3/21/12
2/28/12
Holding on to a penny while MOBILE burns!
Here we sit amongst the crawfish and Gulf Wild Shrimp, debating the merits of a 1% sales tax levied on the citizens of Mobile. Let me say up front that this is an issue that as polarized citizens of the Port City more than the spray painting of the Government Street cannon. I have not heard as much banter amongst "southern folk" since I decided to cut down an Azalea from my yard. Taxes are as much a part of the morning Whistle Stop conversation as the brand of mud tire on your GMC. Taxes infuriate Southerners....both rich and working poor. While I understand the temptation towards rebellion against all new taxes and the intrusion of the government on the working man, I am educated enough too see the necessity of tax dollars. I get a check just like everyone else, and after taxes, insurance and retirement planning.....I have considered cutting grass or stocking shelves at Walmart when I should be sleeping. Lets face it, Americans are pinched to the limit. The harder we work, the more they take. As any good Mobilian will tell you, our priorities are screwed up. We have battled over identity. We have battled over annexation. We have had strings of pearls, noise ordinances, sport failures, museum melancholy, cruise ship abandonment, Chicago dirty politics. We have been kicked around and spread out politically all over the county. Crime is an issue. jobs are an issue. Trash in rivers are an issue. Who are we as a city? Well, I have my own thoughts on that but lets stick to the issue.
Mobile mayor Sam Jones is proposing, once again, a 1% sales tax to help the city manage an upcoming budget shortfall of 27 million dollars. There are many people in this city who feel that Mayor Jones is not capable of managing the city finances and that giving him more money will not alleviate future budget shortfalls. There is the main argument against the added sales tax. Lets not kid ourselves into believing that the average citizen is incapable of paying an extra cent on every dollar spent. The argument is NOT over whether an extra 10 bucks on a thousand dollars will break the bank of Mobilians. People have not stopped buying cigarettes although a carton is nearly $70. This is an outcry from the public over the management of city funds.
Let me say up front, that this will be an issue no matter who is mayor. The public will always question why we are spending money. Some people like downtown....some don't. Some people like sporting events....some don't. I want my neighborhood paved just like the guy 2 miles down the street. This is normal. Lets talk about REAL consequences and REAL problems with a singular mindset of stopping government waist.
As I mentioned earlier, I have a vested interest in the sales tax decision. I come from a family of city workers. Half of my family income comes from a city worker. I could easily fall into the ranks of those selfishly not wanting a tax hike based on my ability to afford satellite TV. I AM NOT THAT GUY. I believe in limited government, responsible spending, reduced earmarks, lower taxes. I also believe in the American system that allows us to make changes while protecting our "means of production"
If you do not like Sam Jones, then show it at the polls. If you want Bess Rich as your next mayor, show it at the polls. DO NOT DESTROY YOUR CITY TO MAKE A POINT. The fact is that Mobile will fall short of budget projections come October. The fact is that the city will have to eliminate jobs of hard working Mobilians contributing to the cities survival. The fact is that city services will suffer. The fact is that Mobile will grow ever closer to a less productive, less employed, less tax generating, less attractive place to live. If you do not like Sam Jones then vote at the next election, but do not sacrifice Mobile and it's citizens at the alter to make your point. There is no need to destroy your city to have change. If you are un-happy then VOTE.
For all of you people wanting a new mayor......why would you vote them in and give them the burden of a budget shortfall. No matter who your chosen one is..they do not have a magic pill to solve the city debt crisis. Someone once said that money does not grow on treas......it does not matter who the farmer is. Pass the tax...fix the budget....pay our police and fire workers....then decide who you want running a VIBRANT CITY. Elect a person who you believe in but do not destroy a city to get there.
By not passing this sales tax you are ruining your city. Your college graduates are leaving. Your middle class is leaving. Your law abiding citizens are leaving. WAKE UP Mobile. We want a vibrant and safe city. If that is not happening then vote new leadership....do not destroy lives by cutting jobs and suspending services. Make that decision at the polls but right the ship before it sinks. Everyone can call for a new boat captain, but when the ship hits an iceberg....lets stay afloat before we have meetings on who's fault it is. SAM JONES.....here is my extra penny! good luck.
