Did you read my comment or were we thinking the same thing at the same time?? I just suggested that you put up a post on that subject. You need to add a pic of Rick. You know that you can go and add stuff to your post if you want.
Carol... I saw your post in the last subject. I don't have a picture of Rick working on the trail in my camera. These pictures are from a recent day he went with a friend to do some trail work. He took my camera because it's very small and easily fits in his pocket.
You will have to start carrying your camera with you now. I don't know if she still does but Coreen used to carry her camera with her all the time after we started the blog. Now she can use her iPhone if she learns how to download the pics from it. It won't do the tricks a regular digital camera will but I always have mine with me.
Thanks for putting up your neat post. Also put up a link to the video. You can add that to the post also. We do have many others, besides us, who drop in. The other day there were 125 people from France drop by. That's unusual.
Renee, I think if you go to the article you put up at tm & on the video pic, click where the title is & it will send you to youtube where you will see the video title with rick's name...
from youtube you should be able to copy it using the formula used in comments...or you could link it in your comment either way it should work...Here's the link code info.. hyperlink code
Carol, I still use my camera...as far as the iphone, the issue for me would be that you can't link it to pictures in the computer w/o adding an apple/i something to the computer...just like in order to add music to it, looks like you need to go through itunes, apple does try to keep its proprietary control over use of its products...
Coreen, when I hook up my phone to my computer, I close down those programs but you will at some time need to upgrade your program on the phone and that will require your computer.
After I close down those programs, I go to "computer" and find the phone as one of the things plugged in. It will be identified by your name. Click on it and it and click on a couple more things that come up and it will bring you to your pics. You can open your picture program that's on your computer and then click and drag the pics you want from your iPhone to that program. It may sound complicated by not after you've done it a couple of times. I learned by trial and error.
Ok, for no other reason than I want to...TV guide's list of the top 60 tv theme songs...what is somewhat disconcerting is I remember a lot of them!....and not sure what my top 10 would be...
Miami Vice, the Sopranos, X-files, Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, Hawaii 5-0, Magnum PI probably some of mine...
Sitting waiting to finish my eye doc appointment. I asked if they had shorter acting dilating drops. The tech said no but they have reversal drops that work in about 45 minutes. Usually I'm blind until about 9pm. They don't offer those drops unless you ask. FYI. Sure wish I knew that sooner.
Coreen... thanks for linking that article. I've been away most of the day in the city. I had a mammogram done at the hospital late this morning. I took advantage and did some shopping.... clothes, shoes, groceries, pet food.
Carol... I've never heard of those drops.... guess I'll have to ask at my next eye appointment. I hate how long it takes to be able to see decent enough to read after getting my eyes dilated.
Renee, they don't tell you unless you ask. I asked why they just didn't reverse everyone's dilation. The girl said that most people don't want any more drops in their eyes. I bet, like me, they didn't even know there was that option. It took a couple hours to get back to normal. Usually, I'm still messed up at this time.
Sorry that you had to have a mammogram today Renee. No fun.
I went to get some basil. I still had most of the other herbs that I use, both here and at my house. Most held over from last year. I did buy some new parsley for the camp. I like to use parsley in my cooking.
Basil never makes it from year to year. It dies when it gets to about 40 degrees. If I wait long enough, the seeds my basil plants dropped last year would eventually come up.
I was sitting outside this afternoon thinking that for me, every day is earth day. That's what keeps me out here. I feel more like I'm outside even when I'm inside.
Jan, I don't know why they thought that people would prefer to walk around blinded by the light and unable to focus for most of the day rather than have a couple of more drops put in their eyes??
I guess the whole mammogram experience is individual. My breasts are medium now but used to be small. It is pretty uncomfortable. My DIL has large breasts and she says it is uncomfortable for her too.
Renee, I can tell ya that it's pretty uncomfortable to try to make a small breast smash down on that mammogram machine. When they tell you not to breath, it's kinda silly since there is no way to breath with a small breast trapped in that vice.
