Tuesday, voters in my city voted whether or not to add a 1% tax to restaurant food purchases. Sixty-seven percent of voters said yes. Doesn't sound like a big deal, does it? It's only a penny. What the media and mayor's office didn't tell people was that the total tax on restaurant food purchases would now be 10% with this new tax. TEN PERCENT!!!!
State tax here is seven percent. Not too bad when you compare it to the state just north of us. A few years ago, the county added a 2% tourism (restaurant and hotel) tax to help pay off and upkeep a local arena. Then a few months ago, our mayor decided to seek a 1% additional tax on food to help finance upgrades to the park system, add new ball fields and other amenities. The total bill for all the projects is around $35 million. Part of the cost of this improvement plan will be covered by a federal grant of $6 million to go towards building two storm shelters. The rest of the remaining $29 million will come from the new tax.
According to the mayor and city officials, the bulk of this new tax (and the tourism tax) is not suppose to be carried by the residents of this city but by the tourists who come for the different tournaments hosted here each year. Their reasoning that the people who come to these tournaments and events are going to pay the bulk of the cost doesn't make sense to me. The Dizzy Dean World Series does bring in $3-6 million dollars of revenue every year. Softball, baseball and soccer tournaments also bring in money spent in our restaurants and hotels. I can't see all of these events bringing in enough money to where the residents of our fair city are relieved of most of the tax burden. Some maybe, but not most.
Now, after all the extra softball, baseball, and soccer fields, tennis courts, dog park, spray park, skate park and $5 million senior citizen center are completed and paid for, do you think this tax will be taken off the books? NO!! It will be used to pay for maintenance and other improvements of the parks system and take "the burden off of property taxes."
I understand the need for upgrades to the parks. One of the concerns is building new ball fields to help accommodate all the kids who have signed up for softball and baseball. Right now, some of the T-ball players are having to start games at 9 p.m. because of the lack of available fields. We had that problem with Will when he played baseball but, thanks to the good Lord, we didn't have that problem this year with either of the boys. Officials have tossed around the idea of limiting the number of sign-ups but then decided that wasn't going to work.
The city also wants to stay competitive by continuing to host regional tournaments. Cities like Oxford, MS and Jackson, TN are expanding their parks so our leaders want to make sure we can compete on a level playing field with them and others. I understand all this. If it was a temporary tax, I may not mind as much. I just don't like having to keep paying and paying with no end in sight. When my family and I decide to eat out, I guess we will have to choose a neighboring city, one where it won't cost us a fortune in taxes.
It still has to pass the legislature in January. If it does, it should go into affect sometime in July, 2011.
Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Baby Shower and Rants About A Car Dealer
Today, Melanie and I drove to Ripley together for our niece's baby shower while the kids were with Mike and Mom. Jessie is due any day with baby number 2. Riley, her first child, turned one year old on January 27th. The shower was fun. We got to see family we haven't seen in a while and get our baby fix with Riley. After everyone left, Melanie and I spent time with Dad and Joan talking. It was nice getting to hang out with Melanie today. We had a good time talking, laughing and having a good time.
If you are looking for a car, I don't know if I would recommend the place where we recently purchased ours. The night we bought ours, the dealership was not prepared at all. The ad we looked at online said the name of the dealership and the location. It didn't say there were at least two locations and the place listed was not where the car was located. So, the salesman we spoke with at the first place followed us to the other lot. We beat the salesman there and waited about 15-20 minutes for him to show up. (It only takes about 15-20 minutes to go from one dealership to the other.) While out on the test drive, the salesman told us that he had only been on the job one week and wasn't familiar with the area. Luckily, I knew the area pretty well and was able to get us around the neighborhood. After making our decision to purchase the car, we waited another 10 minutes for the salesman. He wanted us to fill out all this paperwork for financing that we didn't need (Mike had gotten his own financing through the credit union). After another 10 minutes or more, we are told we have to move to the third building to complete the rest of the paperwork. When we walk over (it was on the same lot), we are directed to a dark waiting area and sit for another 15-20 minutes. While we are sitting in the finance office, the finance person is pulling the paperwork we need to sign instead of having it ready. (Now, have I mentioned that NO ONE was there except salesmen? NO ONE!! No other customers were there AT ALL!!) Mike and I then spent the next 30 minutes filling out paperwork. Form after form was completed saying we weren't purchasing this option and that warranty, etc. While all this is going on, Mom was keeping the kids and called wanting to know when we would be home because she was tired. When we finally get the car, the gas gauge is sitting on empty. We had just enough gas to get home. We arrived at the first car lot just after 6 p.m. We left the last lot about 8:45 p.m. Most of that time we played the waiting game.
