Howdy honeybunch, things seem to be moving along here in the Asylum by the Sea – some people hate when Cobina uses that line. She uses “God’s Li’l Acre,” too, like the book in the 1950s, but that seems to us to be a bit presumptuous at times when one looks at the way this place is run…and has been for about 100 years.
So, anyways, thing around here seem to be getting outta the pandemic stage and moving in fits and starts into a more “normal” way of doing things. Oh, there are those that don’t wanna give up the power they’ve had or the control – people love control, especially politicians and bureaucrats, and we’ve had a ton o’ those types lordin’ over us over the last little while.
But it seems that whilst they won’t be the ones to admit it – at least not in public – there are political forces at work that seem to show the Blue States’ ruling parties are seeing the handwriting on the wall in November. At least on the national side there will be a shellacking or two – one hopes. Meanwhile, people have had jest about enuff. And effen yew consider what went on in Virginia and elsewhere, our Demmie overlords seem to see John and Jane Q. have had it up to their bicuspids.
The geezer in the White House, when he has a lucid moment, don’t like the fack that people are moving away from his and his bureaucracies’ diktats, but that snowball has begun the roll and won’t stop until the trip is over. Meanwhile, who’d have thunk that placid Canada was gonna be a call for people down here and in Europe to rattle the chains the politicos wanna keep us in. That, m’dear has had a lot to do with things in the lower 48.
Meanwhile, here in our part of the universe, John Carrano and Ray Collins of the Police Commish have rattled chains or cages, but they seem to waking people up to the fack that our little berg doesn’t hafta have a ‘Defund the Police” movement, it’s been goin’ on for some time, and it’s time to change course.
Carrano put it to the City Council in no uncertain terms that the city’s PD is losing people left and right, and will be well below the optimum number of 121 before long. The problem is one that has been talked about – but not seriously – for a few years. Carrano’s speech changed all that.
We’re losing constables to other towns cuz we’re way behind in salary and benefits as far as it goes. Those we do hire soon fine greener pastures and head there, but our taxpayers foot the bill for the training and equipment, only to have the hire move to another town.
Sooooo, something has to be done and done quickly – but not too quickly. As we’ve learned in other isshews over the years, haste makes bad decisions. This has to be done deliberately and cautiously with a long-range plan. The constables’ contrack is up at the end of the fiscal year, and some changes can be made, but reinstituting a pension instead of a 401k and making other decisions will have be done according to a plan. Let’s see if we have the guts to pull it off.
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Cobina is gonna ask the question again, and hope she gits an answer. In fack, she has two questions now. With the planned demolition of the Savin Rock Conference Center in the near future, we’re still wondering about what will happen to the Savin Rock Museum? It’s an attraction for those who traverse the walk/bike path in warmer seasons and people git a kick outta seeing things from our days as an amusement park locale. So, what’s gonna happen to that?
The next query is related. One of the things that has been worked on for a couple o’ decades is trying to git a Savin Rock-style carousel in the area. It was planned to be an adjunct to that building. Now, it’s had its problems, but there is still a committee to look into getting a carousel. Where is that pavilion gonna be put with the new plans?
It would seem a good question to ask at this pernt before things go too far afield. We can’t wait to hear what those in charge might have to offer.
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I guess this comes under the heading of “Why is Anyone Surprised,” but it seems that our recent problems with federal COVID funds possibly being misused or put into dummy corporations ain’t unique. Some very thoughtful criminal-types have been doing setch things all over the country, and, of course, the media is treating it like somebody kicked an old lady or something.
Once yew put that much money out there, there’s gonna be some nefarious types who’re gonna play the system and figger out ways to make some filty lucre. And don’t thing for a minute there all gonna git caught. Some might, most won’t. An audit will be made and headlines will report that billions have been abused. After that? Crickets.
So, here in our little community a committee has been set up, and from the looks of it, it seems they’re gonna try to put some guardrails up to make sure the nefarious types think twice. Unfortunately, it was a reactive response, based on some unfortunate events last fall.
It’ll be interesting to see how things work out as new projects and new requests come in. We don’t usually hold out much hope for these types of committees, but we’ll keep our powder dry till we see how things are done.
Sammy Bluejay was her t’other afternoon and was waxing how the names on the committee show that herronner means business and will keep a lid on anything untoward going on as we “move forward.” Sammy is always a bit more optimistic about these things than Cobina, but ya gotta admire his attitude. We shall see.
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Hard to believe that Beth Sabo, the young gal who came into city government so many years ago is retiring. There are some people who seem to be around forever, and who do whatever they’re asked to do. She is one o’ them. Over the years she’s worn more hats than you’ll find in Delmonico’s in the Elm City. Administrations have depended on her, and she’s done it all
There was a time when special projects were handled by the likes of Mary Tracy and Dodie Ireland. When they left the scene, yew always wonder effen someone will pick up the slack left by people like that. Well, with the retirement of Sabo, one wonders exackly that. Whenever there was a projeck to be done, Sabo was behind it or had a big part to play in it. Who’s gonna pick up the slack?
I guess we’ll find out soon enuff. Have a great retirement, Beth, and keep in touch.
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Nelly Nuthatch came over t’other afternoon and mentioned that the General Assembly was starting its session this week. This is always a trying time for Cobina, hon. Yew never know what that bunch will do, but they will DO something. Y’see that’s the mantra: At least we’re DOING something. Words that should send a chill down everyone’s spine.
Whenever politicos say they want to do something it usually means spending money or creating a new bureaucracy, which includes spending money. Over the years we’ve come to believe that it’s all like a board game to some o’ these politicos. They just don’t think of our tax dollars as real money or that there might be a bottom to that money well. Certainly, the fack that we’ve lost thousands of people to red states doesn’t seem to bother them, they just keep on keeping on.
So, brace yourself, hon. The thieves are back in session and will do what they always do…and, of course, it’s all for our benefit. Piffle.
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With that bit o’ chatter I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,