"IS" ENDORSES GB

A touch back in time we were admonished for not endorsing Raleigh Issacs perpetual run for the gold...we thought we had. No mistake this time, IS endorses Glenn Beck in his attempt to keep Obama out of an additional presidential race. If you are not watching this 5 pm upstart on Fox Cable it's because you have a job. His anti-progressive-liberal-socialist formula will cause you to wonder how big his bodyguard is. His goal is quite simple: eliminate at least half of congress and make certain Obama will not make idiots of voters a second time. IS encourages comment defense of the current administrations handiwork with the economy, health care, and lower Public School kid brain washing. Let's hear from the Governor, for example.

FINALLY A SENSIBLE STIMULUS PACKAGE

Dear Mr. President: Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan: There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations: 1) They MUST retire.. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed. 2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed. 3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed. It can't get any easier than that! If more money is needed, have all members of Congress and their constituents pay their taxes... If you think this would work, please forward to everyone you know. From Petersburg Florida Times

SPSA DOOMED

Good old SPSA, under new management, is on its way out. They look a bit like a drowning man pleading for someone to throw a life preserver. And it could happen soon if they are bought out. Apparently a buyer does not necessarily honor the old contract that gives Suffolk free dumping privilege. So it appears that, without argument, Suffolk must acquiesce and ponder what we must individually pay to keep the streets clean. While $14 per month seems not so bad, it adds to $168 per year and for some that’s hard to swallow. Apparently that $168 covers what city fathers recently deduced was a user fee for large items. It is already obvious that determination was a boo-boo. (THE CITIZENS REVOLTED)And forget opting out of the new charge, they don’t want you dumping on your own property even if you have a thousand acres. They would also fear neighbors pooling their garbage. So it is just another tax and you are used to that.

The new Saturday hours are less convenient 8 to 12, used to be until 4 pm.

OBAMA STRIKES AGAIN

We can be sure our Police Department will find good ways to sop up up the $386,450 Federal Grant and already state a portion will buy a spanking new police boat. Lord knows we have plenty of water surface to watch over, scattered though it may be. But there may still be juridiction matters to conclude…three large lakes belong to Norfolk and another to Portsmouth. When there was more money around I could depend on seeing Norfolk cops drive by my dock on lake Western Branch…I was ticketed more than once. They were good guys but now they are gone and I wonder: “Who do you call” when I see a boat in distress. Once I was told to phone the Coast Guard but I figured it would be too expensive for them to fly in with that monster chopper. Will Suffolk brass allow Suffolk police on unowned lakes?

TOO MANY FALLING STARS

A great opinion article in the Suffolk News Herald Monday, September 23, by Grady Bryant provides a new perspective on local Public Schools and just how far behind our students could be because of our system. Plug in Suffolknewsherald.com and go to Opinion. Read it and be surprised.

DEB, YOU FORGOT SOMETHING

Debbie George had a great opinion piece in the SNH this morning pointing out the "not to be sniffed at" growth in our city, downtown and other locations. She cited projects requiring millions to upgrade facilities necessary to improving life in Suffolk and credited our City Council for its great thinking. She might have added thanks to the tax payers.

We are up to here with City new motto suggestions. We'd like someone to be serious; we just might please the committee with a good one, one that will last. Set aside your humor and tongue in cheek offerings. You could become famous.

WELL THAT FIGURES

City officials on Wednesday announced a preliminary surplus of an estimated $3 million to $5 million on the books as of June 30. The preliminary figure in the last fiscal year came as a result of saving on various expenses where feasible. “It didn’t come without a lot of hard work,” Mayor Linda T. Johnson said, praising city staff. The figure is the early estimate of an audit that will be completed in October, Finance Director Dale Walker told the city council on Wednesday. That figure, Walker said, is a snapshot of the city’s position on June 30. Council members almost immediately began thinking of ways to use the excess money.

SOUNDS VERY GOOD BUT HOW TOUGH IS IT

All of Suffolk’s public elementary, middle and high schools have been fully accredited under the state’s Standard of Learning guidelines, according to the Virginia Department of Education. Accreditation is awarded to schools that meet or exceed state objectives on Standards of Learning tests and other statewide assessments in the four core academic areas — English, math, history and science. At least 70 percent of students in middle and high schools must pass the SOL tests in order for their schools to be accredited. In elementary schools, 75 percent of students must pass their English SOLs; 70 percent must pass math, and grade-five history and science; and 50 percent must pass grade-three science and history tests.

