The first work week of the new year
This is it, everybody energised yet for the big slog? Not particularly enthused much in the news lately, I pick over the bones of local snippets and try to add some colour. For instance there is an interesting story here out of Campbellford that the lone bidder for the antique fire truck has had his bid rejected. The Mayor is leading the charge to refuse the bidder to claim his prize even though there are no other plans for it. One may conclude that perhaps there is a back story here, maybe the Mayor - King Hec. doesn't like the bidder!
The other topic bothering me is the situation in the Middle East. So everybody is down on Hamas because they refuse, on religious grounds to recognise Israel.and carry out acts of violence. They did win an election and were immediately shunned by the free world. After Hamas pumping rockets into Israel, the Israelis retaliated and invaded the Gaza Strip. So we now have a humanitarian disaster and a military stalemate. I say that because there will still be rockets fired during and after the invasion. What's the answer - I don't know but the situation is not helped by people taking a hard line on either side. In true Canadian fashion we may have the answer - street demos should replace bullets. Two sides of angry opponents separated by a security force allowed to shout at each other in public; an amazing spectacle.
Local politicians dazzled their constituents with Levee speeches and self-congratulatory moves. Mayor Delanty was quoted as speaking longer than normal. Perhaps he sees stuff that others don't. All I know is that if taxes go up a lot of people will be mightily upset. Let's all wait for the usual budget game - you know the one - a press release is issued saying that the staff wants a huge increase to fund all their pet projects. The budget chief retorts that we can't afford a big raise and proceeds to tell staff (behind closed doors) to get real. The DM then produces a budget that will be 1-2% more than the actual and proceed to get to the lower level by means of a couple of meetings designed to show that the process is working to help beleaguered taxpayers. Finally in a show of municipal muscle councillors will finalise the budget at a "marathon session". Fueled by chicken salad sandwiches and butter tarts the Council will vote on a reasonable budget. This year we should try to get it right in one go. Produce the last but one draft first and then have the sandwiches and vote on the final draft. It can be done in a month if the will is there.
Finally Minnesota may have a result in their Senatorial election. To the delight of the Dems and the disgust of the GOP the canvassing board may rule that Al Franken has won the seat. It is possible that the losers will appeal to the courts for more counting. As Tom Stoppard said, "Democracy isn't the voting but the counting!"
If you thought your holiday was boring take up with these guys
The other topic bothering me is the situation in the Middle East. So everybody is down on Hamas because they refuse, on religious grounds to recognise Israel.and carry out acts of violence. They did win an election and were immediately shunned by the free world. After Hamas pumping rockets into Israel, the Israelis retaliated and invaded the Gaza Strip. So we now have a humanitarian disaster and a military stalemate. I say that because there will still be rockets fired during and after the invasion. What's the answer - I don't know but the situation is not helped by people taking a hard line on either side. In true Canadian fashion we may have the answer - street demos should replace bullets. Two sides of angry opponents separated by a security force allowed to shout at each other in public; an amazing spectacle.
Local politicians dazzled their constituents with Levee speeches and self-congratulatory moves. Mayor Delanty was quoted as speaking longer than normal. Perhaps he sees stuff that others don't. All I know is that if taxes go up a lot of people will be mightily upset. Let's all wait for the usual budget game - you know the one - a press release is issued saying that the staff wants a huge increase to fund all their pet projects. The budget chief retorts that we can't afford a big raise and proceeds to tell staff (behind closed doors) to get real. The DM then produces a budget that will be 1-2% more than the actual and proceed to get to the lower level by means of a couple of meetings designed to show that the process is working to help beleaguered taxpayers. Finally in a show of municipal muscle councillors will finalise the budget at a "marathon session". Fueled by chicken salad sandwiches and butter tarts the Council will vote on a reasonable budget. This year we should try to get it right in one go. Produce the last but one draft first and then have the sandwiches and vote on the final draft. It can be done in a month if the will is there.
Finally Minnesota may have a result in their Senatorial election. To the delight of the Dems and the disgust of the GOP the canvassing board may rule that Al Franken has won the seat. It is possible that the losers will appeal to the courts for more counting. As Tom Stoppard said, "Democracy isn't the voting but the counting!"
If you thought your holiday was boring take up with these guys
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