When we get older, breasts don't have much usefulness anymore, they just get in the way. I don't even think that a mammogram is necessary. It something new, that shouldn't be there, shows up, it's obvious.
Carol.... it got into the high 60s.... after yesterday which was drizzly and very cold, it feels like summer.
I came out of my studio a little early so that I could enjoy the day. I picked up the book I'm reading and went outside to read for a little while. It's a treat at this time of year because the bugs aren't out yet. But with all the snow and water we've had, I'm sure the black flies will be plentiful in a couple of weeks.
Last night while I was dozing off I was listening to the Daily Show. Jon was talking about the Stock Act. Something I must have missed in the news.
Evidently a short while back President Barack Obama signed into law a ban on insider trading by members of Congress and their staff. It seems that they could use the info they had to profit, unlike the rest of us lowly citizens who would go to jail for insider trading. No wonder they will do anything to get elected.
While we were distracted by all the terror, President Obama signed a partial repeal of the Stock Act, calling off plans for the online database after both houses of Congress passed the bill unanimously. They were evidently worried about Internet security.
The government employees in Washington are probably really busy buying and selling stock. That might explain why the FBI and CIA don't have time to keep up with potential terrorists and why the stock market seems to be going gang busters when regular people can't afford food and health care. It's all starting to make sense to me.
Good thing the Big Bang has another marathon. I don't have to worry about how our government is screwing us and it's not so bad that the stock market is doing well. I do have a couple of bucks in it.
Have been enjoying the Voice. It is fun to see how this talent show does things. I am still an Idol fan. How fortunate that they are on different nights.
Never really cared for singing talent shows before. Every time I did watch Idol, and it wasn't that often, I was very disappointed in who won. Don't care for the new judges on Idol. I like the way they do things on the voice. I like that looks don't really play a role and I really like the judges and the way they interact. That's probably my fav part of the show. They are probably a comedy show by themselves.
I just Googled what the last 10 seasons of Idol winners are up to. I don't follow the music industry enough to know. The two who are best known still are Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. I did recently see Sparkle with Jordin Sparks. Seems the women winners have done better.
I really can't put my finger on why some of these people win. I didn't think that Philip Philips had anything very outstanding in looks, voice or charisma. It must be fate.
I have not seen any squirrels climb over my new feeder pole barrier but a few still have jumped to the feeder. Yesterday afternoon a squirrel climbed to the top of a my swing set frame and stared right at me. That squirrel was giving me the evil eye like he/she knew I was responsible for the barrier. It was definitely a look of defiance. I told it that I did give them their own bowl of their fav seeds. After staring me down for a few minutes, the squirrel turned around and jumped to the top of the feeder. I grabbed my water cannon and blasted it down.
Anyone interested in watching what happens with the NFL draft tonight? Probably not. I'm not even sure why I've been following it.
I read where New England might try to pick up the Honey Badger. He's the kid, cornerback, who played for LSU but got booted off the team because he couldn't give up his pot smoking. I was sooo disappointed because he made watching the LSU games more fun. I really missed him last year. I'm not sure anyone will want to take a chance on him.
Carol.... I might watch some of that draft tonight. I'm definitely interested in who the Patriots pick. They don't have a lot of picks this season.... gave a lot away with trades. But that's ok cuz I love the players they received.
As for why some people with lesser talents win.... I'm sure there are people in the business that could answer that question. I bet it has to do with personality. People will root for others they genuinely like even if they might not be as good. I know I did it one season of Idol.... I loved Taylor Hicks... his enthusiasm and his big smile made me root for him.... and he won.
He hasn't gone on to do much. He definitely didn't have the best voice. I hear he does better with live performances, but his records... not so much.
It is interesting that with all the talent shows for singers that a select few go on to make it in the business. It is probably a combination of talent, personality and willingness to work hard. I think looks help a little - not sure how much. I don't think it hurt Carrie Underwood that she is so photogenic.
Some on Idol did not go far on that show but somehow have made great careers for themselves. I think these shows give some talented people a start and then it depends on lots of different qualities.