Would this serve as an example of "dumbing down?"

JOIN THE BATTLE

I knew it would happen and finally a sizzling comment criticizing Inside Suffolk for deviating from the original stated position that our forum would be Suffolk city government. In so many words “get back to Suffolk problems and leave state and national subjects for others.” Sorry; but for now we have we decided that progressive liberals attempting to redistribute the wealth of our country in favor of the less ambitious citizens is at least as important to combat as reduced recycling, Taste of Suffolk, Christmas parades, and tricky Family Transfers. National issues are currently the most important local issue there can possibly be. You and your children's life style depend upon how awake you are as to what is happening right before your eyes, whether or not you are paying attention. If you are unaware of the dangerous changes being considered we strongly suggest you tune in immediately...your voice can be heard.

The Mayor Remembers Frank Batten

If you’re like me, you’ve never heard our mayor mention Frank Batten before this evening. At an opportune time during the Council Meeting, our mayor brought out the newspaper from last Friday and read to us. She wanted to expound on a quote by Mr. Batton where he provided some of the purposes of a paper. One of those stated . . . “a news report should never be influenced by the owner or a group . . .” Hmmmm, to whom is she referring?

BY NOW YOU KNOW

Mr. Obama is a very intellectual, charming individual. He is not to be underestimated. He is a cool customer who doesn't show his emotions. It's very hard to know what's behind the mask. The taking down of the Clinton dynasty by a political neophyte was an amazing accomplishment. The Clintons still do not understand what hit them. Obama was in the perfect place at the perfect time. Obama has political skills comparable to Reagan and Clinton. He has a way of making you think he's on your side, agreeing with your position, while doing the opposite. Pay no attention to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES! Obama has a ruthless quest for power. He did not come to Washington to make something out of himself, but rather to change everything, including dismantling capitalism. He can't be straightforward on his ambitions, as the public would not go along. He has a heavy hand, and wants to level the playing field with income redistribution and punishment to the achievers of society. He would like to model the USA to Great Britain or Canada. Charles Krauthammer

JUST SO YOU KNOW

Special collection refers to the removal of large bulky items and other items that are too large to fit in the container to include: appliances, furniture, mattresses, yard waste, debris, and boxes.
All residences within the City having public roadway access receive free collection for household refuse weekly. Instituting a fee for the collection of bulk refuse will assign the cost to the users rather than the entire population. The fees for Special Collections: (A) - 1 to 8 cubic yards = $20 (+ $3) (B) - 9 to 16 cubic yards = $50 (+ $5) (C) - Evictions = $100 (+ $7)
The cost for the service must be paid for in advance. Residents who desire bulk collection may call the Sanitation Office at 514-7630 & may pay in several ways: - Pay in person at one of the City Treasurer’s offices (441 Market Street or the North Suffolk Library) - By calling the City Treasurer’s office at 514-4275; a convenience fee of $3 to $7 will apply for residents who desire to pay using a credit/ debit card - By mailing payment to the City Treasurer, P. O. Box 1583, Suffolk, VA 23439 (PLEASE PUT DISPOSAL # ON CHECK) Residents need to pay for the service a minimum of 48 hours prior to their regular refuse collection day.

Letter to Pelosi

Read this letter to Nancy Pelosi from a businessman and veteran. Thanks to Bob for sharing this with us all.

And another from a local man who was in D.C. on September 12th.

MAYBE REPLACE THE JAZZ CLUB WITH ONE

More than 60 Cradock residents and other concerned citizens (Portsmouth) turned out for the civic league meeting where Whitney Saunders, attorney representing Paper Moon, presented his client’s plans. Paper Moon places a strong emphasis on security and maintaining a controlled and attractive environment meant to draw a “higher quality” of clientele, Saunders said.
He explained that dancers would be clad in outfits “like bikinis” and “always within view,” meaning there would be no closed rooms for patrons to meet with dancers privately. After pointed questioning, Saunders acknowledged that lap and pole dancing would take place.
Patrons as young as 18 would be admitted to the club, but only those 21 or older would be served alcohol. From an article in the Pilot

HERE WE GO

SPSA, the regional trash agency, has decided to end all of its recycling programs after 21 years of service, citing a desire to cut costs, save money and reform itself into a leaner organization.
Bucky Taylor, executive director of the Southeastern Public Service Authority, which serves eight cities and counties, said Friday that he expects to stop curbside collections and close drop-off centers by early next year. About 30 employees will lose their jobs, Taylor said, and SPSA intends to sell all of its recycling trucks, carts, bins, equipment and property related to the environmental program. Annual savings should eclipse $2 million, he said. Taylor said he did not view the move as a step backward for recycling in South Hampton Roads, saying cities and counties will be free to sign contracts with private companies to do the same job SPSA has done since 1988.

