A request from a constituent-me!

E-mail sent to my Muskegon county commissioner:

Dear commissioner Scolnik,

About a month ago, I hand delivered my application to Heath Kaplan, director of Finance and Management Services in hopes of being appointed to the "Citizens Review Committee/Jail and Juvenile Transition Center - 11 slots, public".

Heath assured me he would pass my application on to you.

Since that time, other citizens have told me they have been contacted by their county commissioners either by phone or by mailed questionnaires.

I have yet to hear from you and, as the final appointment date is approaching, I wanted to make sure you had received my application and ask if you need any more information from me about my qualifications for appointment.

As you are well aware, I attend (and video) most county commission meetings and most special meetings focusing on the "jail" issue.

I have studied how other counties have addressed jail and finance issues in great detail and my multiple decades of experience in municipal finance as a financial advisor and branch manager should add a solid financial element to the citizens committee.

I also believe that complete transparency and the interests of the citizenry should be paramount.

As I was not notified by you nor invited to last week's meeting that discussed the new jail location and am aware the date for final appointment to the committee is next week, I am disheartened not to have heard from you.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Jim Riley

Muskegon County floats $2 million loan to Brookhaven in accounting move

Muskegon County floats $2 million loan to Brookhaven in accounting move | MLive.com
County Commissioner John Snider, the board’s vice chairman, said the loan will “clean up our balance sheet,” voicing his support for the proposal.
“This is being more transparent than it’s ever been,” Hammersley said of the concerns raised about the loan.

Sadly, Hammersley is right.
Bummer for the taxpayers.

Muskegon County sued by talk-radio host alleging Open Meetings Act violation

Muskegon County sued by talk-radio host alleging Open Meetings Act violation | MLive.com
Muskegon County government is being sued by one of its most ardent critics based on allegations that the County Board of Commissioners illegally had a closed session meeting to keep discussions about a controversial loan secret.
James Riley, a local talk-radio host who has criticized the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners on many occasions involving financial matters, filed a lawsuit against the board alleging violations of the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

Romney cites ‘vast left wing conspiracy’

Romney cites ‘vast left wing conspiracy’ – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs
"There will be an effort by the quote vast left wing conspiracy to work together to put out their message and to attack me," Romney said in response.
"They're going to do everything they can to divert from the message people care about, which is a growing economy that creates more jobs and rising incomes.
That's what people care about."

Fired GSA official: planned to pay for party

Fired GSA official: planned to pay for party - Yahoo! News
A fired General Services Administration official says he didn't know taxpayers would be billed $1,960 for a party in his luxury suite at a Las Vegas resort.

Food's Biggest Scam: The Great Kobe Beef Lie

Food's Biggest Scam: The Great Kobe Beef Lie - Forbes
This matters because the reason food lovers and expense account diners want Kobe beef, and are willing to pay a huge premium for it, is because of the real Kobe’s longstanding reputation for excellence.
The con the US food industry is running is leading you to believe that what you are paying huge dollars for – like the $40 NYC “Kobe” burger – is somehow linked to this heritage of excellence.
It’s not.

Readers debate whether corporations are 'evil,' and whether they should pay more taxes to fund schools

Readers debate whether corporations are 'evil,' and whether they should pay more taxes to fund schools | MLive.com
Reader ableroone seems to lean to the left and is a thoughtful poster.
Addressing another reader, he said “Someday you will wake up and see just how evil those corporations truly are.”
That sparked my curiosity. I asked him to explain, and he kindly replied.

"seems to lean to the left and is a thoughtful poster"???????

Defensive Gun Uses Save the U.S. One Trillion Dollars Per Year

Defensive Gun Uses Save the U.S. One Trillion Dollars Per Year | The Truth About Guns

Milledgeville Police Handcuff 6-Year-Old Girl for Misbehaving at School

Milledgeville Police Handcuff 6-Year-Old Girl for Misbehaving at School | 13wmaz.com
"Our policy is that any detainee transported to our station in a patrol vehicle is to be handcuffed in the back.
There is no age discrimination on that rule," said Milledgeville Chief of Police Dray Swicord.
They took the child to the police station where she was charged with simple assault and damage to property.
Because of her age, she will not have to go to court.

