What a great day to live in Mississippi....

Just when I think things can't get more out of hand in Memphis, like the Mayor resigining NOT!

Yesterday day was a varitable cornikp...ah...Kurnoc....wait...cronaco....hell, a lot of stuff happened....

The Mayor announced that, despite nearly $70m in cash reserves, he needed another 17% property tax increase to fund a budget which cut out 5 libraries and 4 community centers. It also adds 500 new cops, however thanks to city council, they must live within the city limits. What he didn't cut was the raises he already gave his staff, the 200+ newly appointed positions he has created, HIS OWN RAISE, the gifts to LeMoyne Owen, or dozens of other special interest gifts.

The mayor put it straight..."the peoples needs to just accept that taxes are going up and services are going down"....he blames it on the economy.

Really?

What about the first 14 years of his reign, when the economy was going gang busters, and yet in Memphis, services went down and taxes went up.

In a side story, the School Board no-showed for the City Council meeting to explain how they spend the $100m the city gives them.

Now you guys in the county may think this last little bit doesn't affect you, but just wait. When this little pissing match escalates, and the city pulls it's $100m from the schools (which it can do), then they will come back to the county for the money. And the county will then have to raise that money, but not just the $100m, but $150m, because they have to match 50% to the county schools.

On final note, a recent survey of sales in my neighborhood show that, despite the current housing market, my home is up 15% of the original purchase price, and I pay less than 1/2 the property taxes for twice as much house, and 5x as much land.

Oh, and when I call for the police, they actually show up.