From the Pilot

IT MAY BE NOTHING BUT WHAT IF

Big news in the Pilot this morning…suspicious goings on in the Family Transfer business. The investigation of a few cases of possible illegal transfers may involve the law firm of Jesse Johnson. One of his partners is Councilman Jeff Gardy. This would be an embarrassment to the Mayor and Suffolk. Let’s hope this dust up will amount to nothing more than misunderstandings. A good case for openness and transparency.

Read the story in the Virginian Pilot.

SO WHAT WILL SAVE US THIS TIME

Obama patterns himself after Franklin D. Roosevelt and tries to do as his hero did to get us out of the depression. We who suffered through the thirties thought Roosevelt’s financial maneuvers were on the mark because we knew less than he did about how to solve it. As it turned out his financial magic was a disaster. In 1929 the U.S. unemployment rate was the lowest in the world. In 1932 at the low point of the depression nearly 30 percent of the work force was unemployed. But by 1938, after two terms (8 years) of Roosevelt's destructive programs the unemployment rate was still 25 percent. We can give him credit for realizing Hitler was evil, and gearing us up for a war that may have saved the world.

It was the war that got us out of the depression.

NEW KING'S KIDS SITE OPENS

King’s Kids of America just cut the ribbon for its seventh Suffolk location. The program objective is to help teach young people from 4 to 23 years of age how to make decisions that will keep them out of trouble and make them productive members of society. They meet weekly for an hour at each of seven different sites throughout the southern part of Suffolk learning a variety of topics, ranging from the significance of various holidays, etiquette, health, safety and leadership skills, topics not often taught in schools and often neglected by parents including personal responsibility. Twenty years ago, Bishop Obadiah Colander, who was then the pastor of Faith Temple Ministries Apostolic Church, started the program to help Suffolk’s children and teens learn to make good decisions that would help them stay out of trouble and what it takes to live and survive. The organization now serves more than 275 children around the city.
“There are a lot of negative influences out there, and this is one of the positive influences,” said Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney C. Phillips “Phil” Ferguson. More important he added that he couldn’t remember having seen many of the program’s active participants wind up in a Suffolk criminal court. Hats off to Betty Knight, the programs volunteer Director.

IS THE WORST YET TO COME

The following is from a formal nationsl association newsletter for City Managers, that is widely read:

" Cities Face Declining Revenues."

The Wall Street Journal (9/1, A5, Eaton) reports, "The recession is finally hitting city budgets, with overall city revenues inching down in fiscal 2009 for the first time since 2002, according to a report to be released Tuesday by the National League of Cities." The decline in revenues is attributed to "weak growth in property taxes," and "sharp declines in other sources of income, including sales taxes, income taxes and state aid." Across the country "city revenues declined by 0.4%, even as expenses rose 2.5%, and city officials expect steep drops in tax collections in the next two years, making for the worst outlook in the 24 years the group has been surveying its members." Also, "two-thirds of the cities reported hiring freezes or layoffs. Almost as many cities said they were postponing big construction projects." In addition, "a quarter of the cities said they raised property tax rates," and "45% -- raised fees on everything from garbage collection to overdue library books."
The AP (9/1, Fouhy) reports, "The economic downturn has taken a toll on U.S. cities, forcing them to slash jobs, raise taxes and fees and limit hours of operation at libraries, zoos, parks and other popular facilities." Also according to the study, "about half of all cities maintained or even increased spending on public safety."

What could the next city budget look like and what actions or changes could our Mayor and City Council demand as a result? Higher tax rates? Higher fees? More cuts? Or most likely all of the above... The past "salad days" are over for local government with the fruits of higher income from assessments rising and a good economy. Now it is hard to lead and who leads will determine what is done. I only hope that they keep in mind that real people have to pay for their decisions. Then there is the question of who is going to get what, and that will most surely divide us even more!

Roger A. Leonard, MPA