County Council Needs A Reality Check

[ZooFuzz]

Richland County residents could get booted off their front yards
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5134195

Under this new ruling according to CC, if I park in my front yard like I do every day...I can be cited. With all the problems in Richland County, instead of trying to solve some of the more important issues in RC, they are trying to make new ones. EXCUSE ME COUNTY COUNCIL this will not get you re-elected. :mad:

[Captain Worley]

I'm glad I don't live in Richland County. What a bunch of clowns.

[Gator]

:stupid: Richland CC has some real problems. Is this way they want to raise our taxes to put more people on the pay roll to patrol our neighborhood for illegally parked cars?


They do not want to talk about giving the Guards at the ASGDC more money but have the nerve to put this topic on the table. How stupid is that?

[ZooFuzz]

Tax On Your Car Proposed to Fund Bus System
http://wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=39758

The Council has decided the funding will come from an annual vehicle assessment fee of $20 for residential vehicles and $30 for commercial vehicles.

The Richland County Sheriff Department and the Alvin S.Glenn Detention Center have employees that work in dangerous and stressful conditions and then County Council has decided that citing you for parking in your own yard and rasing your vehicle taxes to support the CITY buse system is far more important. I live in the county of Richland and rarely ever see a Sheriff Deputy patroling, unless it's the one around the corner going home, I'm willing to bet that CC members don't have that problem.

[Captain Worley]

Seems all screwed up, doesn't it? Typical. Once again, I am soooo glad I live across the river. With all the fees and sales taxes RC and the City of Columbia have come up with lately, I'm surprised there isn't more of a public outcry.

[Unregistered321]

Why don't (can't) you use your driveway? If you live out in the sticks or in a non neighborhood (subdivision) I say park where you want BUT if you live in a neighborhood (subdivision) park your stuff in the driveway.

[Unregistered321]

Tax On Your Car Proposed to Fund Bus System
http://wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=39758

The Council has decided the funding will come from an annual vehicle assessment fee of $20 for residential vehicles and $30 for commercial vehicles.

The Richland County Sheriff Department and the Alvin S.Glenn Detention Center have employees that work in dangerous and stressful conditions and then County Council has decided that citing you for parking in your own yard and rasing your vehicle taxes to support the CITY buse system is far more important. I live in the county of Richland and rarely ever see a Sheriff Deputy patroling, unless it's the one around the corner going home, I'm willing to bet that CC members don't have that problem.



Call me stupid but one would think they would RAISE the rates for the people who use that service.

[ZooFuzz]

Call me stupid but one would think they would RAISE the rates for the people who use that service.

Too simple. This is THE Government we're talking about.

[Captain Worley]

I say park where you want BUT if you live in a neighborhood (subdivision) park your stuff in the driveway.

I say park where you want, no buts. It is their property, they can park where they want.

Where does the government come off telling them where they can park there cars on their land?

[ZooFuzz]

Viewers Voice: Richland County Tax Proposal
http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=39773

Read what richland county taxpayers have to say.
Send us your opinion (http://www.wltx.com/company/contact/viewersvoice.aspx)


And Contact your county councilman (http://www.wltx.com/news/news19.aspx?storyid=39791)

[Captain Worley]

Lot of angry people there, and rightly so. I suggest you guys in RC vote against every single incumbent. I'm formulating a plan about those who are unopposed. I'm leaning towards a write-in campaign for Allen Smithee.

[Unregistered321]

I say park where you want, no buts. It is their property, they can park where they want.

Where does the government come off telling them where they can park there cars on their land?


Go look at Friersgate and Riverwalk. No wonder section 8 came in there, they look like Sanford and Sons.

Where I live if you park on the street or yard the HOA can and have towed cars away and fined people. I support County Council 101% on this one.

[Captain Worley]

Where I live if you park on the street or yard the HOA can and have towed cars away and fined people.

Well, if you want to give up your rights to the Annointed Ones of the HOA, go to it. That's one reason I will never live anywhere with covenants.

I'm always fascinated with the reasons people voluntarily give up their rights. What are yours? Seriously.

