Whattsup, honeybunch? Here we are at the beginning of March already, and, judgin’ by the forecasts given by the people who do setch things for a living, March is coming in like a lamb, not that ferocious feline we have seen. That don’t mean that winter is gone. Nope. For the next little while we’re still in winter, and the chances of some “arctic blast” coming down from the nawth are perty good. In other words, Cobina ain’t puttin’ away the galoshes and fake-fur lining anytime soon. Heck, it don’t git warm around here until May, anyway.
With that said, we’ve had more snow since the last time we spoke, and lotsa rain. But, the snow is where we git in trouble around here. The costs to the city in removal are perty steep, and the fack that one or two of the storms have been on the weekend don’t help the municipal pocketbook, either. Sooooo, effen we have another “snow event” as it’s called nowadays, there might be some very smart checkin’ of the finances to see what might need to be moved, or what might need to be borrowed from. Stay tuned, it could be interesting. We didn’t really have major storms for a couple o’ years, and we were due. Well, we’ve paid in spades.
~~~
Speakin’ o’ budgets, Sammy Bluejay reminded Cobina that herroner is due to release her annual budget statement, and will probably do it in another virtual confab with the City Council. Whilst most places have started to open up jest a tad, City Hall is still open only to workers, and still only four days a week, with Fridays being for “deep cleaning,” no doubt.
Tennyrate, the City Charter – the old one as the new one was voted down – calls for the proposed budget to be made public this month, and then the entire “budget cycle” gits underway until a budget is finalized and voted in as an ordinance by the City Council by the foist Thursday in May. Soooo, we’ll be interested to see what herroner is proposing, and jest how much the increase in levies will be this year. Also, the amount o’ state aid we git, via the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) will be decreased rather significantly this year, methinks, which means the city won’t be able to count on as much cash as it has in the last three budgets.
We all know there is gonna be a mill increase cuz the MARB has mandated that the city’s mill rate has to be 40 by the end of the five-year plan imposed a bit more than three years ago. They still have the final say on things until setch time as they don’t, and taxpayers in the berg don’t have thing one to say about it.
Sammy sez he’ll be perched outside the spot where the mayor gives her address to the council, and will report back to Cobina what, if anything is of interest.
~~~
Nelly Nuthatch happened to around Savin Rock a few days ago, and fluttered here for tea afterwards. As yew know, the city is lookin’ to lease out the Savin Rock Conference Center to a vendor. The plans that have been bandied about concern a couple o’ restaurants and big improvements to the building. Also, the Savin Rock Museum will continue to be in the basement.
Some people have even noted the building should be taken down with a new one put up in its place. Well, Nelly was peering around and noted that effen something ain’t done soon, Mother Nature might help the building take itself down. A couple years ago, the city – in lieu of putting a new roof on the structure – opted to cover it in tarp.
Given the weather and the wind that is associated with Long Island Sound, long-term use of tarp on a roof is an iffy thing at best. Well, it wasn’t so iffy. The tarp has been peeling away from the roof and some of the shingles underneath are looking rather poorly. Effen something ain’t done and decisions made, there might not be any reason to worry about the building. Nelly admitted she ain’t a structural engineer, but things don’t look good up there, not by a long shot. If water starts gittin’ inside, there’ll be a lotta other decisions that will hafta be made besides who gets a lease.
~~~
As has been Cobina’s custom over the last few weeks, when I’ve been able to git the gassamobuggy out, I’ve been traversing the city to see what things are like. One of the places we go is the Haven location to see what is happening over there. As yew know – cuz I’ve told yew – there are three or so buildings down over there now, and things seem to be getting steadier in that regard. The snow can’t be makin’ it any easier.
That said, one wonders what the timetable is like. One would think over the next four or five weeks the weather will improve, and the demolitions get more on-going. We’re watching the progress, sweetie, cuz remember the announcement more than a year ago: You will be able to shop at the Haven in Christmas 2022!
The way things are going over there, I wouldn’t bet the mortgage on it. Nope.
~~~
Iva Lootey stopped by and we got to talkin’ about the sturm und drang that is in other venues concerning the opening of schools. Say what yew want about Gov. Ned Lamont – and there is plenty to say – the schools opening has been one of the successes of this almost-yearlong purgatory that we’ve all been through.
Here in our lit’le corner of the world, Superintendent Neil Cavallaro damned the torpedoes and went full speed ahead in opening the schools back in September. He had a few hiccups, and there was a bit of a hue and cry, but overall it’s been a success. Our kiddies are not gonna be as far behind as some communitie in the state – and certainly not as much as some states and regions of the country.
Whilst we might have distance learning on an irregular basis, one would think the daily use of it has held the kids back more than it’s helped them. We’ll find out soon enuff, and then the political ramifications of many decisions will be seen.
Just be happy we ain’t down the road apiece in the Empire State. Things down there are getting curiouser and curiouser by the day. It’s amazing how hubris comes back to bite politicos in the posterior. For it was hubris that had the Luv Guv’s assistant make that admission of holding back evidence – and then expeck that it wouldn’t git out. Oh, well. It’s fun watchin’ a sleeze git his just desserts.
~~~
What’s this “Connecticut Strain” of the China Virus we’re hearin’ about. Cobina was talking to the Wag and he mentioned a “Connecticut Strain.” Effen there is one thing this state don’t need is another virus named for it. Lyme Disease was certainly enough for anyone.
~~~
Finally, it seems that some people like to use social media to make untoward comments. What is it about these venues that people seem to lose all sense of propriety and common sense? It ain’t anything specific, but it jest seems like people lose their minds on these sites.
We ain’t ever been a bit fan of these things, and like I said, our editor is lessening his own memberships, canceling Facebook and other accounts. He don’t wanna be part of the crazy brigade that seems to dominate in those places.
~~~
With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,