Mobile mayor Sam Jones is proposing, once again, a 1% sales tax to help the city manage an upcoming budget shortfall of 27 million dollars. There are many people in this city who feel that Mayor Jones is not capable of managing the city finances and that giving him more money will not alleviate future budget shortfalls. There is the main argument against the added sales tax. Lets not kid ourselves into believing that the average citizen is incapable of paying an extra cent on every dollar spent. The argument is NOT over whether an extra 10 bucks on a thousand dollars will break the bank of Mobilians. People have not stopped buying cigarettes although a carton is nearly $70. This is an outcry from the public over the management of city funds.
Let me say up front, that this will be an issue no matter who is mayor. The public will always question why we are spending money. Some people like downtown....some don't. Some people like sporting events....some don't. I want my neighborhood paved just like the guy 2 miles down the street. This is normal. Lets talk about REAL consequences and REAL problems with a singular mindset of stopping government waist.
As I mentioned earlier, I have a vested interest in the sales tax decision. I come from a family of city workers. Half of my family income comes from a city worker. I could easily fall into the ranks of those selfishly not wanting a tax hike based on my ability to afford satellite TV. I AM NOT THAT GUY. I believe in limited government, responsible spending, reduced earmarks, lower taxes. I also believe in the American system that allows us to make changes while protecting our "means of production"
If you do not like Sam Jones, then show it at the polls. If you want Bess Rich as your next mayor, show it at the polls. DO NOT DESTROY YOUR CITY TO MAKE A POINT. The fact is that Mobile will fall short of budget projections come October. The fact is that the city will have to eliminate jobs of hard working Mobilians contributing to the cities survival. The fact is that city services will suffer. The fact is that Mobile will grow ever closer to a less productive, less employed, less tax generating, less attractive place to live. If you do not like Sam Jones then vote at the next election, but do not sacrifice Mobile and it's citizens at the alter to make your point. There is no need to destroy your city to have change. If you are un-happy then VOTE.
For all of you people wanting a new mayor......why would you vote them in and give them the burden of a budget shortfall. No matter who your chosen one is..they do not have a magic pill to solve the city debt crisis. Someone once said that money does not grow on treas......it does not matter who the farmer is. Pass the tax...fix the budget....pay our police and fire workers....then decide who you want running a VIBRANT CITY. Elect a person who you believe in but do not destroy a city to get there.
By not passing this sales tax you are ruining your city. Your college graduates are leaving. Your middle class is leaving. Your law abiding citizens are leaving. WAKE UP Mobile. We want a vibrant and safe city. If that is not happening then vote new leadership....do not destroy lives by cutting jobs and suspending services. Make that decision at the polls but right the ship before it sinks. Everyone can call for a new boat captain, but when the ship hits an iceberg....lets stay afloat before we have meetings on who's fault it is. SAM JONES.....here is my extra penny! good luck.
9/26/11
6/12/11
And the numbers!
Go ahead and use the link to compare Mobile, Prichard and Fairhope and see the future of our area.
http://www.idcide.com/citydata/al/prichard.htm
http://www.idcide.com/citydata/al/prichard.htm
1/14/11
Highlights of the week...New to the stand
It is an easy way for me to get the fingers typing again!
1. "0" overtime this week at the old job hut. This is , believe it or not nearly impossible with 54 employees. Huge props to me!
2. Text from my wife..."I think there is a dead dwarf on the mezanine of my office building.....then nothing for 4 hours. WHAT?
3. I am so fat, I have started a diet out of disgust.
4. I got a raise....if that is what you call "extra change"
5. More new furniture!
6. I like not wearing a jacket to work. The cold air really gets the blood going in the morning.
7. Verbal argument over some nut job in Fresh market trying to tell me that free range chicken prevents all kinds of diseases and is better than regular chicken. Funny how people believe anything they hear. Try backing up your argument with scientific facts next time....not what you hear from "nutritionists". Also, try and define Omega 6 fatty acid before you go running off at the mouth moron. You hippie MF's love to spout off anecdotal bull crap.
8. War Eagle
9. Chiber Juber in a parade?
10. I think it could be mustache time again!
Until next time.....eat some Tyson chicken you frail bitches!
1. "0" overtime this week at the old job hut. This is , believe it or not nearly impossible with 54 employees. Huge props to me!
2. Text from my wife..."I think there is a dead dwarf on the mezanine of my office building.....then nothing for 4 hours. WHAT?
3. I am so fat, I have started a diet out of disgust.
4. I got a raise....if that is what you call "extra change"
5. More new furniture!
6. I like not wearing a jacket to work. The cold air really gets the blood going in the morning.
7. Verbal argument over some nut job in Fresh market trying to tell me that free range chicken prevents all kinds of diseases and is better than regular chicken. Funny how people believe anything they hear. Try backing up your argument with scientific facts next time....not what you hear from "nutritionists". Also, try and define Omega 6 fatty acid before you go running off at the mouth moron. You hippie MF's love to spout off anecdotal bull crap.