[RICHLAND COUNTY VOTER]

County Council Members

Council District 1
Doris M. Corley
Phone: (803) 932-2203 Council District 2
Joyce Dickerson
Phone: (803) 750-0154
Cell: (803) 518-8033
Council District 3
Damon Jeter
Phone: (803) 254-0358 Council District 4
Paul Livingston
Phone: (803) 765-1192
Council District 5
Kit Smith
Phone: (803) 254-0542 Council District 6
L. Gregory Pearce Jr., Vice Chair
Phone: (803) 783-8792
Council District 7
Joseph McEachern
Phone: (803) 786-8304 Council District 8
Mike Montgomery
Phone: (803) 779-3500
Council District 9
Val Hutchinson
Phone: (803) 462-1373 Council District 10
Bernice G. Scott
Phone: (803) 353-8812
Council District 11
Tony Mizzell, Council Chair
Phone: (803) 776-8788

http://www.richlandonline.com/departments/countycouncil/councilmembers.asp

Meeting Schedule
The Richland County Council generally meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 18
Regular Session
Time - 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 25
Committees
Time - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 25
Zoning Public Hearing
Time - 7:00 p.m.


Richland County Council is an eleven member body elected to oversee the operations of the Richland County government. The Council conducts its business through a number of standing, and some ad hoc, committees.



Council Meetings are held at:
Richland County Administration Building
2020 Hampton Street, 2nd Floor
Columbia, SC 29202

[Captain Worley]

I suggest all you RC folks go to the meetings. I've already e-mailed the lexco chamber on my thoughts.

[ZooFuzz]

CORRECTION - FORUM IS A CLOSED SESSION
**************************
MEETING IS CLOSED TO PUBLIC
****************************
Tuesday, July 18
Regular Session
Time - 6:00 p.m.

If you are not there, don't complain.

[R C Voter OutCrying]

Richland County Car Tax Could Fund Bus System
http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=40288

Council looks to raise vehicle registration fees to fund buses
***The following is a response from councilman Mike Montgomery. This is a uniform response he sends to all concerned constituents:***
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5141071

Lack of leadership brings bus system to brink of devastation
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/columnists/warren_bolton/14857702.htm

Bus service forum is off
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/15114809.htm


Meeting public transit needs
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/editorial/letters/15108056.htm


Others must join Richland in seeking way to fund buses
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/opinion/15087791.htm

Bus tax getting a second look
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/15078783.htm

Others must join Richland in seeking way to fund buses
http://news.pajamasmedia.com/lifestyle/2006/07/21/9752797_EDITORIAL_Others.shtml

Transit system welcomes reprieve
http://www.topix.net/content/kri/3603169845079168860835128298891225683822




We're going to get screwed again!!!
Will someone please pass the Vasoline, so it at least won't hurt as bad this time....




http://www.centralmidlands.org/boardmembers.asp

http://www.engenuitysc.com/About/Organization.aspx

http://gocmrta.com/

[ZooFuzz]

Richland Co. Council struggles to decide how to fund bus system
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5197495
Richland County) July 25, 2006 - The question of who should pay to keep the buses running got half answered Tuesday evening. Property taxes won't go up to keep Columbia's buses on the ground.


Excuse me, but increase the bus fare. I really do not like having to pay for something that I don't use. Even if, why 40 percent, why not 5 percent, sounds like somebody is lining their pockets. I wonder that might be?????

[ZooFuzz]

Richland Council Stalls Front Yard Parking Ban
A proposal to bar Richland County residents from parking in their front yards is stalled, possibly for good. On July 25, County Council tabled the second of three required votes on the proposed ban, putting it on hold indefinitely. Council members had asked for clearer language when they tentatively moved the restriction forward in July. The ban would have allowed people to park in their driveways, but what would qualify as a driveway was unclear. Front-yard parking appears to be a problem in older neighborhoods where driveways were designed to accommodate one-car families. Now that most households have more than one vehicle, people often park in their yards in addition to their driveways.

