Paid up

Mell paid his back taxes, which is good. It might be wise for Mell, politically, to issue a mea culpa. Something on the grounds of how every citizen should pay their taxes on time if they are capable and he, especially, should have known better as a city commissioner who watches over others taxes.

Taggart's internship

Taggart is certainly qualified and would likely do a great job as intern for Cowley First. The concern, though, is the appearance of favoritism and deal-making. It looks little insider trading. The question for Wall, County Adminstrator LeRoy Alsup and other elected officials who oversee Cowley First is .... is employing Taggart and fostering some suspicion worth it? Also, it does not appear that the position was advertised to see who else might be qualified out there who is not an elected official.

Arrest secrecy

For some reason, Kansas officials are scared to release the subpoenas officials file to get arrest warrants to the public. Most states do this, and it shines light on what law enforcement is doing to justify arresting citizens. But Kansas is being mossback on this and sticking to secret ways that engender distrust and distance between authorities and citizens.

The media and other first amendment interests will keep fighting for this, I'm sure.

Mell taxes

This one leaves me almost speechless ....

Almost

What kind of example does this set when an elected officials is dismissive of deadlines for paying taxes? Guess we can all just pay our water bills when we feel like it.

Beer-alalah

Commission approved the beer garden. Churches pretty quiet about this deal. We'll see if any boycott the parade again.

Hospital humming along

Hospital took a big step today with sale of bonds and hiring of designer-contractor. There are big hopes for this project, both in terms of better health and economic development, and I don't see why they won't be realized. Not to mention a nice economic stimulus (created right here at home) when construction starts.

Health care craziness

I don't understand all this nuttiness over health care and the criticism of Obama. It's become clear that you can't pass a plan with a public-run insurance plan in the Senate, where you need 60 votes. Obama recognizes this, and liberals go crazy , adding to the craziness of the hard right, which is just mad in general that a Democrat is in charge (not to the mention general discontent across the country about the recession, unemployment, etc.) Our former governor says the media is creating the story, which holds some truth because Obama has never said the public option is a make or break thing.