Rick Snyder signs law repealing motorcycle helmet requirement

Rick Snyder signs law repealing motorcycle helmet requirement | MLive.com
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed into law a bill that would allow motorcycle operators 21 or older to ride without a helmet, his office said today.

Michigan government unleashes armed raids on small pig farmers, forces farmer to shoot all his own pigs

NaturalNews exclusive: Michigan government unleashes armed raids on small pig farmers, forces farmer to shoot all his own pigs
Michigan Department of Natural Resources has, in total violation of the Fourth Amendment, conducted two armed raids on pig farmers in that state, one in Kalkaska County at Fife Lake and another in Cheboygan County.
Staging raids involving six vehicles and ten armed men, DNA conducted unconstitutional, illegal and arguably criminal armed raids on these two farms with the intent of shooting all the farmers' pigs under a bizarre new "Invasive Species Order" (ISO) that has suddenly declared traditional livestock to be an invasive species.

Traffic to be rerouted near Frauenthal during symphony program

Traffic to be rerouted near Frauenthal during symphony program | MLive.com
MUSKEGON, MI -- Motorists are asked to avoid a central part of downtown Muskegon on Wednesday while a group of school children participate in a symphony program.
Muskegon Police officials are asking drivers to avoid the area of Third Street from Clay to Morris streets, and Western Avenue from Second to Fourth streets from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Over 4,000 area school children are expected to attend the symphony program that day.
The traffic circle will be closed as well.

Radio promo for this Sunday's show

Hi, This is Jim Riley, your host of Eye On Muskegon every Sunday morning from 8:30 to 10:00 and on the internet at eyeonmuskegon.com

Next Sunday is Earth Day.

We all love Mother Earth but some of us want others of us to love Mother Earth with more than just a big hug.

They want our money.

And they want government to collect it.

And spend it.

How's that working out?

This Sunday, Earth Day, EyeOnMuskegon will look at how your enviro dollars are being spent right here in Muskegon on NewsTalk 1090 WKBZ, the Talk of Muskegon.

Lake Express and GVSU water institute team up May 5 to celebrate Lake Michigan

Lake Express and GVSU water institute team up May 5 to celebrate Lake Michigan | MLive.com
The cost of the two special Lake Michigan excursions is $12 per person with those ages 4-11 $8 and those under 3 free.
All ticket proceeds go to the Annis Water Resources Institute.

EyeOnMuskegon 4-15-2012

Snarl of tax code complicates fees preparers charge

Susan Tompor: Snarl of tax code complicates fees preparers charge | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
On average, Michigan taxpayers paid $215 last year for the preparation of a federal 1040 with itemized deductions on a Schedule A and a state return, according to the National Society of Accountants.

YOU HAVEN'T LIVED HERE UNTIL ... YOU PAY MICHIGAN INCOME TAXES

YOU HAVEN'T LIVED HERE UNTIL ... YOU PAY MICHIGAN INCOME TAXES | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
DON'T SOME MUNICIPALITIES LEVY INCOME TAXES, TOO?
Yes, 22 of them:
Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Pontiac, Port Huron, Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Battle Creek, Albion, Jackson, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Grayling, Big Rapids, Ionia, Lapeer, Springfield (Calhoun County), Portland,(Ionia County), Walker (Kent County) and Hudson (Lenawee County). Living or working in one of these communities doesn't affect your state income tax rate.

Statement on Tax Freedom Day

Wilson County News - Commentaries - Statement on Tax Freedom Day
Americans should also realize that federal government taxes aren’t enough to cover the federal budget. An additional $1.014 trillion is needed to pay for all of the obligations and that would put the real Tax Freedom Day at May 14.
That represents an additional 27 days of federal spending financed by borrowing.

Hidden debt extends true Tax Freedom Day through 2112

COMMENTARY: Hidden debt extends true Tax Freedom Day through 2112
This year Tax Freedom Day ironically is April 17, but the numbers crunchers at the foundation should be honest about which century.

Teachers union leaders call for corporations to pay more taxes, sending money to schools

Teachers union leaders call for corporations to pay more taxes, sending money to schools | MLive.com
Businesses should pay $1.5 trillion more in taxes over the next 10 years, with a chunk of the money added to school budgets, national teachers union leaders say.

