The Economy

I was recently checking a few other blogs the other day and came across the one from a collegue in Minnesota. I posted a link here if you are interested. Mr. Neal talks about tough choices he has had to make because of the tough economic times in Minnesota right now. His community is an affluent community and he is a damn good manager but sometimes stuff happens. In this case, the State of Minnesota happened. The governor there has unalloted 2008 and will unallot 2009 monies that had already been committed to the communities to try to balance a multi-billion (yup a B) revenue shortfall. The legislature and the governor cannot agree on a budget solution so things just stop. A few years ago the state actually shut down...literally. It was a big mess and the voters didn't forget it. When the next election came around the voted a big block of representatives and senators out the door.

Makes me appreciate the business planning of our commission and our mangers. Hopefully we can weather the economic downturn without having to go through what folks up north are dealing with.

Scott is a good guy and I know such decisions are hard for him to make as it is with any manger.

Officer Memorial

Trooper Kyle P. Barber, 46, of the North Carolina Highway Patrol died on May 19th as a result of injuries he sustained when he was struck by a vehicle on January 2o, 2007.

Trooper Barber was assisting another trooper who had stopped an ATV on a rural road. During the stop, the ATV rolled over and pinned Trooper Barber against his patrol car, causing him major injuries. As a result, Trooper Barber had undergone 10 surgeries and other treatment to his lower legs. He passed away from complications of the most recent surgery.

Trooper Barber had served for 24 years and is survived by his wife and three children.

Memorial Day

Please take time today to remember those who have given their lives in sacrafice to keep us safe and free.

Mother's Day

This is the first Mother's Day without my mom. We went to church and listened to the platitudes of motherhood and watched as all the kids went back to their parents after the kids' sermon and told their moms and grandmothers they loved them. It was touching.

It is also a time to reflect on memories. Out of the blue I remembered a particular time when we were living in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was the summer and it was hot. Absent decent air conditioning, I remember Mom packing up a lunch and taking us to Pioneer Park. It was a good lunch and time to cool down. With our mom, it wasn't just peanut butter and jelly sandwiches either. We had homemade lemonade, ham salad sandwiches and homemade potato salad. It was cool sitting in the park between the huge pine trees and playing memory games with Mom and my sister and brother. I'm sure she could have found better things to do that day but chose to spend that time with us.

That was just the way our Mom was and I'm sure glad we had the time we did to spend with her.

Happy Mother's Day

I Am An American

I am an American.

A product of a proud legacy of the struggle of an ever changing republic founded on principles of democratic governance and the rights of the individual and the common good of the many. Our path has been often less than idealistic but it has been open, public and very much a family affair. Our strength comes from the willingness to put aside our differences for the common good of our namesake.

As an American I honor the legacy left to me by the sharing of my time, talents and yes, my money to further the hope of the future and leave a legacy to my children and their children. I want to make that investment as my parents and their parents before them did to make sure that my life was better than theirs.

It is an honor and a responsibility to provide for the sustainability of our nation. Supporting the operation of our government is a right and an obligation. We are judged by how we treat those in need and exercise the freedoms we have been given by God by the sacrifice of our youth to protect those same freedoms for our brothers and sisters across the seas.

If as an American I claim my right to freedom, I must allow that freedom to be tested to the breaking point by someone shouting their hate of me and my country. I must allow that freedom to be tested while the very symbol of our greatness is burned right in front of me. It must be tested by the sacrifice of our young men and women on battlefields far from our shores and judged by the level of restraint and professionalism when force is necessary to protect our rights. It must be tested as our borders strain to accommodate those seeking a better life. I must exercise my legacy by practicing tolerance, patience and a willingness to share my faith in our freedoms with those who will someday take my place.

I am an American....our greatness comes from our diversity and the fact that united, we cannot fail.