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!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
House Subcommittee Rejects Plan to Open U.S. Waters to More Oil Exploration
House Subcommittee Rejects Plan to Open U.S. Waters to More Oil Exploration
A House subcommittee on Wednesday rejected a Republican-led effort to open up more U.S. coastal waters to oil exploration.
Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., spearheaded the effort. His proposal would open up U.S. waters between 50 and 200 miles off shore for drilling. The first 50 miles off shore would be left alone.
But the plan failed Wednesday on a 9-6, party-line vote in a House appropriations subcommittee, which was considering the proposal as part of an Interior Department spending package."
A House subcommittee on Wednesday rejected a Republican-led effort to open up more U.S. coastal waters to oil exploration.
Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., spearheaded the effort. His proposal would open up U.S. waters between 50 and 200 miles off shore for drilling. The first 50 miles off shore would be left alone.
But the plan failed Wednesday on a 9-6, party-line vote in a House appropriations subcommittee, which was considering the proposal as part of an Interior Department spending package."
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Will Media Ask Questions on Obama's Pledge To Prosecute War Criminals? | NewsBusters.org
Will Media Ask Questions on Obama's Pledge To Prosecute War Criminals? NewsBusters.org
This is pretty serious stuff that the American public surely would like more details on. Can we expect the MSM to follow up on this with some questions? Probably not, but they need to.
Marc Ambinder notes how the Democratic Justice Department will be interested in making a case against senior Bush adminstration officials in the future.
Thomas Lifson reminds us of Obama’s take on this:
Barack Obama’s plan for imposing unity on the nation after he takes office apparently entails a close look at war crimes trials for Bush administration officials. He has even said so in an interview with Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Daily News.
This kind of change — putting your predecessors on trial for their conduct of policy — may not be what most Americans really want or expect from someone with Obama’s gauzy rhetoric of unity. But unity has a dark side in the hands of people who regard their opponents as criminals. America has two centuries-plus of history lacking the totalitarian practice of jailing the predecessors when a new president takes office.
This is the sort of proposal one might expect from a man steeped in Marxism at his church, from his friends like Ayers, and as a member of the Alinsky Left. But I am surprised he let this slip.
Obama:
Obama said that as president he would indeed ask his new Attorney General and his deputies to “immediately review the information that’s already there” and determine if an inquiry is warranted — but he also tread carefully on the issue, in line with his reputation for seeking to bridge the partisan divide. He worried that such a probe could be spun as “a partisan witch hunt.” However, he said that equation changes if there was willful criminality, because “nobody is above the law.”
This is pretty serious stuff that the American public surely would like more details on. Can we expect the MSM to follow up on this with some questions? Probably not, but they need to.
Marc Ambinder notes how the Democratic Justice Department will be interested in making a case against senior Bush adminstration officials in the future.
Thomas Lifson reminds us of Obama’s take on this:
Barack Obama’s plan for imposing unity on the nation after he takes office apparently entails a close look at war crimes trials for Bush administration officials. He has even said so in an interview with Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Daily News.
This kind of change — putting your predecessors on trial for their conduct of policy — may not be what most Americans really want or expect from someone with Obama’s gauzy rhetoric of unity. But unity has a dark side in the hands of people who regard their opponents as criminals. America has two centuries-plus of history lacking the totalitarian practice of jailing the predecessors when a new president takes office.
This is the sort of proposal one might expect from a man steeped in Marxism at his church, from his friends like Ayers, and as a member of the Alinsky Left. But I am surprised he let this slip.
Obama:
Obama said that as president he would indeed ask his new Attorney General and his deputies to “immediately review the information that’s already there” and determine if an inquiry is warranted — but he also tread carefully on the issue, in line with his reputation for seeking to bridge the partisan divide. He worried that such a probe could be spun as “a partisan witch hunt.” However, he said that equation changes if there was willful criminality, because “nobody is above the law.”
Cocky Ignorance::By Thomas Sowell
Cocky Ignorance::By Thomas Sowell
"All this sounds very plausible, as so many other things that Senator Obama says sound plausible. But, like so many of those other things, it will not stand up under scrutiny.
What has been widely publicized in the media is that suicides among American troops have gone up. What has not been widely publicized is that this higher suicide rate is still not as high as the suicide rate among demographically comparable civilians."
"All this sounds very plausible, as so many other things that Senator Obama says sound plausible. But, like so many of those other things, it will not stand up under scrutiny.
