Goodbye

It’s been fun doing the blog for the past year. This started as a way to talk with family and former co-workers in what has become a very fast-paced life.

One thing that amazes me is some of the negative, even down-right rude things that some have posted on this blog. I guess it’s easy to be rude and offensive for those who remain anonymous. That’s not to say that the negative comments have outweighed the rest of the postings. It also amazed me that anyone outside of my circle of friends would have given the blog a second look. I guess I must have said at least one or two things that are worth reading.

I will be taking on a fourth job, one that will require more of my already limited time. Hurricanes Rita and Humberto have opened a door for a job opportunity I just can’t refuse. I’m not looking forward to working 10 and 11 hour days again, but as the song goes, “If you got the money honey, I’ve got the time.” I guess in my case it’s I’ll make the time.

Gone Fishing

Well not exactly fishing. I’m headed out of town for a round of computer training and a short vacation.

For some folks this is easier than others. I always look forward to time away from the office, but also dread it. It’s hard to turn the keys of my desk over to someone else for a week. That’s not to say that no one else is capable of doing my job, but because it is something that takes so much effort…something that one focuses on for months. On vacation day, it’s not always easy to hand the ropes over to a co-worker.

Not All Spending is Bad

This week the sheriff’s deputies union and Jefferson County appear to have reached contract deal. The deputies are getting a raise and both sides seem to be happy.

Under most circumstances I hate government spending and don’t want to see increases in government spending. I am not a fan of big government. In this instance, I’m happy to see the increase.

For most of my friends this may seem out of character to for me because I’m usually the first to complain about the government spending my money on pure crap. In reality, it fits exactly in line with my view of what government is supposed to be doing for me and other citizens. I want government to protect me from others. That’s really all I want from the government and I don’t mind paying for it. I would rather see big paychecks attracting better candidates to become sheriff’s deputies, firemen and policemen than all of the spending we do on shiny new parks and museums.

In my previous post I realize I may have come across as someone who is against spending on education. That’s not the case. Just to clarify, I think they are not spending the money wisely. Do we really need to buy everything on credit? That is my point.

Put it on Credit, it’s the American Way

Let’s see… Port Arthur is going for bond issue round two. Vidor, Beaumont, and Hardin-Jefferson… and quite a few others… are borrowing or about to borrow large amounts of money.

Isn’t this just a hidden or delayed tax increase?

The way I see it it’s a simple process:
1) Pass a bond issue
2) Build a real nice school
3) Start paying off the bonds
4) A year or so later do the budget with the bond payment included
5) Proclaim that you need to raise taxes because of the rise in expenses caused by the bond payments.

Most of the bond planners tell you if they expect a tax increase. I wonder how accurate their estimates have been in the past or will be in the future. It seems as if they are going out of their way to buy something with a fuzzy long-term price tag.

Wouldn’t it be better for the taxpayer’s pocket to raise taxes first, put the cash in an interest-earning account and then build the school with cash?

I have asked a couple of folks this question and the answers I get are so convoluted it makes me feel as if they are either trying to cover up a money grab or it’s good ole’ fashioned government red tape preventing the obviously best solution.

I am highly skeptical of how our leaders spend money earmarked for education.

Do we really need a million-dollar gymnasium? Do superintendents really deserve a half-million dollar or higher salary? Wouldn’t the cash be better spent on more or better qualified teachers?

Just a few questions from a tired person writing a blog entry late at night

The Happy and Sad Side of Tax Reporting

PORT ARTHUR NEWS – SATURDAY AUG 11
“Jefferson County employees and elected officials are shaping out to have a bit more change in their pockets. And better still, so are taxpayers.”

BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE – SATURDAY AUG 11
"Jefferson County taxpayers face possible tax increases to pay for raises for Officials...."

My Guess? Get ready to dig in your pocketbooks!

Pardon Me While I Rant

I received a letter from the county this week. The document took two pages to say that the county has determined that there is a problem with my septic system and I need to fix it and let the county know it's fixed. It said I need to get in touch with them within 60 days to let them know the problem has been repaired. What it didn't say is what problem I am supposed to fix! Basically they said you better guess what the problem is, fix it, or else! Only a taxpayer-funded entity could come up with something like this. Oh yes, I almost forgot.... True to form, the county's letter arrived on a Friday so I can stew over it over the weekend.

I guess it goes to show you, even if you move out of the city you are still subject to oversight on your own property. At any minute you can be thrown into the paperwork maze that others have spent your tax dollars to build.

My wife noticed a man in front of the house earlier in the week. She said he was taking photos of our property. Now that I have this letter, I'm assuming he was a paid county employee taking photos of the alleged problems. It's not that exciting of a building and it sure isn't the cover of house beautiful, so this must be what all that was about.

I question why the county has to do this in such an inefficient manner. If they are going to pay a man to come to my house in a tax-funded pickup truck, on the tax payers payroll, using tax-funded film in a tax-funded camera...why not have him come to the door and say this is what I have to fix? Why have someone type a two-page letter that tells me absolutely nothing other than the number I have to call ...then spend more money on stamps to send me the meaningless form? Oh yes, I almost forgot... they are doing this with my money (that's where tax money comes from) so why would they worry about wasting it?

I would let the person have it on the phone Monday, but I'm sure I'll get a computer telling me to punch this number or that number. When I do get a human on the phone it will most likely be a low-paid clerk who has no power to do anything but to tell me what problem is putting his or her supervisor's underwear in a twist.

I'm sorry, do I sound as if I have low respect for some publicly-paid officials who make two to three times my salary? Surely you must be mistaken.

Economic Boom?

I keep hearing about how southeast Texas is experiencing an economic boom. There are multi-million...even billion dollar plant expansions coming to the area. The plants will bring all sorts of jobs to the area and will pump large amounts of cash into the area's economy. Goodie goodie!

I'm sure thousands of folks will benefit from all of this, but I question just how much this will help the Ingram household.

I don't have a degree in engineering. At this point in my life, with 6 kids to feed, going back to college is not an option. I am not a welder and really have no desire to become one. I'm sure there will be quite a few desk jobs for paper pushers making around $20K a year. That won't cut it for a family man. So for someone like me, what does all of this “good news” really do?

I seriously doubt any of the companies I work for now will take a look at some economic index of the area and give me a raise because of how well industries are doing. In fact, even though there is all of this growth, I'm told one of channel 12's competitors has laid off a number of its production staff. The lay offs are said to be due to the addition of robo cams and other automation. Ah yes, the fruits of a company's growth!

(By the way, for a quick laugh, check out the wonders of a robo-cam)

I'm sure property values will go up even more, so I'll pay more in taxes. I'm sure there will be more businesses in the area and the population will go up. This means the crime rate near my home will go up and prices will get closer to the inflated numbers we see in Houston.

More crime... higher prices...higher taxes... help! Save me from economic growth!