Welcome back, friends.
So Tuesday night the home county adopted a budget. It was the better, more beautiful revised budget that we discussed a few days back.
There were major concerns due to the apparent disdain that the Hays/Ezell?(WTC?) faction had for the revised budget that included around $4 million in cuts to both the Sheriff's Office & also for Jail Operations.
The big concern, as I had mentioned previously, was that if there were only a 3-vote consensus for the slightly better, revised budget, then the Chair would hold veto power.
However, those fears were unfounded as the newbie on the Board - the interim BOC 3 Rep - voted along w/ Edwards, Long & Mason.
Not the budget that many of us wanted, and we're still seeing a tax increase, but it was way better than the initial proposal. A small victory, but a victory nonetheless. Further, this is a pretty big deal as it shows that the other side doesn't have the consensus that some were afraid they might've had.
We'll take it!
Cigar Bar Coming to the Home City?
A couple of months ago & the Covington City Council went full-on Nanny State & banned smoking for the two spots - Five O' Clock & The Depot - that still allowed it.
My intel says that they did this mainly because they believed that smoking cigarettes is why The Depot had been wildin' ever since they reopened a while back (apparently nothing to do w/ the distilled spirits or the clientele they serve).
Fast-forward to this week & now Covington is wanting to add a new license type. A Cigar Bar. Where they will be pouring distilled spirits but unlike everyone else has been having to do forever, won't have to meet the 50% food requirement AND!!! they can have smoking in their establishment!
Make it make sense, somebody, please.
Sad.
The Running Man Goes Down
That fella that runs around town in the short shorts got arrested Tuesday evening. I'll share my FB post:
- Confirmed & Verified -Per multiple sources.It is true that the infamous Covington "Running Man" was arrested yesterday for indecent exposure.DEVELOPING...
As predicted, the comment thread on that one was quite at least mildly entertaining. You can check it for yourself.
REAL Politick
As I understand it a well known & well regarded gentleman will be officially announcing his candidacy for the East Ward of the City of Covington Council tomorrow. So far only one other has stated his intent to run. There's speculation that a multi-time candidate will also throw her hat into the ring (why? Why would anyone want to get obliterated for a third time?).
Regardless, this is a Good Fella. Believe he'll win comfortably.
State House & State Senate
These aren't until next year but there's been a lot activity already. Bret Dunn has already declared for State Senate. He may or may not have a challenger in the primary depending on whether or not a certain Covingtonian may or may not declare for State House. If he does, Bret will have a formidable challenger because the 3rd party wouldn't run for the House seat if that other fella runs & would then instead run for the Senate seat; however, if o'er fella doesn't it, then Bret would most likely be a lock for the primary & would be guaranteed a victory in the General.
For the record - Bret better be careful of "The Erickson Curse."
Js.
Okay for now, scamps. 'Til next time.
- MBM
P.S. Been taking a deep dive into the Covington budget. Not impressed. And a link showing all of the top salaries for city employees have been making the rounds lately. Ungodly.
P.P.S. Georgia suing the plaintiffs in the Rivian court action is literally one of the worst examples of government overreach I've ever seen. Kemp's a bastard; Carr is worse. Just awful!