What has been widely publicized in the media is that suicides among American troops have gone up. What has not been widely publicized is that this higher suicide rate is still not as high as the suicide rate among demographically comparable civilians."
JunkScience.com -- Steven Milloy, Publisher
JunkScience.com -- Steven Milloy, Publisher
"Let's consider a few facts.
CO2 is a colorless and odorless gas in the atmosphere that is measured in parts per million, or ppm. The vast majority of CO2 emissions, about 97 percent, comes from Mother Nature.
CO2 is nowhere near the most important greenhouse gas; water vapor holds that distinction. An astounding 99.9 percent of Earth's greenhouse gas effect has nothing to do with manmade CO2 emissions.
If that's not enough, we can look at graphs of the historical relationship between carbon dioxide and global temperature. Ice core data going back 650,000 years show that global temperatures increase before CO2 levels. Data from the 20th century indicate no particular relationship between CO2 emissions and global temperature.
Finally, there is no scientific proof that the current level of atmospheric CO2 or that levels projected by the United Nations -- about 700 ppm by 2095 if no greenhouse gas regulations are put in place -- has or will cause any harm to the environment."
"Let's consider a few facts.
CO2 is a colorless and odorless gas in the atmosphere that is measured in parts per million, or ppm. The vast majority of CO2 emissions, about 97 percent, comes from Mother Nature.
CO2 is nowhere near the most important greenhouse gas; water vapor holds that distinction. An astounding 99.9 percent of Earth's greenhouse gas effect has nothing to do with manmade CO2 emissions.
If that's not enough, we can look at graphs of the historical relationship between carbon dioxide and global temperature. Ice core data going back 650,000 years show that global temperatures increase before CO2 levels. Data from the 20th century indicate no particular relationship between CO2 emissions and global temperature.
Finally, there is no scientific proof that the current level of atmospheric CO2 or that levels projected by the United Nations -- about 700 ppm by 2095 if no greenhouse gas regulations are put in place -- has or will cause any harm to the environment."
Monday, June 09, 2008
Mean To Teens
Mean To Teens: "When Democrats in Congress finagled a jump in the minimum wage last year, they crowed about their victory. Now Americans are finding out what it cost as the unemployment rate shoots up."
Bernanke: Danger of downturn appears to have faded
Bernanke: Danger of downturn appears to have faded:
"Despite a recent spike in the nation's unemployment rate, the danger that the economy has fallen into a 'substantial downturn' appears to have waned, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Monday."
"Despite a recent spike in the nation's unemployment rate, the danger that the economy has fallen into a 'substantial downturn' appears to have waned, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Monday."
'GMA' Features Professor Who Blames Greenhouse Gases for Current Heat Wave
'GMA' Features Professor Who Blames Greenhouse Gases for Current Heat Wave
"Ironically, in 1971, Schneider co-authored a research article that explored both warming and cooling of the Earth, warning that a certain level of aerosols entering the atmosphere could trigger an ice age."
"Ironically, in 1971, Schneider co-authored a research article that explored both warming and cooling of the Earth, warning that a certain level of aerosols entering the atmosphere could trigger an ice age."
FOX News Documentary Shows Congressmen Sent Millions in Earmarks to Their Own Families
FOX News Documentary Shows Congressmen Sent Millions in Earmarks to Their Own Families
"A number of U.S. congressmen and their families — including former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert — have personally profited from congressional earmarks they slipped into federal legislation, a FOX News documentary reveals.
The documentary, “Porked: Earmarks"
"A number of U.S. congressmen and their families — including former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert — have personally profited from congressional earmarks they slipped into federal legislation, a FOX News documentary reveals.
The documentary, “Porked: Earmarks"
Fred Hiatt - 'Bush Lied'? If Only It Were That Simple. - washingtonpost.com
Fred Hiatt - 'Bush Lied'? If Only It Were That Simple. - washingtonpost.com: "On Iraq's nuclear weapons program? The president's statements 'were generally substantiated by intelligence community estimates.'
On biological weapons, production capability and those infamous mobile laboratories? The president's statements 'were substantiated by intelligence information.'
On chemical weapons, then? 'Substantiated by intelligence information.'
On weapons of mass destruction overall (a separate section of the intelligence committee report)? 'Generally substantiated by intelligence information.' Delivery vehicles such as ballistic missiles? 'Generally substantiated by available intelligence.' Unmanned aerial vehicles that could be used to deliver WMDs? 'Generally substantiated by intelligence information.'"