I do like these shows a lot. I guess it is just a matter of taste as to why I like these and do not care for sports.
I also love movies.
I have not enjoyed Dancing with the Stars as much this year.
Renee, I remember Taylor Hicks. I think he had a lot of charisma and looks. I remember when he was on that my sister was crazy about him. His main competitor was Kathryn McPhee. Taylor won and KM came in 2nd. I remember they kept showing how Simon Cowell voted against him when he auditioned and said no way he would win. I think these kinds of things are what make the talent shows fun and interesting.
Interestingly, Kathryn McPhee is now one of the stars on Smash, a new TV show.
I remember when my sis and I talked about these 2 contestants, my sister said "Kathryn is talented and she will probably go on anyway and make it , but Taylor is not as talented and needs a break. "
I do believe a lot of mature women loved Taylor Hicks.
We are watching the dedication of the George Bush library and Museum at Southern Meth Univ. SMU is John's alma mater. He did his last 3 years of Undergrad work and Seminary there. Interesting that all 5 presidents and first ladies are there.
I wonder how much security they have. I wonder if Dallas is having a "no fly zone" over Dallas.
This from our local weekly newspaper the annual top earners... (can't link it, its not online)
As usual, school administrators lead the top paid list...
A sampling:School superintendent - $225,500; director of finance & operations $166,594; asst superintendent $172,000; principal elementary school $148,130; asst prinicpal elementary school $116,411; dirctor of special services $143,000; Middle school principal $148,342; guidance cousnelor middle school $104,988, special ed teacher middle school $103,425 6th grade teacher $101,119; school psychologist elementary $98,483...
The town side top earners: police officer $143,125 $75,000 of which is special duty & overtime; public works director $114,789; police chief $100,000; first selectman - $56,945 (this job is considered part-time;
And we have a joint high school with a neighboring town, we split the costs currently Easton pays 45.93%, Redding 54.07% asst superintendent high shool $167,116; asst principal $139,841; another asst principal $136,480 adminstrator PE/health $134,819 special services director $13,893, director school counseling $129,904 faculty member (f/k/a teacher) $128,167, dean of students $127,281...& don't forget the other faculty members are paid similarly...
And you wonder why us taxpayers get annoyed when everyone wants to squeeze more from each of us...how much is enough...give me a number!...& so you know, it is not easy to earn $100,000 income in most employment...
Coreen, the pay for your educational people (other than superintendent) is much more in your state. As for faculty, you won't see salaries like that where I live.
Coreen.... the educators, police, public workers, select persons, etc. etc. don't make anywhere near what they make in your area. For instance, our selectmen are largely volunteers with an annual stipend of $3,000. And my town has a population of 6,000.... which is close to the size of what you told me your town was on the phone.
The problem is that all the people you've mentioned get paid out of property taxes.... and IMO, property taxes are regressive. Despite not paying our people like your town does, many people living on fixed incomes have a very hard time paying their property taxes. Because as you well know, it's based on what they've managed to earn while working... and not on their present ability to pay.
I don't know what the answer is.... but I will acknowledge based on those salaries you've given... your property taxes are likely through the roof.... and it is a problem.
Yes, our little town has about 8,000 pop., median income is about $148,200 which is consistent with the neighboring towns, however, the town has chosen to have virtually no commercial properties, therefore, the tax burden falls on residential real estate & yes our cars are subject to the property tax as well...the town has many fixed income residents who have lived in this quiet formerly farmland town, (& yes for the most part those old homes & residents really can no longer afford to live in this town)now occupied by many young transplant families from closer to NYC, thus the heavy burden on everyone to fund the school system...& then guess what the transplants get transfered but the town never cuts taxes or education budget...
And the latest budget proposed claims it will raise taxes less than 1%...my taxes are just shy of $17,000, neighbors near $20,000...
So trust me, I will continue to resent everyone constantly asking me to pay more taxes from every side, state, town, federal & not one of those entities will stop spending ever...only asks for more...