8. War Eagle
9. Chiber Juber in a parade?
10. I think it could be mustache time again!
Until next time.....eat some Tyson chicken you frail bitches!
1/2/11
Mad as Hell and tired of lazy people
Let me just say that I am NOt a heartless SOB. I care about people, I care about the environment, I care about those sad animals Sarah keeps singing about on my T.V. Hell, I have even considered adopting a small malnourished kid from Istanbul and buying him the newest Jordans. Well that last one is a stretch, but you get the point. I truly am sad for those less fortunate and those who wake up every morning with a sense of hopelessness, but I have spent at least 5 minutes every holiday Sunday reviewing the Press Registers neediest families article. Now before I start out on this deluge of frustration.....Let me clarify a few things for you brow beaters.
I believe that some people are born behind the proverbial 8-ball and opportunities are few and far between.
I believe that you can't expect a kid born to idiots in a trailer park or project development to just magically develop a work ethic.
I believe that any teenager who makes it to the age of 25 without a WOOPS baby should consider themselves lucky.
I believe we all (unless your name is Kennedy or Trump) are underachievers to some degree.
I believe that we all make mistakes and many of us have been given a helping hand over...and...over...and...over again.
I believe many of us (speaking to those in my inner circle) would not be as comfortable as we are without high income earning parents.
I believe most people deserve a second chance.
God bless every waitress working 8 hours, pulling double shifts, going wothout, and dancing on a pole if needed to give her kid a better life. God bless the man working 2 jobs that dig away at his pride because he refuses to let his kids know he is poor.
WOW....I am glad that is out in the open! Now lets get down to brass tacks. Some people are #@%^$%# idiots. Morons with the inability to be trusted with the simple task of breathing air. I am mad as a hornet and the Press Register can kiss my out of shape ass. I refuse to feel bad for those who can't even prevent the transfer of their stupidity and hardship to another innocent human being....their children. Yes...you have the right to have all the little genetic duplicates you can manage to muster in your roach infested bedrooms, but do not come to me with your outstretched hands wanting sorrow and pity. Let me just break this down for you.
Here is the short version of what I read today in the paper:
A man and a woman in their mid late twenties live in a trailer with a leaky roof that pores water in their bedroom and bathroom. They have a broken septic tank and pay $300 a month in land rent (what ever the Hell land rent is). He lost his job as a cook at a local seafood dive after the oil spill (damn you BP Tony). They have 3 kids under the age of ten. The wife does not work because after...YES...after her recent miscarriage....she has high blood pressure that prohibits her from working. He has been unable to find work this year but just landed a job paying $8.75 and hour. He only gets about 16 hours a week though. Oh yea...and as a kicker...they can't afford to feed the three dogs they also have hanging around the home on wheels. So here on the front of the morning paper stands this poor family standing in front of their falling apart mobile home asking for someone else to tow the rope. Well guess what, I say HELL NO!
Before you wet yourself in anger over the bitter heartless Meeker......let me just make my case.
I understand that you got married to young and just couldn't manage to back the car out of the garage before the motor blew, but twice...no three....no four times. You want those smart enough to actually go to the drug store as a grown man and buy birth control to help foot the bill when your lazy ass can't stop bending over your wife without using a condom. Walk your lazy ass to Walmart....you are the reason those kids live in that squalor. As far as a job! Are you kidding me? The paper had (on this same day) no less than 15 jobs for cooks or low skilled workers. Hell I am paying $10.00 an hour and have ran 5 weeks of adds in the paper "no experience necessary".....and you sir have never graced my office. Don't tell me you can't find a job for over a year....Bullshit. You are a worthless man who would let his family live like that while you laid around on the couch scratching your ass in those stained tighty whiteys. What kind of husband does not go gather buggies or rack leaves, or take your ass to Labor Finders (Yes I have worked at Labor Finders before)and shoveled dirt for money. No you chose to be a bum. And lady, you get a pass because you have all those kids to take care of, but you can't take a damn wash rag and wash the 4 years of dirt off the side of your house? You can't say NO every now and then to your bum husbands penis. You are not horny teens anymore, but you choose to keep producing kids who will never have the support or guidance to do anything but follow in your footsteps. YES I DO agree with the liberals on the fact that you can't expect a kid living in these conditions to just ace their way into a college scholarship. You people should be prosecuted for child abuse. So you two overweight slackers who just keep popping out innocent babies, want someone to bail you out. Forget the fact that this is not 1810. We know the world is tough...we know what causes babies....we know what responsibility is...but yet you have decided to sit on your fat ass while the rest of us work like dogs and make responsible decisions to now come to your rescue. Don't worry....I am there for you. You just call me up the next time you drop those fruit of the looms and I will drive over and kick you right in the nuts you sorry excuse for a parent. Maybe this is strong but let me just say that until we start holding people accountable....kids will continue to suffer the same inexcusable life that these idiots have given these precious kids.