Oh, Mike was also told to bring the car back in the next day or so to get a new drive out tag and to get it cleaned. The tag they put on the car was for another vehicle. Mike was also told the car manual and key card (for the keyless entry) was in the glove box. When Mike looked for it the next day, it was not there. When Mike called the dealership about the missing manual, the manager we spoke to the night before told Mike he would have to go to a Ford dealer (the car is a Ford Taurus) and purchase another key card and we would not be reimbursed. The manager said the key card would be about $60 but he wasn't sure. Luckily, Mike was able to download the manual off the internet onto his computer.
Mike took the car in to get it serviced and cleaned this past week. The people that cleaned it put the temporary plastic back in the floorboard wet underneath. They took the empty gum wrappers that were in the console and put them in the glove box instead of the trash. Yes, I said the glove box.
A few days after we purchased the car, we got a call from the salesman saying they needed a copy of Mike's driver's license because they forgot to get it while we were there. Then, they called a few days after that asking for a copy of my license. Mike called and spoke to the Finance Manager about the shoddy job the finance people were doing. Come to find out, the finance person had only been there about a month. The FM agreed to help out and took over the job himself to complete the paperwork. He came out to the house to get the Saturn's car tag, have me sign a paper, get a copy of my driver's license and get our tags taken care of (this is something the dealers do now for the owners. Not sure yet if I like this.) If you want to know the name of the dealer, just ask. I would be happy to tell and strongly advise you to find another one. The only good thing I have to say about them is that we got a good deal on the car. A really good deal.
If you are looking for a car, I don't know if I would recommend the place where we recently purchased ours. The night we bought ours, the dealership was not prepared at all. The ad we looked at online said the name of the dealership and the location. It didn't say there were at least two locations and the place listed was not where the car was located. So, the salesman we spoke with at the first place followed us to the other lot. We beat the salesman there and waited about 15-20 minutes for him to show up. (It only takes about 15-20 minutes to go from one dealership to the other.) While out on the test drive, the salesman told us that he had only been on the job one week and wasn't familiar with the area. Luckily, I knew the area pretty well and was able to get us around the neighborhood. After making our decision to purchase the car, we waited another 10 minutes for the salesman. He wanted us to fill out all this paperwork for financing that we didn't need (Mike had gotten his own financing through the credit union). After another 10 minutes or more, we are told we have to move to the third building to complete the rest of the paperwork. When we walk over (it was on the same lot), we are directed to a dark waiting area and sit for another 15-20 minutes. While we are sitting in the finance office, the finance person is pulling the paperwork we need to sign instead of having it ready. (Now, have I mentioned that NO ONE was there except salesmen? NO ONE!! No other customers were there AT ALL!!) Mike and I then spent the next 30 minutes filling out paperwork. Form after form was completed saying we weren't purchasing this option and that warranty, etc. While all this is going on, Mom was keeping the kids and called wanting to know when we would be home because she was tired. When we finally get the car, the gas gauge is sitting on empty. We had just enough gas to get home. We arrived at the first car lot just after 6 p.m. We left the last lot about 8:45 p.m. Most of that time we played the waiting game.
