetra Tech, Inc. did the study, said the water quality was acceptable for a public water supply. Do they live here? Are they going to drink it? Do they even know what kind of chemicals have been dumped at this site that are now leaking into the groundwater?
You have a now closed city landfill on the bank of the Deep River. Who knows what has been dumped here over 20 or 30 years that is now leaking into the groundwater and into the river. Black and Veatch, Inc. did a study. Said water quality and quantity acceptable for public use. Do they live here? Are they going to drink it?
Then you have the sewage treatment plant. I don't know how many gallons they treat a day but it all goes in Deep River and will end up in Randleman Lake. If you ever ride down I-85 during the summer, 95 outside, southbound, cross Deep River bridge, DAMN whats that smell!, then you know what I'm talking about. Much less having to drink it. It's like having a boil and popping it open. EEEEEWWWWWWW!!! Smells like shit.
All these water quality permits and studies and studiors don't mean a damn thing to me. I'm to old for it to make a difference to me. What I'm worried about are my grandkids (when I have some) drinking and playing in this so called "safe water". You can't tell me this water is going to be safe by diluting it with the fresh water that is coming downstream. I'll give you an example. I'm sitting here imbibing now. If I mix my Crown and 7 weaker by diluting my Crown with more 7-Up, It may take longer but I'm still gonna get drunk.
Same with the water---may take longer----but the're still gonna get sick. Remember Lipitor, Zocor, Vioxx---it was safe too!!
Monday, January 03, 2005
The End
Today marks the end of a well deserved, and the last ever, 15 day vacation. It's back to the old grind tomorrow.
It will also be like starting a new job as we go from working rotating 12 hr shifts back to a five day, 8 hr shift.
Sure gonna miss those 7 days off every other week.
Leave it to the "Big Wigs" in the corporate world to screw up a good thing.
Go from 3 on, 1 off, 3 on, 7 off,--------> to 5 days a week.
It will also be like starting a new job as we go from working rotating 12 hr shifts back to a five day, 8 hr shift.
Sure gonna miss those 7 days off every other week.
Leave it to the "Big Wigs" in the corporate world to screw up a good thing.
Go from 3 on, 1 off, 3 on, 7 off,--------> to 5 days a week.
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