I've been keeping up with the draft because I was curious to see if any team would pick up the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu. The Arizona Cardinals just did in the 3rd round. I was hoping some team would. I really enjoyed watching him play. He was a F up. His dad is in jail for drugs and he just couldn't keep himself straight. He did share in an interview that the team was going to give him a break but he would have to go through drug tests. I do hope he finally learned his lesson.
One of the reasons that many who retire here, sell & move south, to escape the taxes...North Carolina, So. Carolina & Florida are popular relocation states...
Policy varies from town to town...at some point when taxes aren't paid, towns file tax liens on land records. (then property can not be sold or mortgaged w/o paying the back taxes)..& again at some point they can start a foreclosure action in court...it does take several years of non-payment before towns begin any action...
Carol... I watched most of the NFL draft Thursday night and some of it last night. I don't really care for college sports.... so I don't know anything about the individual players being drafted. My main interest was to see what positions the Patriots were looking for... which turned out to be mainly defensive players.
Coreen... it takes 3 yrs of being in arrears of taxes for the town to take your house here. But the town is very reluctant to do that and as long as the person is willing to try to pay something, the town will work with him/her.
Property taxes here are no where near what you pay ... but then neither is the median income. There are people here who leave the area also when they retire. I have a very good friend that is leaving to retire with her hubby in Virginia in June. They own a lot of land and were able to buy the same amount of acreage with a nice ranch house that has about one quarter of the property taxes they now pay here.
Oh, at TM Craig's wedding pics...Pogo & his wife are in #167she is also shown singing, wearing a white suit...(only way I know this, Pogo is on FB with a pic of both of them)...
Thought you would appreciate that FB observation...
And yes Renee, here towns are also reluctant to foreclose, they just want to be paid, but the law does provide a mechanism to enforce nonpayment...since in the end, it is not fair & reasonable to have some not pay while most do...
I have seen cases where the person is 5 years or more in arrears & the town still does not start a court proceeding...but with the pressure to collect taxes & account to those that do pay, at some point they will take action...
That was cute Coreen. I've probably played every one of those roles at some time.
When taxes aren't paid here it doesn't take long for them to put the property up for sale. It's not actually a sale but someone can pay the taxes and if after 3 years, they aren't paid back, the person who pays the taxes gets the land.
We have homestead exemption here for the first 75 thou. Also, if someone is disabled, they can have their taxes frozen at a lower level.
Renee, I never heard of any of those athletes who were being drafted either except the Honey Badger and Manti Teo. I followed some of the story of Teo. That was a very strange story and I never figured out what his motives were.
68 comments:
Did you read my comment or were we thinking the same thing at the same time?? I just suggested that you put up a post on that subject. You need to add a pic of Rick. You know that you can go and add stuff to your post if you want.
Carol...
I saw your post in the last subject. I don't have a picture of Rick working on the trail in my camera. These pictures are from a recent day he went with a friend to do some trail work. He took my camera because it's very small and easily fits in his pocket.
You will have to start carrying your camera with you now. I don't know if she still does but Coreen used to carry her camera with her all the time after we started the blog. Now she can use her iPhone if she learns how to download the pics from it. It won't do the tricks a regular digital camera will but I always have mine with me.
Thanks for putting up your neat post. Also put up a link to the video. You can add that to the post also. We do have many others, besides us, who drop in. The other day there were 125 people from France drop by. That's unusual.
Carol....
I don't know how to add the video. It's on a webiste and is owned by The Nashua Telegraph.
Renee, I think if you go to the
article you put up at tm & on the video pic, click where the title is & it will send you to youtube where you will see the video title
with rick's name...
from youtube you should be able to copy it using the formula used in comments...or you could link it in your comment either way it should work...Here's the link code info..
hyperlink code
Try the link again...it didn't work...
Hyperlink code
I'm pretty sure we can't add a video to this blog post but you can put up a link to it like you did on TM, even if you just copy and paste the link.
Just got back from the house again. I did get my neighbor to do the weed wacking. It's been a long busy day.