Oh, Mike was also told to bring the car back in the next day or so to get a new drive out tag and to get it cleaned. The tag they put on the car was for another vehicle. Mike was also told the car manual and key card (for the keyless entry) was in the glove box. When Mike looked for it the next day, it was not there. When Mike called the dealership about the missing manual, the manager we spoke to the night before told Mike he would have to go to a Ford dealer (the car is a Ford Taurus) and purchase another key card and we would not be reimbursed. The manager said the key card would be about $60 but he wasn't sure. Luckily, Mike was able to download the manual off the internet onto his computer.
Mike took the car in to get it serviced and cleaned this past week. The people that cleaned it put the temporary plastic back in the floorboard wet underneath. They took the empty gum wrappers that were in the console and put them in the glove box instead of the trash. Yes, I said the glove box.
A few days after we purchased the car, we got a call from the salesman saying they needed a copy of Mike's driver's license because they forgot to get it while we were there. Then, they called a few days after that asking for a copy of my license. Mike called and spoke to the Finance Manager about the shoddy job the finance people were doing. Come to find out, the finance person had only been there about a month. The FM agreed to help out and took over the job himself to complete the paperwork. He came out to the house to get the Saturn's car tag, have me sign a paper, get a copy of my driver's license and get our tags taken care of (this is something the dealers do now for the owners. Not sure yet if I like this.) If you want to know the name of the dealer, just ask. I would be happy to tell and strongly advise you to find another one. The only good thing I have to say about them is that we got a good deal on the car. A really good deal.
Friday, October 9, 2009
So Many Things Running Through My Head
My head is awhirl with many different thoughts today:
1) Andrew's recent trip down the street by himself.
2) Will's recent actions at school.
3) The Beth Moore Conference tonight and tomorrow.
4) Everything I need to do around the house that is never-ending.
5) Obama's Nobel Peace Prize (WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!)
6) My next blog tour posting and the books I need to read for the next two.
7) End-times events
and on and on and on... I'll elaborate on a few of these.
Ever felt like, as a parent, you were failing miserably with your kids? That's the way I felt yesterday.
While my sister was inside talking to me after she came by to pick up her son, Andrew went out front with the other children. Melanie and I went out a few minutes later and asked where Andrew was. No one knew and he didn't answer or come when we called. Looking around while I was trying to keep from panicking, Nathan spot him down the road. Andrew had wandered about eight houses down and was in the middle of the road, still walking away from the house. Nathan went and got him and asked why he wandered off. Andrew wanted to pet a dog he thought was our next door neighbor's. The one he was after actually belongs down the street. Andrew got a firm talking to and a swat on the backside.
Will has been grounded for the last week because he cheated in school on a math test. Mrs. Scanlon said he was repentant and said he wouldn't do it again. Instead of giving him an F on his paper, she let him finish it away from the other children. Then, yesterday, he did something else that I will not elaborate on. Suffice it to say, he had to apologize to the Librarian and to Mrs. Scanlon this morning for his actions.
On the radio today while I was running errands, I heard that President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?! They said it was for his efforts in bringing peace to the world and his efforts towards the Muslims. If apologizing for America and saying we were wrong in everything we have done in the past (i.e. saving the Europeans and the rest of the world's posteriors on MANY occasions), bowing down to foreign leaders, and showing Americans disrespect for our Christian heritage and beliefs constitutes getting a Nobel Peace Prize, the Board needs to rethink their criteria.
1) Andrew's recent trip down the street by himself.
2) Will's recent actions at school.
3) The Beth Moore Conference tonight and tomorrow.
4) Everything I need to do around the house that is never-ending.
5) Obama's Nobel Peace Prize (WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!)
6) My next blog tour posting and the books I need to read for the next two.
7) End-times events
and on and on and on... I'll elaborate on a few of these.
Ever felt like, as a parent, you were failing miserably with your kids? That's the way I felt yesterday.
