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What is this?
City must change its ways now
Published Wednesday, June 17, 2009
These are indeed troubling times — across the globe and even here in Natchez. The City of Natchez seems to be in a rotten state at the moment, at least financially.
Months after paving roads with money we didn’t yet have, the city has been forced to borrow money against taxes it hasn’t yet collected just to meet payroll.
Now, with most of the “payday loan” money spent and sales tax numbers dipping the city considers job cuts as a possible next step.
It might be easy to just pin the problems on the person watching the money — in this case the city clerk’s office. But blaming the bookkeeper isn’t going to cut it.
This isn’t some Ponzi scheme gone awry; this is government spending on overdrive and with little to no accountability for the people signing the checks.
The current problems aren’t related to an accounting scandal or simple embezzlement.
Nope, the city’s problem is much more dark, much more ugly than a mere criminal endeavor.
Today’s problems were the result of years of apathy on the part of our elected officials. Money was transferred from one account to another without understanding the ramifications — both short and long term.
It’s what happens when elected officials start feeling comfortable and confident, but remain largely uneducated on their public roles.
So here we sit, a beautiful city that could be weathering the current financial storm, resting on a small rainy day fund that was built up over time.
Instead, we’re a city considering slashing the work force just to make ends meet because we’re broke.
The panicked cutting likely will help the city get by, but without changing city habits we’re doomed to repeat this ugly scenario again and again.
Comments
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like the Owhampy tribe spending money that it doesn't have! As usual the taxpayer will pay the bill while he is off running his mouth about things he knows nothing about! As you remember, Owhampy or whatever never worked at a "regular job", just a community organizer and yes, the taxpayer put him thru Columbia Law School, and he did work for ACORN! Thanks for the good info ND!
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen!! The theme of todays edition should resound through the entire state.
I know we are in the state of a crisis here, but the majority of financial issues in question are rooted more in poor planning at this stage.
Once the full force of this recession catches up with the common taxpaying public, this is not gonna be pretty.
I'm already eyeing a bigger fence, larger caliber and meaner dog.
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rushinghjr, Obama has nothing to do with the city's current administration. We seemed to have changed from black to white and gone from black to red.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on June 17, 2009 at 6:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, it is time for action but the BOA seems to be paralyzed by aldermen who cannot make a decision.
In the business world, we called it, "paralysis by analysis". It is time to take action on some or all of the cost cutting measures suggested.
No, it won't be pretty. However, the alternative is worst!
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These officials need to stop worrying about getting re-elected and do what must be done. Workers will have to be let go, non essential services will have to be slashed and all spending looked over to see if it is necessary. Either way most of you will not get re-elected so why not go out with a clear conscience.
Posted by thetinman (Keith Reynolds) on June 17, 2009 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The BIBLE says to pray for our Leaders. SO, Guess what I am going to do!!!!?
JESUS is coming soon!!!
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
beammeupscotty, you are right. The mayor and most of the BOA are basing their leadership on being re-elected. The majority will not be re-elected so go ahead and lead like it should be done. I, for one, will NOT vote for Jake Middleton again and I will not vote for my alderman again.
Posted by SniperX (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the democrat philosophy, "Spend till there is no more, and then keep spending. And after everything is gone and we are in an impossible debt situation blame someone in accounting for writing the checks."
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The cycle of spending is not very unusual for a small city during an economic downturn.
We will deal with this, and people should not be freaking out or ascribing the cause to their favorite demon.
We have just enjoyed 8 years of national prosperity that was founded on lies about the beauty of free enterprise by a group that pretended to be austere, then overspent and under-regulated till the economy crumbled. Some people are dumb enough to want to put those people back in power -- THAT is really quite amazing.
Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We need a whole board of "Daniel Dillards" who are not afraid to stand up and say what needs to be said instead of following somebody else's agenda. Dillard has good common sense and obviously did his homeowrk. The other aldermen's idea of "saivings" are laughable at best.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SniperX I disagree with you. Democrats spend like there is no tomorrow then raise taxes to keep on spending. Republicians spend like there is no tomorrow and keep on spending while talking about tax cuts. We citizens don't stand a chance.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
oldsaw/ I am referring to the unwise spending policy by the City/it is very much like Owhampy's Socialistic spending habits? The two are very comparable! Read closer?
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't the city being socialist by having recreation parks? Providing any services above police and firemen protection, utilities basic needs. Everything else is socialist. I agree cut all of it out.
Posted by unclered (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 9:56 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by juju (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cutting jobs hurts the community probably worse that the grass bills! We need these people to keep putting back into our community with spending. Besides, I don't trust that Dillard has the answer to having it done cheaper. Does he know someone personally? hmmmm!
Posted by marinefrmntz (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchez is already lost, there are no "careers" in Natchez. Thank God me and my family left and have never looked back. Give that town to the hicks who made it what it is....
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