Does your paycheck add up? Federal survey puts average Grand Rapids pay at $18.91

Does your paycheck add up? Federal survey puts average Grand Rapids pay at $18.91
"Public-school teachers topped the hourly pay scale of surveyed occupations at $50.01."

And the median household income in Muskegon is $38,000.

Teachers pay and total compensation is WAY out of line. With summers off, dudes!

We pay. They take!

Governor Granholm's insurance advocate proposes big changes to lower rates

Governor Granholm's insurance advocate proposes big changes to lower rates
"Hollowell says urban motorists in particular are being penalized for where they live and said regulators should have the authority to block rate increases before they go into effect and to order consumer refunds.

Mona Shores Bond issue meeting rescheduled for THIS Thursday!

It's YOUR money folks!

Bond issue meeting rescheduled
"MONA SHORES -- An informational meeting about Mona Shores Public Schools' upcoming bond issue originally planned for tonight has been rescheduled.
The forum will be 7 p.m. Feb. 5 in the media center of Lincoln Park Elementary, 2951 Leon.
On Feb. 24, voters will be asked to keep the current millage rate at or near its current 4.3 mills and extend it two years through 2019.
School officials are asking for $13 million for improvements districtwide, but with many upgrades to the middle and high schools.
The issue is not an additional tax for voters; without the public's approval, officials estimate the tax gradually will be reduced to 2.3 mills by the time it expires.
ON THE 'NET:
Details about the bond and proposed improvements can be found at www.monashores.net/proposedbond2009."

Mona Lake Park set for renovation

Mona Lake Park set for renovation
"A multimillion-dollar renovation of Mona Lake Park, which will include construction of a 400-seat conference center, is expected to begin in May.
The project is being paid for with state and federal grants, said Reatha Anderson, director of planning and community development for the city of Muskegon Heights. The city already has received $629,000 in grant dollars for the renovations."

Coal utility plants may take their lumps as Granholm touts alternative power

Coal utility plants may take their lumps as Granholm touts alternative power
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm wants to make it harder for utilities to justify building new coal-fired power plants, encouraging them to instead rely on more energy conservation.
.....Four companies have proposals before the state Department of Environmental Quality to build coal plants in Bay County's Hampton Township, Holland, Midland and Rogers City. The 800-megawatt Bay County plant would be an addition to the Consumers Energy Karn-Weadock complex, and cost upwards of $2 billion."

This woman is killing our state!

Valentine to face unemployed voters

White Lake Beacon: "Representative to meet with constituents

Michigan State Representative Mary Valentine (91st District) will meet with constituents on Monday, Feb. 9, at the White Lake Community Library, 3900 White Lake Drive, Whitehall.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m."

Spartan football signs 23 recruits for 2009

Spartan football signs 23 recruits for 2009
"The group is hailed by some as the best at MSU in nearly a decade. Rivals.com ranks it No. 14 in the nation, while recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CSTV ranks it No. 2 in the Big Ten, behind only Ohio State."

A tale of two campaigns: Holly Hughes spent her own money; Mary Valentine relied on groups

A tale of two campaigns: Holly Hughes spent her own money; Mary Valentine relied on groups
"The Valentine campaign accepted a total of $51,000 from self-identified political action committees and $79,125 from labor unions or other special interest groups."

President Obama to water down 'Buy American' plan after EU trade war threat

President Obama to water down 'Buy American' plan after EU trade war threat
"The European Union warned the US yesterday against plunging the world into depression by adopting a planned “Buy American” policy, intensifying fears of a trade war.
The EU threatened to retaliate if the US Congress went ahead with sweeping measures in its $800 billion (£554 billion) stimulus plan to restrict spending to American goods and services.
Gordon Brown was caught in the crossfire as John Bruton, the EU Ambassador to Washington, said that “history has shown us” where the closing of markets leads — a clear reference to the Depression of the 1930s, triggered by US protectionist laws."

Barry is turning out to be far dumber, faster than anyone had imagined!

Pensions and Promises

Pensions and Promises
"A pension war is brewing — and it's likely to pit state and municipal employees against citizens who foot the bill for government pension plans with their state tax dollars."

WELL, SURE, WHEN YOU PUT IT THAT WAY, it doesn’t sound so good

WELL, SURE, WHEN YOU PUT IT THAT WAY, it doesn’t sound so good

At the dawn of the Obama Administration we have witnessed: four high-level appointees blow up over various issues, tax and otherwise (Richardson, Daschel, and Killefer get axed; Geitner stays); the appointment of at least 12 lobbyists to positions in the Administration — in direct contradiction of campaign promises; a pork-laden economic stimulus bill without precedent in US history; and the reversal of campaign positions concerning controversial policies like rendition.
But hey, it’s only been two weeks."

Join Chronicle Publisher/Editor Paul Keep online Thursday to talk about The Chronicle

Join Chronicle Publisher/Editor Paul Keep online Thursday to talk about The Chronicle
"Join Chronicle Publisher/Editor Paul Keep online for a live chat at noon Thursday, Feb. 5.

He will discuss the state of the newspaper, the reasons for our recent changes, what the future holds and whatever other topics you might think important.

Join us at noon Feb. 5 on mlive.com/muskegon"

Use this link:
http://www.mlive.com/muskegon/

This might be easier for Paul if we were allowed/encouraged to submit some questions in advance.

