District must cut spending or jobs
"Save money or save jobs -- that's the decision facing Muskegon school board members as they plan for the next school year.
Five jobs are on the line, which, if eliminated, would hurt children's education, said Muskegon Public Schools Superintendent Colin Armstrong"
Interesting.
Armstrong admits his move will "hurt children's education" but refuses to explore reducing the increases in teacher pay and benefits in order to save those jobs.
Maybe he's just not serious?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Heights hires new DDA chief
Heights hires new DDA chief
"A longtime Muskegon-area economic development official -- Norm Cunningham -- has been picked as the new director of Muskegon Heights' Downtown Development Authority.
Cunningham, 57, was selected by the city's DDA board last month. He started his new job last week. His $40,000 salary will be paid for through DDA funds.
'I'm excited about working with the DDA and city of Muskegon Heights,' Cunningham said. 'The potential here is unlimited."
"A longtime Muskegon-area economic development official -- Norm Cunningham -- has been picked as the new director of Muskegon Heights' Downtown Development Authority.
Cunningham, 57, was selected by the city's DDA board last month. He started his new job last week. His $40,000 salary will be paid for through DDA funds.
'I'm excited about working with the DDA and city of Muskegon Heights,' Cunningham said. 'The potential here is unlimited."
Norton taxpayers to foot bill for Henry St. bridge
Norton taxpayers to foot bill for Henry St. bridge"Norton Shores will not be getting help paying for repairs to a portion of Henry Street that eroded earlier this year after a storm drain burst and forced closure of a portion of the Merrill S. Bailey Bridge."
Gordo has a few questions:
1. This potential problem must have been foreseen. Who is/was responsible to check, occasionally, to see if the drain was free from debris?
2. Was there a policy in place to check drains and culverts for blockage?
3. Is there now a policy to check for drain/culvert blockage?
4. Who is now responsible for guaranteeing that this type of disaster will not reoccur?
Gordo has a few questions:
1. This potential problem must have been foreseen. Who is/was responsible to check, occasionally, to see if the drain was free from debris?
2. Was there a policy in place to check drains and culverts for blockage?
3. Is there now a policy to check for drain/culvert blockage?
4. Who is now responsible for guaranteeing that this type of disaster will not reoccur?
$1 million grant focuses on patient care
$1 million grant focuses on patient care
"If you're black and live in West Michigan, your risk of losing a leg to diabetes is five times greater than for white residents.
That statistic, released today, points out a glaring inequity in the area's medical system, a gap a national foundation and local leaders hope to fill with a new program aimed at improving health care for all area residents."
"If you're black and live in West Michigan, your risk of losing a leg to diabetes is five times greater than for white residents.
That statistic, released today, points out a glaring inequity in the area's medical system, a gap a national foundation and local leaders hope to fill with a new program aimed at improving health care for all area residents."
Construction decline hits municipalities
Construction decline hits municipalities
"Whitehall Township Supervisor Dennis Babcock said he wonders if the department needs to cut back on some of its costs, since the downturn is becoming a trend. He doesn't want this to become an annual payment."
What a concept!
"Whitehall Township Supervisor Dennis Babcock said he wonders if the department needs to cut back on some of its costs, since the downturn is becoming a trend. He doesn't want this to become an annual payment."
What a concept!
County to hire coordinator to cut jail crowds
County to hire coordinator to cut jail crowds
"Muskegon County commissioners kicked off a major effort to reduce chronic jail overcrowding Tuesday when they agreed to allow the county sheriff to create the position of 'jail population coordinator.'
And more help in the same area could be on its way soon, when the federal government releases more than $300,000 for the county to hire a special inmate screening staff that will work with the new coordinator to determine who belongs in jail and who doesn't."
Stupid Gordo!
I thought judges and juries made that decision.....
"Muskegon County commissioners kicked off a major effort to reduce chronic jail overcrowding Tuesday when they agreed to allow the county sheriff to create the position of 'jail population coordinator.'
And more help in the same area could be on its way soon, when the federal government releases more than $300,000 for the county to hire a special inmate screening staff that will work with the new coordinator to determine who belongs in jail and who doesn't."
Stupid Gordo!
I thought judges and juries made that decision.....
Standing Tall
Standing Tall
"'We are in a time, in Muskegon, of creating new things that will last for the ages,' said Chris McGuigan, president of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. 'We know today we are likely dedicating Muskegon's iconic structure, what the arch is to St. Louis or the Calder is to Grand Rapids.'"
The people who are spending Muskegon into bankruptcy are delusional!