Tax refunds being used to pay for bankruptcy filings

Tax refunds being used to pay for bankruptcy filings – USATODAY.com
More than 200,000 money-strapped households will use their tax refunds this year to pay for bankruptcy filing and legal fees, says a new study by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Bidens Donate 1.5 Percent of Income to Charity in 2011

Bidens Donate 1.5 Percent of Income to Charity in 2011 | The Weekly Standard
"Together, [the Bidens] reported adjusted gross income of $379,035.
The Bidens paid $87,900 in total federal tax for 2011.
They paid $13,843 in Delaware income tax and $3,614 in Virginia income tax.
 The Bidens contributed $5,540 to charity in 2011."

Obama Family Tax Shelter

Obama Family Tax Shelter | Washington Free Beacon
The Obamas paid a total federal tax rate of 20.5 percent on a gross adjusted income $789,674, which would typically fall within the top federal rate of 35 percent.
 According to an analysis of the president’s tax return, he may have paid a lower rate than his secretary despite making more than eight times as much money as she did.

Norton Avenue road work starts Monday between Henry Street, Davis Road

Norton Avenue road work starts Monday between Henry Street, Davis Road | MLive.com
The work is scheduled for completion by mid-July.

Ponzi update: Lapeer County among investors returning funds in case that cost Mona Shores

Ponzi update: Lapeer County among investors returning funds in case that cost Mona Shores | MLive.com
Mona Shores is by far the largest victim in the case, losing $3.7 million in voter-approved bond funds.

Secret Service dismissals "biggest scandal" for agency

Secret Service dismissals "biggest scandal" for agency - CBS News
"They don't have enough agents, they don't even put people through metal detectors sometimes because there's pressure to let everybody in," Kessler said.
 "It's like letting passengers in an airplane without putting them through metal detectors.
They don't keep up-to-date with the latest firearms.
They don't even do physical tests.
So, it's a culture that leads to this kind of problem."

Environmental Protection Agency fines school bus contractor almost $500,000 for ‘excessive idling’

Michelle Malkin » Environmental Protection Agency fines school bus contractor almost $500,000 for ‘excessive idling’
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforced nearly $500,000 in fines and mandatory “environmental projects” on a school bus contractor for “excessive idling,” and as part of its anti-idling campaign to reduce the carbon footprint of school buses waiting to pick up children for their routes.

Putting Nix to bed

Putting Nix to bed - LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe
"My old, old, old football coach, Buck Nystrom, once made a statement at a spring practice to me, ‘Son you don’t understand, discipline is the greatest form of love you can show someone.’
So today, I’m gonna tell him I love him.
And I’m gonna tell him that these guys are gonna help, the staff … and I’m gonna teach him that the world can be cruel.
A lot of people throw stones that if the tables were turned, I’d just ask you to remember this before you ask me questions:
Do you want me to treat him like a 6-9, 275-pound human being that just kind of walks and goes by himself or do you want me to treat him like I treat your son?
"You better think before you answer that.
Because I know how I’d want my son treated.
And he’s gonna make mistakes.
And I’m gonna have to deal with him. I don’t think there is one person in this room that hits the road on their son.
And when we make a commitment to a kid, we tell mom, we tell dad, you know give us the baton for four years and see if we can continue the process or make it even better.

I'm thinking every parent can relate to this wonderful man's comments.

Pension Reform Bigger School Fiscal Issue Than Education Budget

Commentary: Pension Reform Bigger School Fiscal Issue Than Education Budget [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Take Rockford Public Schools, for instance. Its annual financial report indicates that the projected increase in pension rates will have a larger impact on district finances than the proposed change in state revenue.
Based on salaries for 2011, the upcoming increase in pension contributions will cost the district $1.1 million, and pensions already cost roughly one out of every eight dollars the district spends

Potential Muskegon County Jail sites identified by real estate agency

Potential Muskegon County Jail sites identified by real estate agency | MLive.com
The committee, consisting of county officials, is charged with making recommendations to the County Board of Commissioners by July 30 as to the site, financing options and design for jail replacement.