Feel free to submit them here (in the comments section) and I'll forward to Mr Keep.

Passengers stop flight after 'drunk' pilot sparks panic

Passengers stop flight after 'drunk' pilot sparks panic
"Aeroflot representatives boarded the aircraft to try to calm down the 300 passengers.
One sought to reassure them by announcing that it was 'not such a big deal' if the pilot was drunk because the aircraft practically flew itself."

Obama spokesman defends ethics standards

Obama spokesman defends ethics standards
"'The bar that we set is the highest that any administration in the country has ever set.'
During a briefing filled with questions about Tom Daschle's decision to withdraw from consideration to be Health and Human Services secretary"

Another one bites the dust; Part 2

Barbara Walters Under Impression Palin Actually Said ‘I Can See Russia From My House’

Barbara Walters Under Impression Palin Actually Said ‘I Can See Russia From My House’

What a dufuss!

Colleges, universities cringe at governor's request to freeze tuition again

Colleges, universities cringe at governor's request to freeze tuition again
"GVSU President Thomas Haas said a further drop in state funding would hurt students. His school's tuition has increased 42 percent since 2004, in part because state aid has been mostly flat or declining.
This year, GVSU raised tuition $1,000, a 13-percent hike -- the largest in its history"

Absolutely NO mention of teacher and staff pay and benefit increases!

It's like that has NO affect on student/parent tuition!

Our "what, me worry" liberal media.

Always asking the TOUGH questions...with such amazing insight!

yeah right.....

Muskegon County Commission Citizen Action ToolkitCitizen Toolkit

Muskegon County Commission Citizen Action Toolkit!

If you are interested in learning about how our Muskegon county government works, it helps to attend the county commission meetings.

If you want to see "change you can believe in", you need to provide your own citizen input.

Or it will continue to be the same old, same old.

Here is a "toolkit" of links you can use to see what happened last time and what will be discussed at the next meetings.

All meetings are held in the Board of Commissioner's Room:
4th Floor of the Hall of Justice (County building)
990 Terrace Street, M
Muskegon, MI
3:30 p.m sharp!

Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance website:
http://muskegontaxpayers.blogspot.com/

Agenda for full County Commission Board meeting:
http://co.muskegon.mi.us/boardofcommissioners/board_agendas.cfm

Past minutes:
http://co.muskegon.mi.us/boardofcommissioners/board_minutes.cfm

Standing committee minutes and agendas:
http://co.muskegon.mi.us/boardofcommissioners/committees.htm

Future meeting schedules:
http://co.muskegon.mi.us/boardofcommissioners/meetings.htm

http://co.muskegon.mi.us/boardofcommissioners/meetings.pdf

Be an educated citizen!

"It's the SPENDING Stupid!"

"The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." -Patrick Henry, revolutionary (1736-1799)

2005 memories of millage: Mona Shores to replace 600 computers - Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com

Mona Shores to replace 600 computers
"The district plans to replace 600 desktop computers in labs districtwide this summer, completing improvements funded with a 0.65-mill, $4.2 million bond issue approved by voters in 2005."

Jackson-area resale stores expect problems from new federal rule governing lead levels

Jackson-area resale stores expect problems from new federal rule governing lead levels
"Most resale and thrift stores have their own standards for the quality and condition of items they accept.
A new consumer-protection law will require them to enforce standards for children's items they can't easily determine"

Alinski's Rules: Must Reading In Obama Era

Alinski's Rules: Must Reading In Obama Era
"What was Saul Alinsky's model that Barack Obama used so successfully to defeat the Clinton machine plus the Republican Party in a dramatic one-two punch never before seen in politics?"

Another one bites the dust

Official: Performance czar withdraws candidacy
"Nancy Killefer, who failed for a year and a half to pay employment taxes on household help, has withdrawn her candidacy to be the first chief performance officer for the federal government, the White House said Tuesday."

Does Barry Hussein know of ANYONE who isn't a cheat?

Taxing drivers on miles driven could raise more for road repairs

Taxing drivers on miles driven could raise more for road repairs
"An estimated $3.4 billion is spent each year on the 121,000 miles of local, state and federal roads that cobweb across Michigan. Experts say Michigan ought to be spending $6 billion.
'We need to find another source of funding,' said Bill Shreck, director of communications with the state Department of Transportation."

Does anyone notice that every time an "expert" is quoted by any government flack and reported by their comrades in the liberal media, the expert ALWAYS says we (TAXPAYERS!) are not paying enough?

I suppose any "expert" that suggested the state has enough money wouldn't find to many jobs as an "expert".

And don't ya love the "we need to find another source of funding" synonym from the guys who spent all the money?

Perilous State

Perilous State
"State pension plans are woefully underfunded. Taxpayers may get the tab."

"Taxpayers MAY get the tab"???????

Who the heck else is gonna pay for the teachers and state employees pensions???????

Gimme a break....

Pensions tax public's patience

Pensions tax public's patience
"The National Bureau of Economic Research revealed, 'the value of pension promises already made by U.S. state governments will grow to approximately $7.9 trillion in just 15 years.'"

This is money taken from "the rest of us" (that's you and me) and delivered to teachers, and state, county and local retirees.

So they can retire at 48 years old with FULL benefits and pensions. And they go up every year! How nice ...... for them.

More for them.

Less for us.

The power of their big unions bosses.

Isn't it time we contacted our state reps and county commissioners?