"'We are in a time, in Muskegon, of creating new things that will last for the ages,' said Chris McGuigan, president of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. 'We know today we are likely dedicating Muskegon's iconic structure, what the arch is to St. Louis or the Calder is to Grand Rapids.'"
The people who are spending Muskegon into bankruptcy are delusional!
City bypasses bidding policy on road work
City bypasses bidding policy on road work
"The Muskegon City Commission this week bypassed its bidding policy, rejecting the lowest bidder -- and even the second-lowest bidder -- to give a street-paving project to Muskegon-based Jackson-Merkey Contractors."
The fix is in!
"The Muskegon City Commission this week bypassed its bidding policy, rejecting the lowest bidder -- and even the second-lowest bidder -- to give a street-paving project to Muskegon-based Jackson-Merkey Contractors."
The fix is in!
County buying land for man-made marsh
County buying land for man-made marsh
"The county is buying the property for $87,000 from David and Angela Eklund, who are expected to remain on the land for the next year, according to John Warner, the county's deputy director of public works.
It was the seventh parcel along the 8500, 8600 and 8700 blocks of Apple to be bought by the county for the wetland project. All the parcels have houses on them. Some will be demolished, while others will be sold and moved to other sites, Warner said.
The county has spent approximately $722,000 on land for the marsh thus far, and several more parcels will be needed, according to Warner. The money for the land is coming from the county's solid waste fund, he said."
The county is broke..... they say we need more taxes...... they tell us the budget is too lean for any more cuts......
"The county is buying the property for $87,000 from David and Angela Eklund, who are expected to remain on the land for the next year, according to John Warner, the county's deputy director of public works.
It was the seventh parcel along the 8500, 8600 and 8700 blocks of Apple to be bought by the county for the wetland project. All the parcels have houses on them. Some will be demolished, while others will be sold and moved to other sites, Warner said.
The county has spent approximately $722,000 on land for the marsh thus far, and several more parcels will be needed, according to Warner. The money for the land is coming from the county's solid waste fund, he said."
The county is broke..... they say we need more taxes...... they tell us the budget is too lean for any more cuts......
Multiple sites offer free meals for kids
Multiple sites offer free meals for kids
"There are no income guidelines for meal recipients of the Summer Feeding Program. Free breakfast and lunch are available to children 18 and under, or persons up to age 26 who are determined by the state or a local public agency to be mentally or physically handicapped."
Take a look at the enormous list of free food sites.
Why aren't we providing free dinners for the tots?
gimmee a break.....
"There are no income guidelines for meal recipients of the Summer Feeding Program. Free breakfast and lunch are available to children 18 and under, or persons up to age 26 who are determined by the state or a local public agency to be mentally or physically handicapped."
Take a look at the enormous list of free food sites.
Why aren't we providing free dinners for the tots?
gimmee a break.....
Montague school board to weigh proposed budget cuts
Montague school board to weigh proposed budget cuts
"Sipka is expected to recommend to the school board today some $420,000 in budget cuts, including teacher and paraprofessional positions. The proposed cuts are part of administrators' plan to eliminate a $750,000 shortfall from the 2006-07 budget."
Why are automatic increases in teacher pay and benefits not even discussed?
"Sipka is expected to recommend to the school board today some $420,000 in budget cuts, including teacher and paraprofessional positions. The proposed cuts are part of administrators' plan to eliminate a $750,000 shortfall from the 2006-07 budget."
Why are automatic increases in teacher pay and benefits not even discussed?
GH council supports study of transit system linking West Michigan cities
GH council supports study of transit system linking West Michigan cities
"The Grand Haven City Council is on board with a study of a regional transit system that would link Grand Haven, Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Holland.
The $110,000 West Michigan Transit Linkage Study, which will be paid through a Michigan Department of Transportation grant, is expected to begin this summer and be completed by fall."
Our state is broke....... and "studies" like this are a major reason.
"The Grand Haven City Council is on board with a study of a regional transit system that would link Grand Haven, Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Holland.
The $110,000 West Michigan Transit Linkage Study, which will be paid through a Michigan Department of Transportation grant, is expected to begin this summer and be completed by fall."
Our state is broke....... and "studies" like this are a major reason.
Monday, June 16, 2008
A U.N. Khan Job
A U.N. Khan Job: "Blueprints for a nuclear weapon compatible with the ballistic missiles of Iran, North Korea and other rogue states were found on computers of the notorious Khan smuggling ring. Will a complacent world wake up?"
