HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year!

Okay everyone, I am back in town and ready to roll. I thought that I would take this opportunity to catch everyone up, so I will recap a few issues already posted on this site in order to help those new to the blog catch up on things. First off, if you would like to be a subscriber, it costs nothing, but I will send you an email whenever I post a new topic. If so, email me at gorilla_in_the_corner@yahoo.com

Now...the right side of the site you will notice that there is a link to all of our elected officials' email addresses. There are also links to various other things including all previous posts and archives on a month by month basis. The most recent post is on the top, so if you check on a daily basis, you should stay nice and informed. Feel free to comment on anything at any time. If I notice an increase in interest on a particular subject, I will post another discussion adding more information as needed.

I noticed a post on www.dospringhill.com asking a few questions, so I will recap a little vocab really quickly to keep everyone on the same page:

* BOMA- Board of Mayor and Aldermen

* Impact fees are fees imposed on new construction. It is used to cover the cost of utilities and other city provided items. It also helps in the city's income base, especially since we do not pay any property tax. Money comes from somewhere, and this is one of the ways that the city is funded.

* Mayor Leverette- It is up to you to decide if he is doing a good job or not. I have mixed feelings on the subject, but I do think that he is a decent and honest man. I just think he may be making his job a little too hard.

Now to the meat of the issue, and today's discussion topic.

Below is a link from the Williamson AM.
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060102/COUNTY090101/601020323/1352/COUNTY09

It talks about a conflict of interest on various topics that come before the BOMA, especially regarding Charles Raines. I believe that you need a certain percentage professionally informed aldermen. This will cause (as we are seeing now) numerous conflicts of interest. Charles Raines has every right to be an alderman, but he is also ethically obligated to abstain on all matters that would affect his pocketbook. Now that the BOMA has voted to approve matters that come before the Planning Commission, I think that Mr. Raines would be well advised to abstain on quite a bit in the coming months. If anyone is interested in contacting any of our officials on this matter, look to the right side of this board. ---------->

Enjoy!

I will be back this afternoon to post again. Until then...