While my sister was inside talking to me after she came by to pick up her son, Andrew went out front with the other children. Melanie and I went out a few minutes later and asked where Andrew was. No one knew and he didn't answer or come when we called. Looking around while I was trying to keep from panicking, Nathan spot him down the road. Andrew had wandered about eight houses down and was in the middle of the road, still walking away from the house. Nathan went and got him and asked why he wandered off. Andrew wanted to pet a dog he thought was our next door neighbor's. The one he was after actually belongs down the street. Andrew got a firm talking to and a swat on the backside.
Will has been grounded for the last week because he cheated in school on a math test. Mrs. Scanlon said he was repentant and said he wouldn't do it again. Instead of giving him an F on his paper, she let him finish it away from the other children. Then, yesterday, he did something else that I will not elaborate on. Suffice it to say, he had to apologize to the Librarian and to Mrs. Scanlon this morning for his actions.
On the radio today while I was running errands, I heard that President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?! They said it was for his efforts in bringing peace to the world and his efforts towards the Muslims. If apologizing for America and saying we were wrong in everything we have done in the past (i.e. saving the Europeans and the rest of the world's posteriors on MANY occasions), bowing down to foreign leaders, and showing Americans disrespect for our Christian heritage and beliefs constitutes getting a Nobel Peace Prize, the Board needs to rethink their criteria.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Happenings Around Here and Rants
It has been raining A LOT around here. The weatherman last night said the total rainfall for September was 8.55 inches, six inches ABOVE NORMAL!!!! Soccer practices were cancelled last week and this week. The kids' soccer games were cancelled last Saturday and it looks like they may be cancelled this week too. The ground is just way to wet. There may be some relief in sight - Sunday is suppose to be sunny!! The rest of next week is forecasted to be sunny up until Thursday or Friday, but then only partly cloudy. As much as I love the rain, I am ready for the kids to be able to go outside and play. They've been couped up inside here at home and at school (they can't go out on the playground when it's wet) for too long.
This week I started back working out at the Y. They have a new incentive program called "America On The Move." The goal to to "walk" to all the local YMCAs. The total distance is 106 miles. If I do one mile on the elliptical, it counts as two. If I do a Spin class (cycling), I earn four miles for my efforts. Right now, I have gone nine miles total. I have three more to go to get to the first Y. Once you have completed the trip, you get a t-shirt. I have until November 22 or so to complete my "trip." Today, I went 1.5 miles in 51 minutes on the elliptical. I've been going one mile in about 34-36 minutes but decided to push it a little. Afterwards, I felt great and think next time I may try 2 miles. We'll see.
The members of Congress and other members of the US are aggravating me quite a bit. While working out today, I was watching Fox News. It was mentioned that the US is thinking about cutting almost 400 border patrol guards on the US/Mexican border. ALMOST 400!!!! What in the world are the people in charge thinking?!?!?! Why can't the people in power remember WHO it is they represent? Most Americans want the US/Mexico border patrols beefed up (along with the Canadian border, too). We don't mind people entering the United States, as long as they do it legally. I'm all for people to have a chance at a better life. That's the reason my ancestors came to the States. Just do it through the right channels.
Then, with all the talk of health care and the plan Congress wants to pass, it just makes my blood boil. I know the healthcare system here needs help. It's extremely sad when someone has a preexisting condition and are denied coverage because of it. But, tacking on all the PORK that has NOTHING to do with healthcare to the healthcare bill is a total waste of money that could be used for research or to cover the cost of patients. I have heard that Congress wants to design a healthcare system like the ones in England and Canada. What they aren't looking at is all the Canadians and British nationals that come to the US because they either can't get the care they need or it takes WAY TOO LONG to get help.
