It is now after 3:00 in the afternoon on a Sunday and I just finished reading the front section of today's Detroit Free Press. I go it out of my mailbox at 6:30 this morning, but when I saw the front page listing not one or two, but at least ten different articles on the Governor's budget, I took the first three sections of the paper and said 'Later'. Now, 'later' has arrived.
First, let me say that I had received notice last week that the Lt. Governor was going to address the House Tax Policy Committee regarding the Governor's budget. I opted to stay home rather than drive to Lansing to listen to the messenger.
Fast forward to today and there on page 17A is a 'POLI-BITES' titled 'Engler poster boy for need to tax pensions'. Shame on you Mr. Calley. Nothing like a little distortion of public pensions to make a point. Apparently, our former legislator and Governor has two public pensions totalling $186,200 a year and a seven figure salary. Calley asked if he really needed a 'tax-free' pension. (Good for Mr. Engler for landing a seven figure salary in his new job. I'm guessing he has to pay taxes on it in whatever jurisdiction it is earned.)
First, I would like to know why he has two pensions when he only worked for one employer for 37 years. Seems the State has a problem there. And an automatic annual increase of 4% every year? Health care after six years? Lansing needs to get their own house (and senate) in order before they strike out at public employees.
Let's start by looking at the public employees I know best - those in West Bloomfield. There is no pension credit for more than thirty years of service. General Office employees can only receive a maximum of 60% of their final average salary and police and fire are capped at 80%. Work forty years as a police officer and retire? You get 80% of your final average compensation. The same you would have gotten at 30 years. Leave with thirty years of seniority as an office clerk and are only 50 years old? No retiree health care for you. You must stay until you are 55 to get it. And if you leave at 55 and take your pension, it will be at a reduced amount. And I know of no one who ever left with a six-figure pension. I certainly didn't. Not even close.
As for the annual increase, the cost of living for West Bloomfield pensions is tied to a Federal clerical index. Last year it went down and this year the increase was barely noticeable.
They way I see it, some legislators in the past rewarded themselves with nice pensions and perks and now the new guys in town want everyone who was busy teaching their children, catching their criminals, and fighting their fires to ante up and pay the piper.
For the Lt. Governor to complain that the State is not getting money on the pension of Mr. Engler and use that as justification for taxing all pensions is unfair. Seems like he and newspaper reporters love to point out all of the high pensions payed to a select few individuals. And the public loves to hear it and complain that they do not want to pay for public pensions.
What I want to know is, where are the articles on folks complaining about the high salaries payed to sports figures. Is the public not paying their salaries? Tickets to games? Advertising costs rolled into merchandise you buy with their names on it? Would you rather pay the salary and pension of the man pulling you out of a burning house or a crushed car or the salary of the guy running the football down the field? Just asking.
Tax Time is When?
I do my own taxes. I always have. They are not that complicated, with the exception of one year a long time ago when I sold some stock and had to report a long history of buy and sell prices. Anyway, now with TurboTax even a cave man can do it.
So, at the end of January I was still missing some info I needed. My broker had informed me that it would be another two weeks before I had my statement in the mail, but that I could download it sooner online. I actually knew exactly what would be on it, but still wanted the copy for my records.
Eventually, I thought I had everything and then yesterday I received a notice from my bank telling me that what they sent me was incorrect. They also informed me that what they reported on my statements during the year was incorrect, so don't use that figure. Another two weeks and I should have a corrected statement.
I think I am just going to start entering my information. I'll fill in the blanks before the due date. Hopefully, I won't be one of those people running to the post office to drop it off in time.
Hey, it's my refund and I need it now.
So, at the end of January I was still missing some info I needed. My broker had informed me that it would be another two weeks before I had my statement in the mail, but that I could download it sooner online. I actually knew exactly what would be on it, but still wanted the copy for my records.
Eventually, I thought I had everything and then yesterday I received a notice from my bank telling me that what they sent me was incorrect. They also informed me that what they reported on my statements during the year was incorrect, so don't use that figure. Another two weeks and I should have a corrected statement.
I think I am just going to start entering my information. I'll fill in the blanks before the due date. Hopefully, I won't be one of those people running to the post office to drop it off in time.
Hey, it's my refund and I need it now.
Where's My Pen?
This morning's Oakland Press has a story about missing equipment in Independence Township. Seems that a tractor and an aerator have gone missing. The story reminded me of 'things that went missing' when I was at West Bloomfield.
