EMPTY SEATS….EMPTY “PROMISES”….
Behind the green screen seen from home…a lone member of the audience sat with a reporter from the Pelican…this writer….
Is it apathy…or resignation of the status quo that kept the hall empty for this meeting…. this evening?…
John Thompson chose to forgo the podium this year….a fact this writer..as the lone LBTS voice at public comments ….(as he himself stood at alone…. not so many years ago)….acknowledged due to the Commission’s “deaf ears” in regard to questioning the budget or answering the questions…making the dais’ declaration to return to allowing non-residents the opportunity to speak…a mere gesture….nothing more…
LBTS will be at 3.9990 with 2.3 in the emergency funds….and a continuation of closely held “funds”…confusing departments…that skew the real numbers….and a hierarchy of protecting the “star”…with a guarantee of money for this and not for that…with nary a peep of confrontation …
Case in point…the Recreation Services/Children’s Center…….right up there with the McIntee Public Safety Complex….a pet project that was elevated through the back door…
The Town has a pool in front of the new McIntee Public Safety Complex…not much to look at….but now it is going to be a hub for activities…HMMM…
In the Aug-Sept. Town Topics …front page ….”Recreation Ideas Sought…asking for feedback from the residents on recreational activities they might like to see…such as swimming lessons”…
Fast forward to the final budget this evening…it’s a done deal…no discussion ….the Manager has been inquiring with the YMCA…and heard some seniors want aerobics…and so it will be!….
BCbythesea…although she was enthusiastic with this line item…she was less than thrilled with the Vice Mayor’s many attempts at humor ….saying the Manager should lead the senior women in their water aerobics classes…ala Sarah Palin humor….
The price tag …we have a $50 thousand dollar budget…which the Mayor wanted slashed to $15,000 ….for Recreation Services/Children’s Center but McIntee wanted it higher…$75 thousand…but he will “settle” for $60 thousand…WHAT?….
Sounding a lot like when he’s talking VFD…he’s not taking one penny away from the kids…he wants to increase it …for swimming…basketball…soccer…you name it…
Commissioner Silverstone teaches basketball…on Sat. mornings…how many kids……10….he needs a soccer coach….to which the Manager says…we have spent hundreds of thousands on a soccer field we never use….(and it is usually not mowed)…and now we will increase the budget for swimming …and a program that has not been voted on…or tested…YIKES!…
In other words…pet projects…are still on the table!….The increase…passes 3-2…Minnet and Clottey dissenting…
This after they chose to stick with the monies being cut from the Chamber….. a decrease to $27 thousand…….despite the Mayor trying to retain the $35 thousand by cutting down on the ground keeping hours that seemed excessive for the Chamber’s local……looked like old style politics to me….
BCbythesea… it was quite amusing …the Vice Mayor…didn’t buy the reduction in time spent by town employees for the Chamber saying…”Don’t want to take a chance on losing that showcase!”…OH BOY!…
Commissioner Dodd did try for 3.75…and a $1.8 million emergency fund…no takers…even the 2 Commissioners who were all for it 2 years ago…defending their “flip-flop” with their 2 years experience on the dais and the economic times….but he did get 5-0 on forgoing the Commissions 5% salary increase…and did announce that the Hillsboro Inlet budget was cut by 7%….
The Mayor was a wonder…. with a laundry list of items…cutting down here and there with amounts that could be going back into the Capital Improvement fund…up to $70 thousand dollars… but besides the dais declining the Commission’s 5% increase…that they all agreed to …..and $750 removed from Dues and Subscriptions…….anymore seems unlikely….TOO BAD….
Oh ….they touted the VFD…the fire assessment…the savings of the consultant fees…the reduction in the debt….but at the same time…coming up at the meeting that followed…approval of $12,800 for the VFD repairs… the VFD will be responsible for such repairs after the 1st…and the Town Atty. is to look into possible reimbursement from BSO…at his hourly rate $190….$7000 for Christmas By The Sea… not budgeted. at this evening’s special meeting……$1000 for Greenfest…from the “recycling fund”…a possible $2000+ for address…lifesaving poles on the beach….and a green light for the Town Attorney to look into the easement from Oriana….before the budget ink was dry….
So maybe those who stayed away….knew the writing was on the wall……..again this year…
more to come….
Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Scoops
