Yeah, it's good window dressin'. Might save us tax payers a dollar or two. Not much tho.

They will still come away with ways to raise taxes on rainfall and the length of ones driveway.

Just got thru yesterday writing the Tax Commissioner a check a few dollars short of 9K for just living here and owning a couple pieces of property.

So our elected officials are once again telling us the taxpayers, that their critical thinking functions better on retreat all the while lining the coffers of some other county, perhaps they missed their calling in life and should have found a job on the Emerald Princess.

I'm in full agreement with JimmyMack, window dressing, eyewash, whatever you wish to call it, since it isn't their money that they are spending, what incentive do they have to be thrifty?!?!

Yes it is just PR to placate the unwashed masses. To have to go out of town in order to do the job for which you are paid to do is outragous. What other employer would place an employee out of town in order to make sure they are not doing personal stuff on the company's time?

The piece in the Courier did not reveal the cost and I think if we were made aware of the total cost we'd be outraged.

Our county organ needs to dig a little deeper into these things and we on this electronic watchdog need to encourage that.

Actually, what I got out of it was that they were considering the pro's AND con's of going outside the county for these retreats. That's more than they've done before. They always relied on the stock reply: "you have to get out of town to get anything done." My recollection is that they pointed out in the article that there were several local places (one in Liberty County and one in Richmond Hill) where they could run the retreats/seminars. They also included costs. The article I read (a Courier editorial) is here:

http://coastalcourier.com/section/4/a...

I think this editorial might only be available to "paid subscribers," but to me it shows that the Courier has done a pretty good job of digging this time. I especially like the part at the end where the editorial reads:

"Given the community’s current fiscal outlook, it’s clear that holding the line is a requirement. As the details become finalized, we hope to see conservative minds prevail so more participants can weigh in on the obstacles and opportunities that face the county."

So a local "organ" actually hopes to "see conservative minds prevail" on something.

To this I say: BRAVO! It's a start....

Yea, I read it too Sebeorreeno. Not sure about the conservative part tho. As stated in a previous post of mine: I, Jimmy Darsey, a card carrying liberal Democrat voted, campaigned, put a sign in my yard etc... for a supposedly bonified fiscal conservative for a city council seat, Jason Floyd.

He I guess, cashed in his fiscal conservative credentials by saying he would have voted Yes to the recent tax increase. He was on his honeymoon when the Council voted but issued a statement saying Yes to an increase in taxes.

What's a liberal Dem like me supposed to do now?

Should I research honeymoons or just renew my bozo card?

I think if one is not in favor of "tax and spend" that makes them some sort of "fiscal conservative," doesn't it?

As for researching honeymoons - from his photo it does look like Mr. Floyd has a touch of Ralph Kramden.

But all seriousness aside, I do think our elected politicians have gotten "the message," but now that the milk is spilt there are (apparently) some things that can only be solved by raising taxes. But the key thing is whether they mend their ways and "go austere" in the future.

We all have to watch them carefully.

Nothing stirs the creative juices of an entrenched bureaucrat like the steam of a distant buffet.

Spot on, It is the bureaucrats who push for these things such as county retreats.

The elected officials just don't seem to be able to say no.

HuDhat1: AMEN!

HuDhat1: Just so ya know...I am gonna steal that coment for future use.

Well said.

LOL Hudhat1!

Quoting HuDat1;

"Nothing stirs the creative juices of an entrenched bureaucrat like the steam of a distant buffet."

I bow in your direction, your post says it all, your creative writing teacher is to be heartily congratulated for a job well done! :D

I personally like Sanford Townsend Band's explanation of what the eyes show.

Graeme245, I agree with you.

JimmyMack, there is a screen door here also.

Lord have mercy on my soul! Tot YOU DO have a sence of humor AND know your song lyrics!!! Sanford Townsend wrote some fantastic ones on Smoke From a Distant Fire.

Quite frankly I am amazed.

Now ifn you try to keep from bundling me up in your broad painting negative descriptive brush, we might can find some (maybe) common ground.

"fiscal conservative" part of me, made reference so by Sebe above. I think seeing the sheer ostentatiousness of their mansions and the voter be damned on a local basis, plus wanting to send a message of change, then you are correct Sebe.

I'm thinking ANY change is better than the status quo. Even the "sequestration" is starting to look good. The more I read about it, the more I see the "wisdom" they finally demonstrated by enacting the thing in the first place. Apparently, nobody in the federal government will do what is necessary for the good of the country (as in: majority - not "special interests" - rule) without a gun to their heads. For Congress and the President, "sequestration" is that gun.

Methinks we need some "sequestration" provisions for our local government. "Renaissance accolades" are great for a few tombstones and eulogies, but meanwhile those are crafted on the backs and via the pocketbooks of "the other 99.9%."

We need mo' fiscal conservatism 'round heah.

Ain't no fiscal conservatism round here in good old Liberty County. Economy in poor condition, housing market down, and property taxes go up on the residents because the powers that be can't seem to grasp that concept. Check out what your home in worth today as compared to a few years ago. Also, check the rate of unemployment in the county.