I say NO...and I know that sucks for the 3 kids in this story, but I refuse to be a part of condoning this bullshit. Get up and act like a man...a father...and most of all a proud American.
11/24/10
10/30/10
9/29/10
I Need a Blog assistant! Please Help!!!
OK....sitting here tonight, I realized 1 thing:
1. I am Registered Dietitian with a BA in public relations from the University of South Alabama and a BS in food and nutrition from Auburn University.......an honor student of the highest grade....graduate from the dietetic internship of the prestigious West Virginia University Hospital....A member of Pi Kappa Phi and all around good guy with a crappy managers job. Bottom line is I CAN'T SPELL worth a SH*&T! I hen peck on the keyboard and I have little time to spare from my sole sucking job. That being said....consider this a job announcement...NEEDED....One free talented typer, with time on your hands and an e-mail address and free cell phone minutes, to assist me in posting on the Nanner Stand. Team concept and ability to not critique my insanity a must. Please aplly through the comment section of this post. Must be willing to organize pictures and assist with design.
So, if you would like to join the homeless, yet beautiful, staff of the Nanner Stand.....please apply today. Experience preferred but not required.
The Mobile List......Everyone has an opinion
On my way home tonight, I heard yet another "Top Ten" list on the radio. It never fails that every year there must be 1000 "Best of" or Greatest of all time" lists to generate even more water cooler conversation. Well what the Hell....put down that J90 inventory report and get your squatty ass down to the Kentwwod bubbler and discuss.....
TOP 10 NOTABLE / INFAMOUS MOBILIANS OF ALL TIME!
1. Leon Raley...the foot shuffling, is he homeless or just a ZZ top fan, paper totting, wanna-be mayor of Mobile.
2. The blunt smoking, gun toting, over tanned, meet my lawyer over chips and salsa, Oh my back hurts give me a white sunshine 700 mg...Steve "The Hammer" Nodine.
3. Lamar Wilson "The Peanut Man"...nuff said! dedication...dedication...how the Hell did he survive for all those years on 50 cent bags of stale nuts?
4. The Bay Bears roach....The day he actually beat the kid to home plate and did a victory dance.....funny! The night me and the roach (not in costume) got tossed from a local dance club for throwing couch cushions into the crowd and "Flash-dancing" on chairs....Priceless!
5. Mike "The pimp of all pimps" Dow.....better known as...simply....THE MAYOR!
6. Joe Drews.....The man behind the legend......or just the #5's driver. Nothing like getting a police style escort from the civic center to Heroes sports bar while driving an illegal golf cart down city streets.
7. Fred "Hollywood" Barkley.....the legend of cougar hunting! The man pulls in some 85 year old millionaire action and is arrested this week on stealing a BBQ grill!! The man transcends normal life and is a living character from the next Jimmy Buffet novel.
8. THE SCOOTER PUMP...that's right....this space on our list is reserved not for the man but the one most identifiable sound across the radio waves.....WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. The scooter pump will live forever in this town and should be the entrance chime for every gas Spur station, city complex building and the Mobile sports hall of fame. Just before I take my last breath.....I will give you guys one last Scooter Pump! WOOOOOO
9. Lee Shervanian....You free meal eating...candy sucking Armenian from way back....The man is not only the voice of Mobile sports, but part of the worst 30 minutes in radio history...."2 Chics and Lee"
10. PUCK the mascot.......A man among boys!
Honorable mentions:
Fred "Moonpie" Richardson
Lillian "Loud-Mouth" Jackson
"He Gone" South Alabama baseball fan
The barber chair at the Garage
David Rasp of Heroes
Art Slack God Damnit
Sailor the bartender from the Garage
Kristie the DJ from the EXIT
Wayne Gardner
Neil McCready....(add Don, Issac and the wheal of meat)......this one was so hard to not put as #1 for me.
