A couple of recent news articles have mentioned that my fine county is getting in line for stimulus funding in an effort to put people to work NOW. This article on Tribtown.com, states that Jackson County Water Utility (which is my service provider since I live outside of C’ville), is one company that hopes to receive a piece of the stimulus pie. Recently, on two separate occasions, I turned on the faucet and had ZERO water come out. I know there are upgrades that simply must be made. I also know rates were increased citing the need for those upgrades.
“We were already in the process of bidding this out, and we were going to do these projects anyway,” Baker (general manager of Jackson Water Utility) said. So tell me — how is this use of stimulus funding acting as an incentive — a job stimulus? It was going to be done anyway! So I pay the increased rate to improve public health through improved water quality — and then, taxpayers (should the preliminary approval be confirmed) pay in order that the same company receive 3.479 million as an interest free loan to do the same thing.
In a separate article, the Tribune reported that, “The Indiana Department of Transportation has moved to identify 30 projects valued at $44.5 million that may be paid for through federal stimulus package funds.” Seems as if US 31, Indiana 56 and 250 are going to get some concrete patching and preventive maintenance if Congress approves the economic recovery act. Bidding started yesterday and sealed bids are to be opened on February 27th and awarded to the lowest bidder. Yippee! Road patching! I can’t wait to see which Jackson County, Indiana company gets the bid. A Jackson County company WILL get it — right?
As I am catching up on email and doing normal routine work stuff, I get a text message from my brother letting me know that the Venetian is offering 2 rooms for 2 nights for $200 TOTAL through the end of March. All that PLUS $100 in free chips. You can’t beat a deal like that – a 5 Star hotel in Vegas for $25 bucks a night! Even though some obstacles were thrown in my path right before my planned trip making it impossible that I leave — there’s hope!
Sometimes things simply don’t work out the way you planned them. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I’ve decided to stay in the burg and won’t be traveling this week. More soon…
I leave on Wednesday morning for a short trip. I’m off to Vegas for a night, and then to LA until Monday. I wasn’t excited about leaving, but it’s snowing pretty good in the burg right now. I still get notifications insofar as our local school closings and noticed that this morning someone was confused. First message — closed. Second message, other schools in the area were running on a 2-hour delay. Third message — kids in the burg were going on a 2 hour delay. Make up your mind already!
Right this second, it’s snowing so hard that the sky is white. Visibility must be close to nada and the forecast is calling for the snowfall to continue until 7:00 pm. I’m already starting to worry what the airport (and the drive there) will be like in the morning. I’m sure I’ll have a few photos to share while I’m gone, and even more when I return. It’s Grammy weekend yanno.
But — have iPhone will travel! I learned of the coolest iPhone application from my brother — iCam. You simply set-up your home computer to record using a username and password, and then access the video from your iPhone wherever you are. You can run up to 4 cameras in various spots and see them all at the same time — or zoom in to the area that you want to see closely.
At the time that Scott shared his find with me, he not only had surveillance on his front door, but also on his 2 mischievous dogs. If you have an iPhone and a home computer — spend the 5 bucks!
Sorry, but this is simply too funny not to share. I’m not sure how the anchor kept composure! For the record, I would’ve paid big bucks to see this chick’s face when someone (probably a gloating colleague) told her what she really said.
I learned of the coolest iPhone application from my