The American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE), an organization committed to improving the nation’s infrastructure, has released its 2009 report card on the condition of America’s infrastructure. It graded 15 areas from Aviation to Wastewater for a national GPA of D, and estimates it will take $2.2 trillion over the next five years to bring…
Comments on Debt Restructuring
Here’s a link to my letter to the editor published at Northern Star today. In reading it you’ll see that I didn’t actually attribute absurdity to the DeKalb City Council, but that’s probably a quibble.
Bell to Refund Property Taxes It Overcharged
The State of California is forcing the city government of Bell, a non-prosperous suburb of Los Angeles whose administrators were among the most highly paid in the country, to refund $3 million in property taxes the municipality overcharged. About 4,000 property owners will be reimbursed under the plan. Bell is not the only California city…
Lunatic Fringe Pre-Meeting Open Thread at FB
I didn’t have a chance to post about tonight’s meeting agenda, but there’s a discussion started at the Facebook page for the Lunatic Fringe of DeKalb, IL. J.P. Salovesh has pulled out for comment two items from the Committee of the Whole agenda that are of particular interest.
AG Rules Against Release of Names of Council Members Receiving Health Insurance
Yesterday I received a letter from the Office of the Attorney General regarding its ruling on the FOIA request to release the names of council members who take the City of DeKalb’s health insurance. Click on any page of the letter to see a larger image.
Opps
see more Very Demotivational
Time to Look at Bell
Home to 37,000 people, Bell, California is one of the least prosperous suburbs of Los Angeles at a per capita income of about $24,000, yet its residents pay the second-highest property tax rate in Los Angeles County — even higher than that of Beverly Hills. The taxes have gone to pay some of the highest…
County Budget Proposal Would Cost Us
According to the Daily Chronicle, last night the DeKalb County’s Finance Committee voted to send an FY2011 budget proposal to the full county board that contains cuts to the health department and sheriff’s office — as well as a property tax hike of about 2.4% for the average homeowner. What’s the deal? [Deputy County Administrator…
Gilpin Family Whisky
Just saw this and can’t vouch for the authenticity of the product source, but note there are no photos of anyone drinking the stuff. Gee.
Overextended in Hampshire Via SSA
[Update 9/3: SSA bond owners have agreed to the buy-back plan.] Courier News item, my emphasis: HAMPSHIRE — Whether Crown Community Development will continue with plans to build 2,833 homes in three Hampshire developments, potentially tripling the village’s population, may depend on what six Wall Street firms decide between now and 5 p.m. Wednesday. That’s…