Situations like these two make me feel helpless, like my hands are tied. I have written my congressmen more in the last few months than I have in the entire time I've been able to vote. My prayers for this country feel like they are hitting the ceiling when I see what is happening (and not happening) in the nation's capitol. I plead with God help us and to show me (and the country) what we need to do but feel helpless. But, I AM NOT GIVING UP! I am still going to vote and make my voice heard. I plan to take advantage of this freedom guaranteed to me when possible. Most of all, I plan to keep praying and seeking God's direction and wisdom for myself and my country. GOD, not man, is the one who sets the rulers in place and can change their hearts to move the way He wants.
This week I started back working out at the Y. They have a new incentive program called "America On The Move." The goal to to "walk" to all the local YMCAs. The total distance is 106 miles. If I do one mile on the elliptical, it counts as two. If I do a Spin class (cycling), I earn four miles for my efforts. Right now, I have gone nine miles total. I have three more to go to get to the first Y. Once you have completed the trip, you get a t-shirt. I have until November 22 or so to complete my "trip." Today, I went 1.5 miles in 51 minutes on the elliptical. I've been going one mile in about 34-36 minutes but decided to push it a little. Afterwards, I felt great and think next time I may try 2 miles. We'll see.
The members of Congress and other members of the US are aggravating me quite a bit. While working out today, I was watching Fox News. It was mentioned that the US is thinking about cutting almost 400 border patrol guards on the US/Mexican border. ALMOST 400!!!! What in the world are the people in charge thinking?!?!?! Why can't the people in power remember WHO it is they represent? Most Americans want the US/Mexico border patrols beefed up (along with the Canadian border, too). We don't mind people entering the United States, as long as they do it legally. I'm all for people to have a chance at a better life. That's the reason my ancestors came to the States. Just do it through the right channels.
Then, with all the talk of health care and the plan Congress wants to pass, it just makes my blood boil. I know the healthcare system here needs help. It's extremely sad when someone has a preexisting condition and are denied coverage because of it. But, tacking on all the PORK that has NOTHING to do with healthcare to the healthcare bill is a total waste of money that could be used for research or to cover the cost of patients. I have heard that Congress wants to design a healthcare system like the ones in England and Canada. What they aren't looking at is all the Canadians and British nationals that come to the US because they either can't get the care they need or it takes WAY TOO LONG to get help.
Situations like these two make me feel helpless, like my hands are tied. I have written my congressmen more in the last few months than I have in the entire time I've been able to vote. My prayers for this country feel like they are hitting the ceiling when I see what is happening (and not happening) in the nation's capitol. I plead with God help us and to show me (and the country) what we need to do but feel helpless. But, I AM NOT GIVING UP! I am still going to vote and make my voice heard. I plan to take advantage of this freedom guaranteed to me when possible. Most of all, I plan to keep praying and seeking God's direction and wisdom for myself and my country. GOD, not man, is the one who sets the rulers in place and can change their hearts to move the way He wants.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Frustrated
There are two different reasons I am frustrated: AT&T and sunburns. This post will be me venting. I am not looking for any advice, just an opportunity to get this off my chest. If you choose not to read any farther, I will not be offended (btw, the rants will be clean, not filled with profanity).
I use three different e-mail addresses for different things I do. There is my gmail address for my blog and Facebook; one AT&T email for junk mail and subscriptions and a second AT&T for Mike and my personal use (don't laugh; Mike has three also: work, junk and home). AT&T and I have been going round and round regarding my junk mail address. Recently they made changes to their website and I have not been able to add the update due to unknown reasons [I think I know why; AT&T doesn't know why or won't admit to it (that's another long story)]. Because of this, for a while I was unable to access my junk mail account. After spending about 45 minutes on the phone with Tech Support, I was able to access my account. They gave me a temporary password and told me to try to change it a few days later due to some updating of their system. That was a week or two ago. I can access my e-mail but still can not change my temporary password to one I want. So, I called them back today and, 46 minutes later, nothing has changed. I still cannot change my temporary password. This Tech Support person suggested I try a different internet server, like Firefox. Since we only have Internet Explorer, I don't know what I will do. This is not the only time I have been frustrated with AT&T. They get my dander up quite often. Since we don't like any of the other phone company options available to us for different reasons, I guess we are stuck with them for a while.
