Daylight Savings Time

I'm always confused when we're supposed to "Fall Back", but I didn't even know tonight was the night. I'm glad I went to supper with the Tignors -- else I'd have been up very early tomorrow.

I did arrive early at church one crisp October morning after forgetting to set back my clock. Yep, at 9:00, some of the old people are already sitting quietly in their Sunday School classrooms waiting -- for Jesus or to die, I guess. Before you say that perhaps they forgot to set back their clocks as well, know that they're there every Sunday at 9:00 -- not only on Sunday's following a time change.

It's 12:20 (after time set), and I'm tired.

Movies, TV, and 21st Century

I've only got a 15 year old "console" type television and a discount DVD player at my house. I don't even have a high-quality sound system... But...

My friend Justin built his own "TiVo" machine using software called "Show Shifter" -- we had a copy of XP Media Center at the office and we're going to try that now... You'd think, as high tech as I like to think I am that I'd have some sort of system for recording from television. Generally, if I can't catch it at the time of broadcast, I don't see it.

How soon will it be until traditional media is surpassed by on-demand content from the internet? I dunno.

Libby indictment - perjury?

So "Scooter" got fingered for his role in exposing a government agent -- justice will be done...

Not quite! No, Libby won't be charged for revealing the name -- he'll be charged with lying about revealing the name. This isn't the first time we've found our justice system more concerned with than with truth than with law.

It doesn't concern me, greatly, but I don't understand why the government would not seek the maximum charge possible in a case such as this. Perhaps there simply wasn't enough evidence, but, if this is the case, how can hope to make a perjury charge stick?

By the way, no one in this small town cares a wit about Libby and his supposed lies.

Zoning?

So, the city council voted Monday night (October 24) to modify the zoning ordinance of our town in such a way that our local grain company will be able to construct their new grain storage bins. For more than an hour, community members spoke both in favor of and against the change. I am somewhat disturbed by the fact that the planning commission and then the council have changed the entire zoning ordinance for what is basically one business, but....

The bins will cost more than $2 million -- which equates to about $16,000 in property taxes (coincidentally, the same amount needed to off-set the debt service for the construction of a new fire house). The grain company will continue to expand, they say, so in a few years their property tax could increase dramatically. Additionally, local ag producers are losing gobs of money.

The hitch now is that the council will probably modify the original amendment (amend the amendment) because the city planner recommends some minor changes. So, instead of only two readings, this amendment to an ordinance will receive three!

Several council members were threatened politically by citizens -- we'll just have to wait until next November to see how serious the threats were. Also, several citizens living near the site of the grain company's expansion have placed "for sale" signs in their front yards. Who knows now!

Onstar

I was talking with the local fire chief/administrator of the 911 dispatch center this evening -- he was telling me how impressed he was with the OnStar system. Apparently, someone recently was involved in a single car accident in the early morning (on an infrequently traveled road, of course). OnStar apparently called the 911 dispatch center with an approximate street address (based on GPS, I guess); the dispatch center called on a State Trooper and the lady, who had been knocked unconscious, was "rescued". Everyone standing around as the chief and I were talking was amazed and pleased.

What's so amazing about this? Except for the fact that the car "called for help" itself, the technology involved is that which should ALREADY have been implemented by wireless carriers. Yes, friends, the day should have already arrived when you dial 911 and the authorities are immediately aware of your exact location. I'm not being critical of the wireless carriers -- they're doing no less than expected in delaying the deployment of expensive equipment and handsets. If anyone deserves criticism (and I'm not certain anyone does), the government is the logical target. Already, they've folded to carriers time and again allowing them more time to deploy the needed technology.

Grain and dollars

A major point of dispute in our recent city council meetings has
centered over the request of several local farmers to modify the
zoning ordinance controlling the property where our local grain
processing facility resides. Basically, the farmers are losing money
beacuse the grain company hasn't been able to construct the storage
tangs necessary to offer "contract pricing" on the grain the famers
bring in. It's apparently cost local producers $625,000 in the last
two quarters or so.

This sounds like a reasonable request, but there is also a group of
citizens who oppose the construction of any new tanks at the site.
Their argument centers around environment and health concerns. Valid concerns, I should think.

The city council will vote on the issue on October 24. Both groups
have promised legal action (depending on how the council votes).

Building

Our small town is considering constructing a new "municipal" building. Basically, our firehouse is falling down around the fire equipment and without some work on that building, it will most certainly become uninhabitable this winder. Already the utility bills are astronomical, certain parts of the building have been closed as "unfit for occupation", and the firemen are generally displeased.

The grand plan would include housing for the municipal offices including police, fire, the mayor's office, etc. Realistically, we'd probably build a fire building first and then expand when funds are available. Like most municipalities, our town is very nearly "broke" -- sales tax receipts continue to fall (as businesses close or move to larger areas), property taxes, while increasing, can't keep up with expenses. We'll probably have to issue bonds to pay for any new construction. None of our legislators want to incur any long-term debt, but what can be done?

The city's "buildings, parks, and personnel" committee will meet tonight (Monday) to begin preliminary planning for this construction. It will be interesting to see what is discussed. Already, we've been told that construction costs will run $35-40 per square foot. This doesn't include site preparation or paving, of course, but only the construction of the building itself.

I absolutely hate introductions, but I suppose I should at least say what I plan to write about...

I'm located in a small town in West Tennessee -- very rural, nice, but small. One of my friends has said many times that we should write a book or produce a movie about life in our little hamlet. This is my attempt at recording our existence in this little town. I'm an elected official 'round these parts and a pretty prominent fellow. Hopefully, you'll get a taste of life here; hopefully, you'll learn to appreciate our way of life (and perhaps life in your city too).