Great pictures Renee.
Ok... I'll try to link it in hyper code....
hrefhttp://www.nashuatelegraph.com/living/sundaymagazine/1001087-469/wapack-trail--21-miles-of-it.html
didn't work... sorry... very very busy today....
I don't have time to fool with it and figure it out.
Ok Renee, Pretty sure the link worked this time...
Rick takes a hike up the Wapack Trail
Carol, I still use my camera...as far as the iphone, the issue for me would be that you can't link it to pictures in the computer w/o adding an apple/i something to the computer...just like in order to add music to it, looks like you need to go through itunes, apple does try to keep its proprietary control over use of its products...
And by the way, its still cold & windy, not any sun today & the heat is still on in the house...
Coreen, when I hook up my phone to my computer, I close down those programs but you will at some time need to upgrade your program on the phone and that will require your computer.
After I close down those programs, I go to "computer" and find the phone as one of the things plugged in. It will be identified by your name. Click on it and it and click on a couple more things that come up and it will bring you to your pics. You can open your picture program that's on your computer and then click and drag the pics you want from your iPhone to that program. It may sound complicated by not after you've done it a couple of times. I learned by trial and error.
Ok, for no other reason than I want to...TV guide's list of the top 60 tv theme songs...what is somewhat disconcerting is I remember a lot of them!....and not sure what my top 10 would be...
Miami Vice, the Sopranos, X-files, Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, Hawaii 5-0, Magnum PI probably some of mine...
TV Guide's 60 Greatest TV Theme Songs
Sitting waiting to finish my eye doc appointment. I asked if they had shorter acting dilating drops. The tech said no but they have reversal drops that work in about 45 minutes. Usually I'm blind until about 9pm. They don't offer those drops unless you ask. FYI. Sure wish I knew that sooner.
Coreen...
thanks for linking that article. I've been away most of the day in the city. I had a mammogram done at the hospital late this morning. I took advantage and did some shopping.... clothes, shoes, groceries, pet food.
Carol... I've never heard of those drops.... guess I'll have to ask at my next eye appointment. I hate how long it takes to be able to see decent enough to read after getting my eyes dilated.
Renee, they don't tell you unless you ask. I asked why they just didn't reverse everyone's dilation. The girl said that most people don't want any more drops in their eyes. I bet, like me, they didn't even know there was that option. It took a couple hours to get back to normal. Usually, I'm still messed up at this time.
Sorry that you had to have a mammogram today Renee. No fun.
I went to get some basil. I still had most of the other herbs that I use, both here and at my house. Most held over from last year. I did buy some new parsley for the camp. I like to use parsley in my cooking.
Basil never makes it from year to year. It dies when it gets to about 40 degrees. If I wait long enough, the seeds my basil plants dropped last year would eventually come up.
I was sitting outside this afternoon thinking that for me, every day is earth day. That's what keeps me out here. I feel more like I'm outside even when I'm inside.
Carol, I did not know about those dilating-reversal drops either. I will remember that.
Renee, bet you are glad to get the mammogram finished. Not the most comfortable procedure.
Jan, I don't know why they thought that people would prefer to walk around blinded by the light and unable to focus for most of the day rather than have a couple of more drops put in their eyes??
Well... I've been told that small breasted women find mammograms uncomfortable at best and can hurt. Since I don't have that problem... it was easy.
The sun is shining today... gonna be a good day.
I guess the whole mammogram experience is individual. My breasts are medium now but used to be small. It is pretty uncomfortable. My DIL has large breasts and she says it is uncomfortable for her too.
Renee, I can tell ya that it's pretty uncomfortable to try to make a small breast smash down on that mammogram machine. When they tell you not to breath, it's kinda silly since there is no way to breath with a small breast trapped in that vice.
Carol...
I'll trade ya.... I'd LOVE to have breasts small enough to hurt during a mammogram.
I have been told by doctors that I have a very high threshold for pain..... not sure that's an advantage though.
