Hello Recreation Department

And another thing....

 

Haven’t noticed the Recreation Dept.’s weekly advertisement in the Tunica Times telling us what is going on this week at the Rec.  We are watching you too, Billy Willis.

Hello GreenTech

It is my understanding that the requirements stated in the MS State Economic Development documents between our state and GreenTech require GreenTech to have built their plant in Tunica County on the “Metro Mega Site” and to employ 350 employees by 31 Dec 2014.  If I am wrong about this, someone please correct me.

Assuming this is correct information Tunica, let’s not be fooled again.  If by chance GreenTech manages to build their plant by 31 Dec 2014, they could employ 350 people on the morning of 31 Dec 2014 and lay them off on 1 Jan 2015..  We need to hold these folks feet to the fire and make sure they do the right thing by us.  We are all tired of game playing. 

In the meantime, what can we do to help ourselves?  If you would like to be employed by GreenTech, make sure you take the required courses that have been discussed by Tunica Economic Development and our Board of Supervisors.  Show that you are willing and able to do what is required to get a good paying job. 

What can the Board of Supervisors do to help the community?  If any of the Executive Sessions being held between you and Lyn Arnold are concerning an already approved project such as GreenTech, have your discussions in an open meeting.  Each and every time the Board enters into Executive Session with Economic Development, I personally am not trustful. 

Let’s take the politics out of the GreenTech discussion.  There has been enough politics from both sides concerning GreenTech.  What I care about is this plant being built as promised; Tunicans getting jobs and GreenTech contributing to the economy of Tunica County, MS.  We are watching you GreenTech.  Just because we are southern does not mean we have “stupid” stamped on our foreheads.

Refund from Cigna

Did you hear President Obama yesterday?  The President talked about all of the good things the Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare) has already accomplished for the American people. 

One of the benefits of AHA is an annual refund to the policy holder of money the insurance company did not spend on the policy holder's healthcare.  This means that the insurance company has to spend 80% of the premium on health services or return the difference to the policy holder.  In this case, this money would be returned to Tunica County.  If money is not coming back to the County, Cigna would have to send a letter stating such and telling why.

Last year, Tunicans for Transparency in Government asked how much money Cigna returned to the County.  The Board of Supervisors didn't know and the County Administrator indicated we did not get any money back.  So, we asked to see the letter from Cigna.  Took a bit to get it and after reading this letter and rereading the section of the AHA pertaining to this requirement, our Committee decided what was stated in the 2012 letter had nothing to do with our County.

Later, and after a bit more work, we learned that we are in fact not self-insured.  Wonder what is going to happen this year?  Refund, no refund, song and dance.  Just saying.

Overturn Citizens United

I have just created a petition asking Rep. Bennie Thompson to sign-on as a co-sponsor of an amendment to the Constitution that will effectively overturn the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case. 

The decision in the Citizens United case allowed the rich and foreigners to contribute money to our elections without disclosing their identities. 

Please visit my Facebook page for the link to the petition.  If you agree, add your name to the petition.

Thanks.

Audit: Component Units

It has come to my attention that additional information needs to be published about where we are in the auditing process that is being conducted by the independent auditor.  To the best of my knowledge the Component Units are now being investigated.  Those Component Units are:

Tunica County Airport Commission
Tunica County Arena and Expo Center
Tunica County Museum, Inc.
Tunica National Public Improvement District
Tunica County Public Projects, Inc.
Tunica County Tourism Commission
Tunica County Utility District

3 Jun 2013 Board of Supervisors' Meeting: Grand Oak Subdivision

Yesterday's meeting was a record setter in length.  Before we get started on the above subject, kuddos go out to the 3 new Supervisors (Nickson, Daley and Williams) for insisting Tunica County move forward and voting for the same.  It took Mr. Nickson raising his voice and pounding on the table and insisting on a vote and not another "tabling until".  Thanks to the three of you.

Grand Oak Subdivision took up quite a bit of time and this is not the first time this issue has been brought before the Board. 

What is happening over there?  It seems that some homes were built on a "hill" overlooking homes below and thus causing the lower homes to flood when the retention pond is full.  In the Delta, if a home is built on a "hill", land had to be moved to create this "hill."

Let's cut to the chase: Pull the original records: survey, building permits, ... all of it.  Find the error(s) and make the corrections.  If the error(s) lie with the developer, tell him to fix it.  If the error(s) lie with the County, fix it and make sure this never happens again.

Social Security Information

The following is information I just received from "Social Security Works."  As many of you know, I have signed and have asked many of you to sign a petition to remove the cap from Social Security earnings.  To me, this just makes sense.

Here you go:

The annual Social Security Trustees Report is in and it shows that Social Security's surplus is large and growing, and can pay out 100% of promised benefits through 2033.

On 1 Jun 2013, Social Security’s board of trustees will release their annual report on the financial outlook of Social Security’s trust fund, and it will find that the surplus is continuing to grow and will be around $2.8 trillion in 2013.

Social Security will take in more money than it pays out, roughly $40 billion more in 2013—and cannot by law contribute to the deficit.

"It’s the rest of the retirement system that’s in crisis. Traditional pension protections are greatly diminished, housing is down, health care costs are up and 401k plans are unreliable. With over half of working-age American households unable to maintain their standard of living in old age, we need to focus on expanding Social Security—not cutting it."

If you agree, write to your Senators and Representatives in Congress.