I had a practice of leaving my very nice Cross pen on my desktop each night when I left for home. It was always right there when I came in the next morning so I could write up all of my bank transfers and investments.
One morning I sat at my desk, went to grab the pen, and it was GONE. I looked everywhere. I even asked my counter staff up in the front of the office to look and see if I had left it on someone else's desk. No luck.
Being more than a little upset (read loud), other co-workers heard me. They then informed me that they too had items missing. One was missing a pair of ladies slacks that were on a coat rack in the hall. The other was missing her sports bra which was in her gym bag in her office.
I put a call in to the person in charge of the outside cleaning crew (my suspicious nature arises) at Town Hall. We did a little investigating (too many crime shows) and found out that other departments also had problems. A digital camera, a stepladder, and some make-up were also missing.
At this point we involved the Police Department. And we fired the cleaning company.
We came up with some interesting scenarios for someone who steals a ladder, camera, ladies clothes and make-up, and a pen. You are free to come up with your own stories.
As for Independence, you have to admit that a tractor is a little big to stuff in your pocket or make a quick getaway in.
I had a practice of leaving my very nice Cross pen on my desktop each night when I left for home. It was always right there when I came in the next morning so I could write up all of my bank transfers and investments.
One morning I sat at my desk, went to grab the pen, and it was GONE. I looked everywhere. I even asked my counter staff up in the front of the office to look and see if I had left it on someone else's desk. No luck.
Being more than a little upset (read loud), other co-workers heard me. They then informed me that they too had items missing. One was missing a pair of ladies slacks that were on a coat rack in the hall. The other was missing her sports bra which was in her gym bag in her office.
I put a call in to the person in charge of the outside cleaning crew (my suspicious nature arises) at Town Hall. We did a little investigating (too many crime shows) and found out that other departments also had problems. A digital camera, a stepladder, and some make-up were also missing.
At this point we involved the Police Department. And we fired the cleaning company.
We came up with some interesting scenarios for someone who steals a ladder, camera, ladies clothes and make-up, and a pen. You are free to come up with your own stories.
As for Independence, you have to admit that a tractor is a little big to stuff in your pocket or make a quick getaway in.
Speaking of Ice
In mid-March of 1968, I was walking to the bus stop on my way to Detroit General Hospital and managed to find the very last piece of ice in the entire City of Detroit. I not only found it, I slipped on it.
In a 'never say die' moment, I got up and continued my walk to the bus stop. I got on the bus and rode from Eight Mile and Gratiot to St. Antoine and Gratiot. When I went to stand up, I could barely balance. I struggled off the bus and realized there was no way I was going to make my way to the hospital, two blocks away. Something was definitely wrong.
I hailed a cab, got in and told the driver where I was going. He turned around and looked at me and said 'Lady, you're two blocks away'. I told him I knew where I was, but could not walk there. I then told him to drive me to the ER entrance.
Once we got there, like two seconds later, I told him to go into the building, make a right into the blood bank and tell one of my co-workers to get a wheelchair. Next thing I knew they were all streaming out of the building to get me into the ER.
Well, it was a busy morning and no one could get around to taking care of me. So, I stayed in the chair, pushed my way around the lab, and busied myself typing and cross-matching blood.
Eventually a doctor showed up, had me get an x-ray, and later informed me that I had indeed broken my tibia, about two inches above the ankle. More waiting for someone to have time to set the leg. Well, I was in a walking cast for the next four weeks.
I don't know if you have ever taken a bad fall on ice, but to this day, almost 43 years later, I am still terrified of being out on icy walks. When there was ice on the drive on trash day a few weeks ago, I loaded up the trunk of my car and drove down the driveway. Just call me a sissy. I can take it. I've been called worse.
In a 'never say die' moment, I got up and continued my walk to the bus stop. I got on the bus and rode from Eight Mile and Gratiot to St. Antoine and Gratiot. When I went to stand up, I could barely balance. I struggled off the bus and realized there was no way I was going to make my way to the hospital, two blocks away. Something was definitely wrong.
I hailed a cab, got in and told the driver where I was going. He turned around and looked at me and said 'Lady, you're two blocks away'. I told him I knew where I was, but could not walk there. I then told him to drive me to the ER entrance.
Once we got there, like two seconds later, I told him to go into the building, make a right into the blood bank and tell one of my co-workers to get a wheelchair. Next thing I knew they were all streaming out of the building to get me into the ER.