On biological weapons, production capability and those infamous mobile laboratories? The president's statements 'were substantiated by intelligence information.'
On chemical weapons, then? 'Substantiated by intelligence information.'
On weapons of mass destruction overall (a separate section of the intelligence committee report)? 'Generally substantiated by intelligence information.' Delivery vehicles such as ballistic missiles? 'Generally substantiated by available intelligence.' Unmanned aerial vehicles that could be used to deliver WMDs? 'Generally substantiated by intelligence information.'"
lgf: At the Official Obama Site: 'How the Jewish Lobby Works'
lgf: At the Official Obama Site: 'How the Jewish Lobby Works': "Here’s yet another disgusting antisemitic page at the official Barack Obama campaign web site, by a group calling itself “Socialists for Obama.” This group of Jew-haters has apparently been at his site since April, and there are numerous comments from Obama supporters that are indistinguishable from the hate speech you’ll find at neo-Nazi sites: Barack Obama : : Change We Can Believe In Socialists for Obama: How the jewish lobby works.
There’s something deeply wrong with a presidential candidate who attracts so many of these hateful psychotics. Read the comments; you just won’t believe what is allowed to be posted at Barack Obama’s web site."
There’s something deeply wrong with a presidential candidate who attracts so many of these hateful psychotics. Read the comments; you just won’t believe what is allowed to be posted at Barack Obama’s web site."
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Obama’s New Advisor Stained by Clinton Pardon Scandal
Obama’s New Advisor Stained by Clinton Pardon Scandal
"Eric Holder, recently appointed by Barack Obama to his vice presidential search committee, played a leading role in one of the most infamous events of a presidency filled with infamy: the pardon of billionaire fugitive Marc Rich. Morris dubbed the decision to select Holder as Obama’s “first clear, serious mistake.”
Rich, of course, was the commodities trader who fled the country in 1983 to escape prosecution for tax evasion, racketeering, and trading with the enemy. Rich’s attorneys circumvented normal procedures, took the pardon to the White House attorneys, and gained pardon for their client, whose wife just happened to be a friend and major donor to the Clinton library, the Democratic Party, and Clinton’s legal defense fund. A firestorm ensued as did congressional investigations in which Democrats as well as Republicans excoriated the Clintons’ conduct."
"Eric Holder, recently appointed by Barack Obama to his vice presidential search committee, played a leading role in one of the most infamous events of a presidency filled with infamy: the pardon of billionaire fugitive Marc Rich. Morris dubbed the decision to select Holder as Obama’s “first clear, serious mistake.”
Rich, of course, was the commodities trader who fled the country in 1983 to escape prosecution for tax evasion, racketeering, and trading with the enemy. Rich’s attorneys circumvented normal procedures, took the pardon to the White House attorneys, and gained pardon for their client, whose wife just happened to be a friend and major donor to the Clinton library, the Democratic Party, and Clinton’s legal defense fund. A firestorm ensued as did congressional investigations in which Democrats as well as Republicans excoriated the Clintons’ conduct."
perpetual progress?
Instapundit.com -: "JOHN TIERNEY: Why not perpetual progress? 'Yes, there are physical limits to what can done with computer chips. But for a century now, each time computer engineers ran into previous physical limits — with the original electro-mechanical machines, with vacuum tubes, with transistors — they jumped to a new technology, and they’re already working on successors to today’s chips. It may seem naive to expect continuing leaps forward, but I think it’s naive to ignore the trend of the past century — or the past 10,000 years.'"
Lucianne.com News Forum
Lucianne.com News Forum: "Comments:
The ''problem'' with these drugs is that the NHS (which runs a yearly surplus) has judged them to be too expensive or too new to be judged as effective on a per capita basis. Think Ted Kennedy would like to travel to the UK for his cancer treatment instead of staying in the US? I don't know why he isn't over there now because that's the kind of healthcare system he repeatedly has been pushing."
The ''problem'' with these drugs is that the NHS (which runs a yearly surplus) has judged them to be too expensive or too new to be judged as effective on a per capita basis. Think Ted Kennedy would like to travel to the UK for his cancer treatment instead of staying in the US? I don't know why he isn't over there now because that's the kind of healthcare system he repeatedly has been pushing."
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