When we get older, breasts don't have much usefulness anymore, they just get in the way. I don't even think that a mammogram is necessary. It something new, that shouldn't be there, shows up, it's obvious.
How warm did it get in your area Renee? My weather site said it was in the 70s?? Did it get that warm? We have a little cool and very windy day today.
Carol....
it got into the high 60s.... after yesterday which was drizzly and very cold, it feels like summer.
I came out of my studio a little early so that I could enjoy the day. I picked up the book I'm reading and went outside to read for a little while. It's a treat at this time of year because the bugs aren't out yet. But with all the snow and water we've had, I'm sure the black flies will be plentiful in a couple of weeks.
Last night while I was dozing off I was listening to the Daily Show. Jon was talking about the Stock Act. Something I must have missed in the news.
Evidently a short while back President Barack Obama signed into law a ban on insider trading by members of Congress and their staff. It seems that they could use the info they had to profit, unlike the rest of us lowly citizens who would go to jail for insider trading. No wonder they will do anything to get elected.
While we were distracted by all the terror, President Obama signed a partial repeal of the Stock Act, calling off plans for the online database after both houses of Congress passed the bill unanimously. They were evidently worried about Internet security.
The government employees in
Washington are probably really busy buying and selling stock. That might explain why the FBI and CIA don't have time to keep up with potential terrorists and why the stock market seems to be going gang busters when regular people can't afford food and health care. It's all starting to make sense to me.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2013/04/21/did-obama-and-congress-use-national-security-fears-to-gut-the-stock-act/
Good thing the Big Bang has another marathon. I don't have to worry about how our government is screwing us and it's not so bad that the stock market is doing well. I do have a couple of bucks in it.
Have been enjoying the Voice. It is fun to see how this talent show does things. I am still an Idol fan. How fortunate that they are on different nights.
These last 4 women singers on Idol are amazing. Best singers ever on this show.
Never really cared for singing talent shows before. Every time I did watch Idol, and it wasn't that often, I was very disappointed in who won. Don't care for the new judges on Idol. I like the way they do things on the voice. I like that looks don't really play a role and I really like the judges and the way they interact. That's probably my fav part of the show. They are probably a comedy show by themselves.
I just Googled what the last 10 seasons of Idol winners are up to. I don't follow the music industry enough to know. The two who are best known still are Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. I did recently see Sparkle with Jordin Sparks. Seems the women winners have done better.
I found a new song done by Joshua Ledet, my homey. He didn't win. I like the song. He also performed at the White House recently.
Broken Man
There certainly is a lot of music talent out there and it doesn't seem to me that how well they sing is what makes them successful.
I really can't put my finger on why some of these people win. I didn't think that Philip Philips had anything very outstanding in looks, voice or charisma. It must be fate.
I have not seen any squirrels climb over my new feeder pole barrier but a few still have jumped to the feeder. Yesterday afternoon a squirrel climbed to the top of a my swing set frame and stared right at me. That squirrel was giving me the evil eye like he/she knew I was responsible for the barrier. It was definitely a look of defiance. I told it that I did give them their own bowl of their fav seeds. After staring me down for a few minutes, the squirrel turned around and jumped to the top of the feeder. I grabbed my water cannon and blasted it down.
Anyone interested in watching what happens with the NFL draft tonight? Probably not. I'm not even sure why I've been following it.
I read where New England might try to pick up the Honey Badger. He's the kid, cornerback, who played for LSU but got booted off the team because he couldn't give up his pot smoking. I was sooo disappointed because he made watching the LSU games more fun. I really missed him last year. I'm not sure anyone will want to take a chance on him.
Carol.... I might watch some of that draft tonight. I'm definitely interested in who the Patriots pick. They don't have a lot of picks this season.... gave a lot away with trades. But that's ok cuz I love the players they received.
As for why some people with lesser talents win.... I'm sure there are people in the business that could answer that question. I bet it has to do with personality. People will root for others they genuinely like even if they might not be as good. I know I did it one season of Idol.... I loved Taylor Hicks... his enthusiasm and his big smile made me root for him.... and he won.