My second rant is about sunburns. Mike and the boys make me jealous because they don't burn. Their dark complexions just gets darker. My fair complexion burns at the drop of the hat. A couple of weeks ago, our church had a picnic to raise money for the college kids' trip to Uruguay. Mike, I and the kids spent about an hour there after church eating and participating in the dunk tank (the kids wanted to dunk our pastor). We went home and I finished cleaning a bunch of big toys to give to my niece Jessie for her new baby, Riley. Dad and Joan came down and we all sat outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Guess who got sunburned? Me!! My upper back and the upper part of my chest got burnt, with the worse being my back. It has finally stopped being sore just a few days ago. (No, I did not have sunscreen on at the time. Yes, I know I should have; I just didn't think about it at the time.) Yesterday, the kids and I went to the Y for 1 1/2 hours to play in the outdoor pool (check yesterday's post.) Before we even left the house, I put sunscreen with a 50 spf on everyone, even myself with Hannah's help. Guess who got sunburned? ME!! I don't know what happened? I felt fine. Then, when I was changing clothes for our Women's Board Appreciation Dinner, I noticed the redness. My whole back, shoulders and upper chest got burnt!!! OOOOHHHHHH!!! Mike was online last night looking for sunblock of 70-80 spf for me to use the next time I go out. Only me!!
Okay, now I'm done. I feel a little better. Thanks for letting me have my say!!!
I use three different e-mail addresses for different things I do. There is my gmail address for my blog and Facebook; one AT&T email for junk mail and subscriptions and a second AT&T for Mike and my personal use (don't laugh; Mike has three also: work, junk and home). AT&T and I have been going round and round regarding my junk mail address. Recently they made changes to their website and I have not been able to add the update due to unknown reasons [I think I know why; AT&T doesn't know why or won't admit to it (that's another long story)]. Because of this, for a while I was unable to access my junk mail account. After spending about 45 minutes on the phone with Tech Support, I was able to access my account. They gave me a temporary password and told me to try to change it a few days later due to some updating of their system. That was a week or two ago. I can access my e-mail but still can not change my temporary password to one I want. So, I called them back today and, 46 minutes later, nothing has changed. I still cannot change my temporary password. This Tech Support person suggested I try a different internet server, like Firefox. Since we only have Internet Explorer, I don't know what I will do. This is not the only time I have been frustrated with AT&T. They get my dander up quite often. Since we don't like any of the other phone company options available to us for different reasons, I guess we are stuck with them for a while.
My second rant is about sunburns. Mike and the boys make me jealous because they don't burn. Their dark complexions just gets darker. My fair complexion burns at the drop of the hat. A couple of weeks ago, our church had a picnic to raise money for the college kids' trip to Uruguay. Mike, I and the kids spent about an hour there after church eating and participating in the dunk tank (the kids wanted to dunk our pastor). We went home and I finished cleaning a bunch of big toys to give to my niece Jessie for her new baby, Riley. Dad and Joan came down and we all sat outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Guess who got sunburned? Me!! My upper back and the upper part of my chest got burnt, with the worse being my back. It has finally stopped being sore just a few days ago. (No, I did not have sunscreen on at the time. Yes, I know I should have; I just didn't think about it at the time.) Yesterday, the kids and I went to the Y for 1 1/2 hours to play in the outdoor pool (check yesterday's post.) Before we even left the house, I put sunscreen with a 50 spf on everyone, even myself with Hannah's help. Guess who got sunburned? ME!! I don't know what happened? I felt fine. Then, when I was changing clothes for our Women's Board Appreciation Dinner, I noticed the redness. My whole back, shoulders and upper chest got burnt!!! OOOOHHHHHH!!! Mike was online last night looking for sunblock of 70-80 spf for me to use the next time I go out. Only me!!
Okay, now I'm done. I feel a little better. Thanks for letting me have my say!!!
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