Well, it was a busy morning and no one could get around to taking care of me. So, I stayed in the chair, pushed my way around the lab, and busied myself typing and cross-matching blood.
Eventually a doctor showed up, had me get an x-ray, and later informed me that I had indeed broken my tibia, about two inches above the ankle. More waiting for someone to have time to set the leg. Well, I was in a walking cast for the next four weeks.
I don't know if you have ever taken a bad fall on ice, but to this day, almost 43 years later, I am still terrified of being out on icy walks. When there was ice on the drive on trash day a few weeks ago, I loaded up the trunk of my car and drove down the driveway. Just call me a sissy. I can take it. I've been called worse.
Talk about Unnecessary
It's been a long morning. Up at six am, I couldn't get my newspaper because of the ice in my driveway. So, I spent the time working on my power point slide presentation on fiscal stress that is due by Monday. (I'll be giving this talk in Lansing on March 25.)
It was almost noon by the time I got the Oakland Press out of my box. I should have left it there. Or at least not read the Opinion Page.
There in black and white is another guest opinion from two West Bloomfield officials. Guess who. The caption is 'Attacks from township clerk unnecessary'. Attacks? What attacks? I haven't seen anything in the newspaper. Wait. Didn't I see something similar awhile back? Why, yes I did.
The opinion starts out with the statement 'We are not conflict-oriented..' Really? Could have fooled me. Why write a letter for something I have heard nothing about?
The two are complaining about a recent press release from the Township Clerk. Well, I wonder how many residents have seen it. Not me. When I was Treasurer, I also sent letters to the editor and press releases, when necessary. They were not always printed or acted upon. So, the public knew nothing about them.
The article goes on to say that the Circuit Court Judge has 'seemingly...agreed with us...' The issue referred to is the compensation of a trustee and the Judge has not made any decision. If I were the Judge, I'd be more than a little peeved that they had the nerve to put words in my mouth.
They then rehash the three issues they lost on in the Court already and assert their opinion that they are still right and the Court is wrong, so to speak.
As to the position of a new Finance Director, if the position existed, the person would, under Township State law, report to the Clerk. MCL Section 41.65 states:
My opinion? This entire 'guest opinion' was unnecessary. It only serves to cause more dissension and get their pictures in the newspaper, yet again.
It was almost noon by the time I got the Oakland Press out of my box. I should have left it there. Or at least not read the Opinion Page.
There in black and white is another guest opinion from two West Bloomfield officials. Guess who. The caption is 'Attacks from township clerk unnecessary'. Attacks? What attacks? I haven't seen anything in the newspaper. Wait. Didn't I see something similar awhile back? Why, yes I did.
The opinion starts out with the statement 'We are not conflict-oriented..' Really? Could have fooled me. Why write a letter for something I have heard nothing about?
The two are complaining about a recent press release from the Township Clerk. Well, I wonder how many residents have seen it. Not me. When I was Treasurer, I also sent letters to the editor and press releases, when necessary. They were not always printed or acted upon. So, the public knew nothing about them.
The article goes on to say that the Circuit Court Judge has 'seemingly...agreed with us...' The issue referred to is the compensation of a trustee and the Judge has not made any decision. If I were the Judge, I'd be more than a little peeved that they had the nerve to put words in my mouth.
They then rehash the three issues they lost on in the Court already and assert their opinion that they are still right and the Court is wrong, so to speak.
As to the position of a new Finance Director, if the position existed, the person would, under Township State law, report to the Clerk. MCL Section 41.65 states:
The township clerk shall be responsible for the detailed accounting records of the township utilizing the uniform chart of accounts prescribed by the state treasurer. The township clerk shall prepare and maintain the journals and ledgers necessary to reflect the assets, liabilities, fund equities, revenues, and expenditures for each fund of the township.The job of the Supervisor is to prepare the budget, not run the finance department. They are two separate things. West Bloomfield never had a Finance Director, per se, in all the twenty years I was there (he was on sick leave and never came back). That was one of the reasons we later changed a job title of Assistant Finance Director to Budget Director.
My opinion? This entire 'guest opinion' was unnecessary. It only serves to cause more dissension and get their pictures in the newspaper, yet again.
Maybe I am missing something?