He hasn't gone on to do much. He definitely didn't have the best voice. I hear he does better with live performances, but his records... not so much.
It is interesting that with all the talent shows for singers that a select few go on to make it in the business. It is probably a combination of talent, personality and willingness to work hard. I think looks help a little - not sure how much. I don't think it hurt Carrie Underwood that she is so photogenic.
Some on Idol did not go far on that show but somehow have made great careers for themselves. I think these shows give some talented people a start and then it depends on lots of different qualities.
I do like these shows a lot. I guess it is just a matter of taste as to why I like these and do not care for sports.
I also love movies.
I have not enjoyed Dancing with the Stars as much this year.
Renee, I remember Taylor Hicks. I think he had a lot of charisma and looks. I remember when he was on that my sister was crazy about him. His main competitor was Kathryn McPhee. Taylor won and KM came in 2nd. I remember they kept showing how Simon Cowell voted against him when he auditioned and said no way he would win. I think these kinds of things are what make the talent shows fun and interesting.
Interestingly, Kathryn McPhee is now one of the stars on Smash, a new TV show.
I remember when my sis and I talked about these 2 contestants, my sister said "Kathryn is talented and she will probably go on anyway and make it , but Taylor is not as talented and needs a break. "
I do believe a lot of mature women loved Taylor Hicks.
We are watching the dedication of the George Bush library and Museum at Southern Meth Univ. SMU is John's alma mater. He did his last 3 years of Undergrad work and Seminary there. Interesting that all 5 presidents and first ladies are there.
I wonder how much security they have. I wonder if Dallas is having a "no fly zone" over Dallas.
Many foreign dignitaries there too.
Coreen....
I did my banking this morning like I promised.
Sure hope My Pet Goat graces Georgie's new liberry...
Love the picture that someone posted on FB with Obama doing the bunny ears over George H. Bush's head. It is good to see them clown around.
Working on third day in a row of
gorgeous weather...the colors of spring have popped as well...
This from our local weekly newspaper the annual top earners...
(can't link it, its not online)
As usual, school administrators lead the top paid list...
A sampling:School superintendent - $225,500;
director of finance & operations
$166,594; asst superintendent $172,000; principal elementary school $148,130; asst prinicpal elementary school $116,411; dirctor of special services $143,000; Middle school principal $148,342; guidance cousnelor middle school $104,988, special ed teacher middle school $103,425 6th grade teacher $101,119; school psychologist elementary $98,483...
The town side top earners: police officer $143,125 $75,000 of which is special duty & overtime; public works director $114,789; police chief $100,000; first selectman - $56,945 (this job is considered part-time;
And we have a joint high school with a neighboring town, we split the costs currently Easton pays 45.93%, Redding 54.07%
asst superintendent high shool $167,116; asst principal $139,841; another asst principal $136,480 adminstrator PE/health $134,819 special services director $13,893,
director school counseling $129,904
faculty member (f/k/a teacher) $128,167, dean of students $127,281...& don't forget the other faculty members are paid
similarly...
And you wonder why us taxpayers get annoyed when everyone wants to squeeze more from each of us...how much is enough...give me a number!...& so you know, it is not easy to earn $100,000 income in most employment...
And when you are in business, that $100,000 income you earn, must pay your costs to stay in business...before you get to keep any for your family...
Coreen, the pay for your educational people (other than superintendent) is much more in your state. As for faculty, you won't see salaries like that where I live.
Coreen....
the educators, police, public workers, select persons, etc. etc. don't make anywhere near what they make in your area. For instance, our selectmen are largely volunteers with an annual stipend of $3,000. And my town has a population of 6,000.... which is close to the size of what you told me your town was on the phone.
The problem is that all the people you've mentioned get paid out of property taxes.... and IMO, property taxes are regressive. Despite not paying our people like your town does, many people living on fixed incomes have a very hard time paying their property taxes. Because as you well know, it's based on what they've managed to earn while working... and not on their present ability to pay.