Culpable Congress
Culpable Congress
"Prices: The big jump in the consumer price index on Friday scared a lot of people. But the sad fact is, much of inflation's recent rise is due to the upward spiral of energy prices. And guess whose fault that is?"
"Prices: The big jump in the consumer price index on Friday scared a lot of people. But the sad fact is, much of inflation's recent rise is due to the upward spiral of energy prices. And guess whose fault that is?"
Pre-war memory lapse.....
Instapundit.com -: "If Democrats wish to contend they were 'misled' into war, they should vent their spleen at the CIA.
In 2003, top Senate Democrats -- not just Rockefeller but also Carl Levin, Clinton, Kerry and others -- sounded just as alarmist."
click to see the video facts.
In 2003, top Senate Democrats -- not just Rockefeller but also Carl Levin, Clinton, Kerry and others -- sounded just as alarmist."
click to see the video facts.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
John Coleman vs Al Gore
John Coleman vs Al Gore
"Hello Al Gore; Hello UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Your science is flawed; your hypothesis is wrong; your data is manipulated. And, may I add, your scare tactics are deplorable. The Earth does not have a fever. Carbon dioxide does not cause significant global warming."
"Hello Al Gore; Hello UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Your science is flawed; your hypothesis is wrong; your data is manipulated. And, may I add, your scare tactics are deplorable. The Earth does not have a fever. Carbon dioxide does not cause significant global warming."
Saturday, June 14, 2008
American Murder Mystery
American Murder Mystery: "Why is crime rising in so many American cities? The answer implicates one of the most celebrated antipoverty programs of recent decades"
WaterMark plans film, TV studio
WaterMark plans film, TV studio
"The new Michigan financial incentives for filmmakers in the form of 42-percent refundable tax credits for film production costs is expected to bring the state $400 million in economic activity, WaterMark Studio officials said."
Something smells here.
Too bad The Chronicle has no curiosity about the "refundable" part of our tax credit offer.
"The new Michigan financial incentives for filmmakers in the form of 42-percent refundable tax credits for film production costs is expected to bring the state $400 million in economic activity, WaterMark Studio officials said."
Something smells here.
Too bad The Chronicle has no curiosity about the "refundable" part of our tax credit offer.
Friday, June 13, 2008
MSU hikes tuition nearly 7 percent
MSU hikes tuition nearly 7 percent
"Michigan State University's Board of Trustees has approved a 6.8 percent tuition increase for the 2008-09 school year.
The increase approved Friday will add $639 to tuition for in-state freshmen and sophomores. Tuition for out-of-state students will increase by 7.1 percent.
Freshmen taking a total of 30 credits and living in dorms will pay about $17,240 for the year.
Tuition and fees increased by 9.6 percent at Michigan State last fall when the average tuition increase at a Michigan public university was more than 10 percent."
Doesn't anyone wonder where all that money is going?
Isn't it time to take a close look at how our tax dollars are being spent?
"Michigan State University's Board of Trustees has approved a 6.8 percent tuition increase for the 2008-09 school year.
The increase approved Friday will add $639 to tuition for in-state freshmen and sophomores. Tuition for out-of-state students will increase by 7.1 percent.
Freshmen taking a total of 30 credits and living in dorms will pay about $17,240 for the year.
Tuition and fees increased by 9.6 percent at Michigan State last fall when the average tuition increase at a Michigan public university was more than 10 percent."
Doesn't anyone wonder where all that money is going?
Isn't it time to take a close look at how our tax dollars are being spent?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Robert Mugabe Militia Hacks, Burns Alive Opposition Leader's Wife
Robert Mugabe Militia Hacks, Burns Alive Opposition Leader's Wife
"The men who pulled up in three white pickup trucks were looking for Patson Chipiro, head of the Zimbabwean opposition party in Mhondoro district. His wife, Dadirai, told them he was in Harare but would be back later in the day, and the men departed.
An hour later they were back. They grabbed Dadirai Chipiro and chopped off one of her hands and both her feet. Then they threw her into her hut, locked the door and threw a petrol bomb through the window."
And the UN focuses on Guantanamo?
"The men who pulled up in three white pickup trucks were looking for Patson Chipiro, head of the Zimbabwean opposition party in Mhondoro district. His wife, Dadirai, told them he was in Harare but would be back later in the day, and the men departed.
An hour later they were back. They grabbed Dadirai Chipiro and chopped off one of her hands and both her feet. Then they threw her into her hut, locked the door and threw a petrol bomb through the window."
And the UN focuses on Guantanamo?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)