Good morning!!!!

[PJSprog]

...and sometimes the opposite is true. Our county has the lowest taxes in the region, and our schools are great. Just received the monthly newsletter from the county yesterday...another interesting thing reported was that our crime rate is the lowest it's been since 1975...and the clearance rate by law enforcement is the highest it's ever been. Several other superlatives were mentioned. Hate to be bragging on our county, but so often it seems like we don't get value for our taxes. I feel like our county government is the most efficient and is as well managed as possible. Unfortunately, out county administrator (CEO) is retiring in June, after 35 years.

I think that's probably true of most rural counties, wngsprd. Clinton County IL, in spite of being in a very "blue" state, is quite conservative, both politically and economically. We have good roads and good schools, and our taxes aren't anywhere approaching what some pay in cities. The sales tax alone at the McDonald's down the street here at work is 13% (?!), yet most of the concrete roads in north St. Louis City are little better than logging roads, and city schools are a mess every year, sometimes even failing state accreditation. We don't have those problems at home, and we don't have anywhere near the same tax base. Even in our towns, there hasn't been a murder in Trenton IL since 1977.

 

[PJSprog]

Virginia is exceptionally nice.

That's probably a big factor as well. There is a pride in Virginians that is not always found elsewhere.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Good morning to all! Low a new record of 8 degrees, but, going for 48 later... I hope so.

It is looking more promising for a white Christmas. I would like it here, but my daughter will be driving here from Colorado early Christmas day, then driving later that night down to the Denton Tx. area. That is way too much driving in foul weather.

Kyle, congrats on being a good shot! Glad you were able to find the rebel PePe.

Eric, what did you say?...... good luck hearing new things .... hopefully you will not regret getting them :shocked: .....

PJ, stay on the ground! We have a couple of the indoor climbing places here. We would respond 2 or 3 times a week (EMS) for injuries there. Everything from rope burns, abrasions, to broken backs. People think because it is indoors and a man made wall that it is safe.....

Wng, I can hear that saw calling all the way out here.... you better go calm it down with a strong grip....

Rick, I am just gonna have to come down there and get some seat time....

RNG, have fun on your trip. You are going to get spoiled staying in a fancy hotel. I bet you are going to get some looks going through the lobby. I would prefer the Mad Max look on my old leathers..... seemed to keep me out of trouble rather than getting into it.

Check, Jasper looks all set to go... by the way, wifey loves his name. We had a female Oorang Airedale, her name was Fiona. You would not be able to get the sweater on her, let alone the booties. She loved the snow... she would get snow dreadlocks on her legs.

We got all the errands done yesterday. Had to break it up into 2 trips so we could pick up Max from the groomer. He looks good, all set for the holidays. The son finished prepping and started painting the garage yesterday. Today I will get out and help him, at least a little bit.

Everyone have a great day! Prayers sent.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Forgot about Cassie, the little old lady, showing off her new hair style! She does not like it though!

 

[sodamo]

67°F and .21 inches rain

Picked up 36 80lb bags of Quik Crete yesterday. Two trips with Ridgeline due to the weight. Plan was to get home by 1 Pm with 2nd load and have time to mix. Didn’t happen. Hoping for dry enough morning.

Plumbing fix was pretty straight forward. Pipe broke when I accidentally nudged with my leg. Unfortunately I didn’t have the 1 1/4 inch fitting.
I’ll admit I’d rather do plumbing than concrete. Maybe getting old

Prayers for all
Be safe
Have a great day

 

[hawkeye08]

29F here this morning, started snowing early, 2-3" before it stopped. I ran snowblower on driveway, cleared off truck. Wife has a followup appt for pneumonia this morning, they wanted her early for xrays so I had the pleasure of taking the grand daughter to the school bus stop. It's not too far, she loves riding in my truck, we got there a few minutes early so we threw some snowballs.

I need to gather the info needed to get enhanced drivers license, I think I have everything except social security card, need to see if I can find that in the safe.. Standard DL doesn't meet the real id reqs so either need passport or enhanced license to fly (which will likely happen with new job on occasion).

Stay safe, prayers for those in need.

 

[LouNY]

I see some of you complaining about your taxes, maybe you'd like these better;
Sales tax 7 or 8% depending on the county,
my school tax is $3600,
my property tax is 1800, ( lower then many as I get a veterans credit)
these taxes are on an approximately $225,000 valued home.
the farms school tax last year was over $20,000, talk about a hurt.
Then add on numerous other taxes and taxes on taxes,
plus a high state income tax.
Our schools in this state used to be high quality that is no longer the case,
the standards are continually being lowered so the lowest rated students don't feel bad about themselves,
everyone is EQUAL what a bunch of bull.

 

[Scrambler82]

I need to gather the info needed to get enhanced drivers license, I think I have everything except social security card, need to see if I can find that in the safe.. Standard DL doesn't meet the real id reqs so either need passport or enhanced license to fly (which will likely happen with new job on occasion).

Looking at that in about six months; I need to start looking for al of the info.
The funny thing is, if we have had a driver's license for a number of years... with a picture on it, why do we need all of the extra paperwork to get a special one ?
It isn't like the DMV doesn't have connections to the other Law Enforcement Agencies, check the records, if no indicator of foul play then give the person the new ID License... why all of the BS !
I need to find out who made this law !

 

[LouNY]

Looking at that in about six months; I need to start looking for al of the info.
The funny thing is, if we have had a driver's license for a number of years... with a picture on it, why do we need all of the extra paperwork to get a special one ?
It isn't like the DMV doesn't have connections to the other Law Enforcement Agencies, check the records, if no indicator of foul play then give the person the new ID License... why all of the BS !
I need to find out who made this law !

Your fine and dandy elected representatives whom have relinquished their duties to non elected bureaucratic twits.

 

[jbrumberg]

Good Afternoon Everyone!!!!

A beautiful sunny brisk Winter day here today. Presently a sunny 13ºF windchill ~-15ºF. I checked my sample of current diesel (Mr. Funnel leftover) and saw that my fuel was just starting to cloud and no evidence of water. The plow guy did a decent job. I can wait till the late weekend to finish snow management when the temps are in the 40ºF's and pull my R1 fronts for replacement. It looks to be a fairly long dry period for NE.

Kyle- Good shot!! Rabies and distemper can cause skunks, etc. to walk/act erratically.

Drew- Something strange with electricity last night. I do not like using ladders inside or outside. See VVVV

RonJH- I slept like a baby until ~3:00AM When the smoke detectors on battery power only decided to make a ruckus, but I may have found the culprit battery/smoke detector..

Check- Today's low was 2ºF, but with the wind here last night we were almost as cold with -25ºF wind chill. It was a wild windy night that I almost slept through.

Our property taxes here in MA are ~$4000.

Brogen all dressed up and nowhere to go at the gulag.

My + thoughts and prayers