I have been reading a biography of Gypsy Rose Lee by Karen Abbott. It came across my radar when I read a review which gave it high marks. (For another opinion, read this review of American Rose in the NY Times, which points out the book's flaws. I should have read it instead of the book.)
Growing up in the 50's I had heard about the stripper who never bared it all (not true if you read between the lines in the book). I had seen her on talk shows and remember her as being rather 'bawdy'.
I have never seen the movie 'Gypsy', primarily because I do not like Rosalind Russell. Reading the book I can certainly see how she was chosen to play the obnoxious stage mother. One comment in the book about her is that 'her river did not run to the sea'. She was a force to be reckoned with and not above doing anything immoral or illegal, or so it seems.
Interesting also that they cast petite Natalie Wood to play the 5' 9 1/5 " Gypsy, also. Makes me think Hollywood wanted to make like Gypsy was America's sweetheart of the Depression?
So, I am reading this story and thinking 'What a whack job'. Her and her whole family. I can find nothing redeeming here about anyone. Her own sister, actress June Havoc, told the author that 'Gypsy had no shame'.
I discovered online that CBS did a tribute to her for what would have been her 100th birthday. They interviewed her son, Erik Preminger. I cannot print the comment from his father, Otto, as this is a G-rated blog.
But the thing that stands out in my mind reading this is that stage mothers in the 1910s and 20s exploited their children much like stage mothers do today. The only difference being that now we can see all of this happening in real time, Twitter about it, post it on YouTube, whatever. It is truly sad, IMHO.
Growing up in the 50's I had heard about the stripper who never bared it all (not true if you read between the lines in the book). I had seen her on talk shows and remember her as being rather 'bawdy'.
I have never seen the movie 'Gypsy', primarily because I do not like Rosalind Russell. Reading the book I can certainly see how she was chosen to play the obnoxious stage mother. One comment in the book about her is that 'her river did not run to the sea'. She was a force to be reckoned with and not above doing anything immoral or illegal, or so it seems.
Interesting also that they cast petite Natalie Wood to play the 5' 9 1/5 " Gypsy, also. Makes me think Hollywood wanted to make like Gypsy was America's sweetheart of the Depression?
So, I am reading this story and thinking 'What a whack job'. Her and her whole family. I can find nothing redeeming here about anyone. Her own sister, actress June Havoc, told the author that 'Gypsy had no shame'.
I discovered online that CBS did a tribute to her for what would have been her 100th birthday. They interviewed her son, Erik Preminger. I cannot print the comment from his father, Otto, as this is a G-rated blog.
But the thing that stands out in my mind reading this is that stage mothers in the 1910s and 20s exploited their children much like stage mothers do today. The only difference being that now we can see all of this happening in real time, Twitter about it, post it on YouTube, whatever. It is truly sad, IMHO.
Love these bags
First of all, I have to say that although I did not know Lisa Roswell, I was saddened by the tragedy of her death. My condolences to all who knew her. From what I've read, she was a special lady.
I love this denim bag. Here's what I found when I looked inside......
Maybe we can adapt it somehow to become a sit-on frame.
And lastly, I have one bag of all floss up to 3821. I don't know if I will offer all as one, or by number category. I don't think I have enough of the newer numbers to make another set. Didn't get that far yet, but I'm pleased with what I've accomplished and can finally see what I have and find what I need.
I am almost done clearing my little parlor of the stash. Now it's all upstairs in a chest waiting to be sorted further, but at least it's out of sight. Some of the items were stuffed into the bottom of my cupboard which is where I am working right now. Look what I found.....
I don't use a frame, but this one looks like I could be persuaded to give it a try.
This is another bag that I found and the fabric is a heavy but soft texture, really nice lining, with a velcro closure at the top. Maybe my first give-away? It's pretty long and I'm assuming it's for a large frame. I probably had the one that fit, but they're all gone now.
And lastly, I have one bag of all floss up to 3821. I don't know if I will offer all as one, or by number category. I don't think I have enough of the newer numbers to make another set. Didn't get that far yet, but I'm pleased with what I've accomplished and can finally see what I have and find what I need.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
-
Attorney Gregory Yates attorney , who are customers and employees to defraud consistently dishonest. Avoid his next victim. In this case, l...
-
The growth of China Importing across the globe has rendered China the greatest exporter in the world. China has overtaken the United State...
-
T-shirt transfer-this is the only method that I ever try if you have a shirt I own. You buy a t-shirt transfer sheets, print design, and ir...