ARGUE....ENJOY...and please tell me who I missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UNTIL NEXT TIME........IGNORE THE SMALL PIECE OF PICKLED PIGS FEET IN MY MUSTACHE.
8/24/10
10 Creepy things
1. Shower shoes
2. Olan Mills photographers
3. Jean Shorts
4. Crusty heals
5. Pinky rings
6. A long pinky nail on a guy
7. Roadside shrimp sales
8. Gas station bathrooms
9. Beauty Queens
10. Neck fat
2. Olan Mills photographers
3. Jean Shorts
4. Crusty heals
5. Pinky rings
6. A long pinky nail on a guy
7. Roadside shrimp sales
8. Gas station bathrooms
9. Beauty Queens
10. Neck fat
8/23/10
Simple solutions to simple problems
Old Jimmy Joe is back! I can't resist getting the Stand back on track any more than Steve Nodine can fight the urge to lick the residue from an empty loritab bottle. I thought it would be a good warm up to start this plunge back into the cyber world with a simple list of responses to current events. I don't really keep abreast of the workings of the world beyond whether Brett Favre will play again this year or how many "Car-Jacking FREE" days Mobile can string together. The majority of my news comes from 106.5 on my daily commute. I hate to read anything over 500 words so I stick to really short articles in the Lagniappe, sound off or things overheard in line at the grocery store. So in an attempt to keep this short.....
1. Jersey Shore is an absolute obsession. Sorry but you know it is true. GTL...GFF..IFF my smosh fanatics!
2. I think the government should give childless couples a tax credit. I am less of a drain on resources.
3. BP is never going to pay you people so just find something else to do.
4. The city is cracking down (supposedly) on the homeless and all this change begging.....Is it possible we could use some of that effort to stop all the people doing the same in front of every grocery store and at every stop light on the weekends. If you don't have enough money for your kid to play little league then don't sign them up....and no I do not want to fund your mission trip because the old collection plate was a little light this year. Begging is begging!
5. My satellite TV has 700 channels devoted to infomercials...I thought people were broke.
6. I never vote...There I said it
7. Are we still at war with someone...if so...who exactly are we fighting now?
8. By the time Mobile gets an airplane contract....we will be using teleportation devices.
9. I have fired so many people this year, I should have my own show.
10. Yes the lady at the gas station on Hillcrest is high as a kite!
2. The constitution...need I say this one more time...is outdated. I know that is controversial, but you can't build an Islamic golden dome of worship on this location....End of story. When did common sense and a backbone get replaced with stupidity. While we are talking about it....No you can't go through the express lane with 35 items. No you can't buy Marlboros with pennies and nickles while 6 people wait in line. NO you can't just drive in any direction across a parking lot. NO you can't just leave your buggy in the parking space next to you. NO spandex and a T-shirt is not a good choice for you.
Well that's it for now....and remember vampires are NOT real!
1. Jersey Shore is an absolute obsession. Sorry but you know it is true. GTL...GFF..IFF my smosh fanatics!
2. I think the government should give childless couples a tax credit. I am less of a drain on resources.
3. BP is never going to pay you people so just find something else to do.
4. The city is cracking down (supposedly) on the homeless and all this change begging.....Is it possible we could use some of that effort to stop all the people doing the same in front of every grocery store and at every stop light on the weekends. If you don't have enough money for your kid to play little league then don't sign them up....and no I do not want to fund your mission trip because the old collection plate was a little light this year. Begging is begging!
5. My satellite TV has 700 channels devoted to infomercials...I thought people were broke.
6. I never vote...There I said it
7. Are we still at war with someone...if so...who exactly are we fighting now?
8. By the time Mobile gets an airplane contract....we will be using teleportation devices.
9. I have fired so many people this year, I should have my own show.
10. Yes the lady at the gas station on Hillcrest is high as a kite!
2. The constitution...need I say this one more time...is outdated. I know that is controversial, but you can't build an Islamic golden dome of worship on this location....End of story. When did common sense and a backbone get replaced with stupidity. While we are talking about it....No you can't go through the express lane with 35 items. No you can't buy Marlboros with pennies and nickles while 6 people wait in line. NO you can't just drive in any direction across a parking lot. NO you can't just leave your buggy in the parking space next to you. NO spandex and a T-shirt is not a good choice for you.
Well that's it for now....and remember vampires are NOT real!
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