State elected officials across America are in shock over the nosedive in tax collections, rising unemployment and ballooning budget deficits.
Ah, the falling of fresh, white snow. A winter blanket marking the start of the season.
Throughout the year, I clip news stories that appealed to me for various reasons and pass the best of them along to you as my favorites of 2008.
Do you not find it interesting that success in balancing a county budget merits rave reviews but having to dip into reserves to balance a budget is not appropriate for critical comment. The basic premise must be that, during times of economic prosperity, simply doing what you get paid for is meritorious while, in crunch times, trying hard, regardless of outcome, is all that is required. Sorry, commissioners, not in my world.
The Puget Sound Partnership recently released its Action Agenda to restore Puget Sound, a pathway for fixing the problems that are causing Puget Sound’s slow death.
The continuing saga of Buck’s A&W has drawn in the entire South Kitsap community since the popular restaurant’s legal troubles and pending closure were first chronicled by the Independent last Monday.
Throughout the year, I clip news stories that appealed to me for various reasons and pass the best of them along to you as my favorites of 2008.
Regarding the impending closure of Buck’s A&W restauraunt in Port Orchard, many have expressed disappointment in the legal system and seem to have forgotten that there were two young women employed by this establishment that were victims of sexual harassment.
Everyone knows and loves the story, a perennial Christmas favorite.
Johnson Creek property owner Brad Watts’s litany of assumptions, complaints and accusations in the 11/29/2008 NKH deserves informed comment.
Pia Marshall awoke to the familiar sound of her son’s voice calling out from his nearby bedroom.
To get your minds off your household budgets, watch what our local and state government budget deliberations involve — and hope for some useful “myth busting.”
Criminey, it’s cold outside. If all goes as planned, by the time you pluck this paper out of your blue box on Saturday, there will be a blanket of snow covering your yard, your house and, if you stand still too long, it’ll cover you, too.
Torrens Talk
Although I grieve just a bit when the long, dry days of summer become short, dark and cold, I rather like these days because I am hopelessly nostalgic about Christmas. With a determined change in attitude, I embrace the wind and hope for snow with a sense of adventure by adjusting our routines. We gather up our flashlights and purchase fresh batteries. We gas up our generator, stock our cupboards with canned soup and set up a puzzle table near the fireplace. I heat cider and simmer a cheesecloth bag filled with mulling spices as much for the fragrance as for the flavor. And I listen to Karen Carpenter sing, “There is no place like home for the holidays…” for the millionth time.
Electoral college
Do you not find it interesting that success in balancing a county budget merits rave reviews, but having to dip into reserves to balance a budget is not appropriate for critical comment. The basic premise must be that, during times of economic prosperity, simply doing what you get paid for is meritorious while, in crunch times, trying hard, regardless of outcome, is all that is required. Sorry, commissioners, not in my world.
