Where have you been?

The Public Hearing on the 2012-2013 Tunica County Budget brought lots of folks to the Courthouse last Thu, 30 Aug 2012. Most likely it was the advertised tax increase of 15.83%.


First, I must say, I don't think the amount of this increase is legal. I do believe our taxes may not be increased more then 3-5% per year...don't have confirmation on that yet. What I do know is that I have heard this 3-5% come out of Clifton Johnson's mouth at previous meetings.

And that's the point...where have you all been? A very few of us have been faithfully attending the Board of Supervisors' Meetings. We've been digging up information, sending letters, writing reports and making requests. Has this threat of a huge increase in your taxes moved you to action?

This debt has been piling on at an accelerated rate since the former Board of Supervisors agreed to approve the Schultz and GreenTech Projects. What have these projects done for the citizens of our County? During the approval process we asked if provisions were being made to "hire Tunicans first." Clifton Johnson told us if you can read and write and pass a drug test, you could get a job at these plants. Really?

This year our debt service for all projects was projected to be $3.417M and next year's projected debt service is being budgeted at $4.580M. Not exactly what you were told at the meeting is it?

And the Sheriff's budget: Why is it going up $350K?

And the Health Insurance: Why is it going up $200K? Did you think we would forget about this one Clifton?

And Adolescent Offenders: Why is it going up $73K? Anybody looking at what they are spending on food?

And Garbage and Solid Waste: Why is it going up $70K?

And then there is Tunica RiverPark and Tunica National: Together these two facilities are being budgeted to cost Tunicans about $2M with zero revenue coming back to the County. That's the facts.

Now to the emotions tied to these projects. I understand some folks in Tunica want to keep these facilities open. So, how do you intend to pay for them? What do you suggest if you don't want them closed? We can't afford them. We can at least agree on that. Personally, I don't want to pay a tax increase to keep facilities open that don't have a prayer of turning a profit or even breaking even.

And why was Tunica National built in the first place? Looks to me like Tunica National was built so the new subdivision behind it could be advertised as “Golf Course Living.” If the developers want it, let them pay for it. That’s my idea, what’s yours?

One final thought, please don't blame the new members of the Board of Supervisors for the mess they were left. These new Supervisors didn't vote for these plants and projects. The last Board of Supervisors couldn't even come to an agreement on redistricting and they made the conscious decision to pass that work onto this new Board too. You can rightfully blame Dunn, Burnett and Johnson for this mess but not Nickson, Daley or Phillis Williams.

It's time for the truth...

Just can't let the lies about "you didn't build that" continue.  The GOP is taking out-of -context what President Obama said in Jul 2012 when he was talking about ...well read it for yourself.  We will all be better off and our Country will be better off if we find the truth in what we hear and read and not rely on politicians or talking head.  Here it is:

"If you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own. You didn't get there on your own. I'm always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something -- there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there.

If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business -- you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.

         The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative,
         but also because we do things together."
        

More from the Board of Supervisors' Meeting 15 Aug 2012

Next subject:  Redistricting.

Supervisor Dunn presented a company to help plan how Tunica County was going to come into compliance with the 2010 Census.

Supervisor Burnett said something about Dunn contacting this company without first getting permission from the rest of the BOS.  Are you kidding me?  Burnett you served on the former Board of Supervisors and you all elected to save this piece of business for the new Board.  What have you done to help move this County forward?  Did you do any research or make any presentations? 

The answer is no.  You do nothing but take-up space at the Board of Supervisors' table.  When you don't get your way, you raise your voice.  You are not earning the money Tunica County is paying you.

Still Asking...Why is MS a Red State?

And...reason #3 not to vote for the Romney/Ryan ticket.


It happened in March 2012.  On 13 Mar 2012 Romney was quoted as saying: "Planned Parenthood.  We're going to get rid of that."

On 20 Mar 2012, President Obama was quoted as saying: "If you truly care about families, you shouldn't play politics with a woman's health."

Remember all of the outcry about defunding Planned Parenthood?  Some of those voices came from MS.

To recap:

1. Paul Ryan is the lead dog for Personhood legislation and MS voted against Personhood.
2. Paul Ryan voted against the "Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act."
3. Mitt Romney has said he is "going to get rid of " Planned Parenthood.

So, why would MS support the Romney/Ryan ticket?

Board of Supervisors' Meeting: 15 Aug 2012 The Sheriff's Spending Habits

Apparently, Sheriff Hamp doesn't think he should be questioned by the Board of Supervisors as to whether his new hires are replacements or new employees.  Sheriff Hamp also doesn't like to be questioned about whether he is or is not within his budget.  In response to Supervior Dunn's questions, Hamp was heard to say something about not coming to the Board of Supervisors for more money since he has been the Sheriff of Tunica County.

Oh please.  Hamp, were you ever over budget?  I think I recall one of the former Supervisors asking you about this when referring to overtime for your staff.  Do this ring a bell Hamp?

How about this:  Technically, Emergency Management/Homeland Security (Dept 280) and the Sheriff's Department (200) are separate departments.  The water is muddied by the fact that the head of Emergency Management/Homeland Security is also your Chief Deputy.

So, let's deal in some facts:

Go back to Nov 2011.  Within the claims of Nov 2011 the Sheriff 's Department submitted two separate claims totalling $11,710.19.

Claim: 11316
Vendor: 3304 Gold Strike Casino
Invoice: 278-A
Date Paid: 30 Nov 2011
Fund-Dept-Objective: 001-200-476 (the 200 is the Dept. code for the Sheriff)
Description: Meals and Lodging
Amount: $5,738.94

Claim: 11316
Vendor: 3304 Gold Strike Casino
Invoice: 278A
Date Paid: 30 Nov 2011
Fund-Dept-Objective: 001-200-476 (the 200 is the Dept. code for the Sheriff)
Description: Meals and Lodging
Amount: $5,971.25

So, the Transparency Committee looked into this through the the MS State Auditor's office.  And this is what was found:

We were told by the State Auditor's Office that the County Administrator told the SAO these expenses were covered by 2 Homeland Security Grants; one in Jun 2011 and one in Aug 2011.  So, Hamp who gave you permission to spend Homeland Security Grant money and why was it charged to your account?

What makes me even more uncomfortable is that this money was spent in an election month at the Gold Strike Casino for meals and lodging.

Again...why is MS a Red State...

And...reason #2 not to vote for the Romney/Ryan ticket. 

Paul Ryan voted against the "Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act".  So, he doesn't think women should be paid fairly?

To recap:

1. Paul Ryan is the lead dog for Personhood legislation and MS voted against Personhood.
2. Paul Ryan voted against the "Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act."

So, why is MS considered a Red State?

How can MS be a "Red State" in 2012

Vacation is over....time to get back to work.

With the announcement of Paul Ryan as the Republican candidate for Vice-President, how in the world can MS vote Republican?

MS turned down the "Personhood" law in the last election and Paul Ryan is the national lead dog supporting "Personhood" legislation. 

Since MS turned down the "Personhood" law, why would we turn around and vote to put into office someone who supports what we have already said we don't want?