Tuesday, February 17, 2009 — I read with some interest the Report to the People offered to us recently and knowing of my interest in our local government’s desire to steal ALCOA’s hydroelectric generation facilities, I looked for the expenditures of our tax money for lawyers, ad hoc committees, payments for services and travel that dealt with those efforts. Needless to say there are no references.
Special appropriations making up 8 percent or $5,138,705 of the proposed budget seems to be the only category other than education not covered in the report that could be paying for these shenanigans. I would suggest that a detailed report on how this money is being or is going to be spent should be covered and where and to whom it is allocated.
The Cassandra of the Commissioners is that ALCOA is going to kill us all if the commissioners don’t abscond with their property. So, it would seem to me that these “Special Appropriations and Trans-fers” should be well documented as to how we are going to be “saved” from ALCOA.
Maybe Mr. Dunevant could bless us with another epistle on how the county commissioner’s plan to do pay for all of this salvation.
My second observation is that dealing with the difficult economic times and the somewhat dubious plans the federals propose to “fix it all,” I don’t see any line item or category for reserved funds. I would think that at least 3 percent ($1,927,014) should be held in reserve. If the failed collections of taxes for one reason or another occurs, that would at least provide a little cushion.
Or is it that you are going to preclude the “opportunity” and use the SA&T; funds as a reserve, thus protecting us “countymen” if the national depression continues or worsens. I think it would be prudent to do so, don’t you?
If we stop the “stealing opportunity” and apply 8 percent (5 percent + 3 percent) to a needed contingency reserve the great county of Stanly would have some insulation to the encroaching major economic recession.
It has been dully noted by economists all over the spectrum that what we are allowing our government to do with TARP and Stimulus is not going to abate anything.
In fact, it is almost the same attempt that Hoover and FDR tried at the onset of the 1930-1940 Depression that led to a second major recession in 1937-1938. Didn’t work then and an awful lot of learned men say it won’t work now. But that is another discussion that should be covered separately.
The point is that you commissioners have a duty to run our local government prudently as our appointed (elected) stewards with diligence and forethought.
In my own tiny economic operation, I know that during hard times my money cannot be spent on willy-nilly daydreams. A reserve is needed to handle unforeseen situations and those things that are truly needed.
Why can’t we do the same in our local government(s)?
Thomas M. McCluskey
New London
Letters to the Editor
Reserve fund is needed
- Letters to the Editor
-
-
We are not the bad guy
This letter is for staff writer Ian Faulkner. You do not seem to think the threat from North Korea is serious. Read your history of war. I’m glad that our country takes it serious.
-
Citizens need to participate in health assessment
The Stanly County Health Department is partnering with Stanly Regional Medical Center to conduct a community health assessment.
-
New bill would help business
I am writing in reference to a new “open competition” auto insurance bill that was introduced in the N.C. House and Senate.
-
Respect the graves
As far back as I can remember, as far back as my grandparents could remember there has always been a clump of trees located across from Centerview Church, up on the hill, on the Northeast Connector.
-
Encouragement
How refreshing each week to read the article written by Doug Creamer.
-
Permit me
On Sept. 4, 2012, I received a letter from Stanly Co. Office of Planning and Zoning. Thus began a string of four office visits to obtain information that could have been provided sooner.
-
What is unethical?
I am writing in response to your article “Unethical Conduct leads mayor to question board’s actions.”
As a cancer survivor, I am appalled at the actions of Mayor Danny Long. -
Community comes together for child
Jan. 13, I witnessed an extraordinary event at a fundraiser for a baby at Bob’s Family Restaurant in Midland.
-
Applauding the commissioners
In response to the recent article by Brian Graves regarding Clean Tech, I think that our county commissioners should be commended for their stand against Clean Tech’s offering jobs in exchange for Alcoa to be relicensed to operate the hydro dams on the Yadkin-Pee Dee.
-
Budget tips
The government has a problem with the budget. Why? The Republicans and the Democrats blame one another. Why? Don’t they both spend the money? Foolishly.
- More Letters to the Editor Headlines
-
We are not the bad guy