I don't know what the answer is....
but I will acknowledge based on those salaries you've given... your property taxes are likely through the roof.... and it is a problem.
Yes, our little town has about 8,000 pop., median income is about
$148,200 which is consistent with the neighboring towns, however, the town has chosen to have virtually no commercial properties, therefore, the tax burden falls on residential real estate & yes our cars are subject to the property tax as well...the
town has many fixed income residents who have lived in this quiet formerly farmland town, (& yes for the most part those old homes & residents really can no
longer afford to live in this town)now occupied by many young transplant families from closer to NYC, thus the heavy burden on everyone to fund the school system...& then guess what the transplants get transfered but the town never cuts taxes or education
budget...
And the latest budget proposed claims it will raise taxes less than 1%...my taxes are just shy of $17,000, neighbors near $20,000...
So trust me, I will continue to resent everyone constantly asking
me to pay more taxes from every side, state, town, federal & not one of those entities will stop
spending ever...only asks for more...
http://weston-ct.patch.com/articles/weston-wins-the-bronze-in-wealth
Hopefully working link of the median incomes in surrounding towns...
Weston wins the bronze in wealth
Coreen, what do people do when they retire to pay those taxes? Do they go down?
I've been keeping up with the draft because I was curious to see if any team would pick up the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu. The Arizona Cardinals just did in the 3rd round. I was hoping some team would. I really enjoyed watching him play. He was a F up. His dad is in jail for drugs and he just couldn't keep himself straight. He did share in an interview that the team was going to give him a break but he would have to go through drug tests. I do hope he finally learned his lesson.
Don't have an answer for you Carol...
One of the reasons that many who retire here, sell & move south, to escape the taxes...North Carolina, So. Carolina & Florida are popular relocation states...
Policy varies from town to town...at some point when taxes aren't paid, towns file tax liens on land records. (then property can not be sold or mortgaged w/o paying the back taxes)..& again at some point they can start a foreclosure action in court...it does take several years of non-payment before towns begin any action...
Carol...
I watched most of the NFL draft Thursday night and some of it last night. I don't really care for college sports.... so I don't know anything about the individual players being drafted. My main interest was to see what positions the Patriots were looking for... which turned out to be mainly defensive players.
This showed up on FB...there are some really clever writers out there...& well, pretty spot on...
Every facebook political argument you've ever seen
Coreen...
it takes 3 yrs of being in arrears of taxes for the town to take your house here. But the town is very reluctant to do that and as long as the person is willing to try to pay something, the town will work with him/her.
Property taxes here are no where near what you pay ... but then neither is the median income. There are people here who leave the area also when they retire. I have a very good friend that is leaving to retire with her hubby in Virginia in June. They own a lot of land and were able to buy the same amount of acreage with a nice ranch house that has about one quarter of the property taxes they now pay here.
Coreen...
that article about FB political arguments was tooooo fuuuuuny!... but oh so true.
Oh, at TM Craig's wedding pics...Pogo & his wife are in #167she is also shown singing, wearing a white suit...(only way I know this, Pogo is on FB with a pic of both of them)...
Thought you would appreciate that
FB observation...
And yes Renee, here towns are also reluctant to foreclose, they just want to be paid, but the law does provide a mechanism to enforce nonpayment...since in the end, it is not fair & reasonable to have
some not pay while most do...
I have seen cases where the person is 5 years or more in arrears & the town still does not start a court proceeding...but with the pressure to collect taxes & account to those that do pay, at some point they will take action...
That was cute Coreen. I've probably played every one of those roles at some time.
When taxes aren't paid here it doesn't take long for them to put the property up for sale. It's not actually a sale but someone can pay the taxes and if after 3 years, they aren't paid back, the person who pays the taxes gets the land.
We have homestead exemption here for the first 75 thou. Also, if someone is disabled, they can have their taxes frozen at a lower level.
Renee, I never heard of any of those athletes who were being drafted either except the Honey Badger and Manti Teo. I followed some of the story of Teo. That was a very strange story and I never figured out what his motives were.
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