City Changes Hours for Parks
Get out of the park after dark. That's City Council's new dictum for many of Columbia's parks. The council voted unanimously July 26 to scale back the nighttime hours of parks and standardize the times they open and close. Previously open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in some cases, many small parks, such as Rosewood and Pacific, now are open from sunup to sundown. Finlay, Memorial and other large parks now are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The council made the changes because of security concerns following a couple of highly publicized crimes at Finlay Park in recent months. While people cannot stay in parks when they're closed, they still can walk through parks after hours. The council plans to review the new hours after daylight saving time ends.

Richland Nixes Tax Hike, Considers Fees for Buses
The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority still needs cash to keep its buses running in 2007. Facing a possible 85 percent reduction in bus routes this January, Richland County Council is considering a $20 increase in road maintenance fees that would generate $5.5 million for the public transportation system. However, the CMRTA needs $7.5 million to keep operating as is. County Council said July 25 that it will not raise taxes to keep the bus system afloat. The council expects the city of Columbia and Lexington County to help pay for the CMRTA. The proposed fee increase is a temporary answer. The transit system faces another shortage in 2009 because money from the transportation system's previous owner, SCE&G, will run out.

Two Vacancies Looming on Recreation Commission
With a lawsuit between the Richland County Recreation Commission and Richland County Council likely to end soon with a settlement, council members say it is time to start looking ahead. The council needs to appoint two new commission members. Only two of the five commissioners who filed the lawsuit last year ‹ James Davis and Stephen King ‹ remain on the Recreation Commission. The five sought to block a new state law that moved the power of choosing commission members from state legislators to County Council. The lawsuit temporarily stopped the council from appointing new commissioners. As part of the potential settlement, both Davis and King must vacate their positions. County Council plans to advertise those two openings this fall. In the meantime, Davis and King will continue to serve as commissioners.

To Pave or Not to Pave
Richland County Councilwoman Bernice Scott caught lashing criticism last year for moving a road in front of her property to the top of the county's paving list. The county paved part of the road several years ago and then stopped when several residents said they preferred it remain unfinished for horseback riding. Scott reasoned that because it had previously been at the top of the county's paving list that is was still there. Fellow council members bucked and Scott agreed to let the list be. Nothing more came of it until last month. A County Council committee reviewed a proposal July 25 to allow council members to reorder the Road Priority List. The full County Council will consider the idea in September.

[ZooFuzz]

IF YOU GO

What: Public hearing on a proposal to add a $20 vehicle fee paid by Richland County residents to fund public transit
When: 6 p.m. today
Where: Richland County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St. in Columbia


County Council considering $20 vehicle fee to keep buses rolling

Car owners in Richland County and its municipalities would pay an annual fee to keep the bus system afloat under a proposal being considered by County Council.
Tonight, county leaders expect a big turnout and possibly hours of testimony at a public hearing on the issue.
The county is considering adding $20 to the car-tax bills paid each year by residents countywide and $30 to bills paid for business vehicles.
Council members see the car tax as a temporary solution to the long-term problem of paying for the bus system.
Some say they’re obligated to step in because the bus system is essential to low-wage earners and disabled people; it’s running out of money; and the county has the authority to fund transit without going to the voters.
In the coming year, officials hope to come up with a regional commitment to fund the system, which costs $11 million a year and serves an average of 22 passengers an hour.
Service is concentrated in Columbia but extends from Springdale in Lexington County to Northeast Richland.
Since the car tax idea came up two months ago, council members say they’ve gotten a lot of reaction, mostly negative.
But Councilman Mike Montgomery considers the service crucial. “Somebody has to step up and exert some sort of leadership,” he said.
Not everyone on the 11-member council is on board.
Councilwoman Val Hutchinson said state and local governments should join with social-service agencies, churches and businesses to provide bus service.
“It’s not that it’s not a noble idea,” she said, “it’s just an extremely expensive idea.”
The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the car tax as a solution.
Historically, the bus system was operated by South Carolina Electric & Gas. The company and the city of Columbia negotiated an end to SCE&G’s role in 2002.
Since then, the bus system has been run by the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, which does not have the authority to tax.

If you go (http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/15496629.htm)
6/10/06 | Rantin: Passengers worry over bus services (http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/14785823.htm)
Survey | Should Richland County raise residents' fees to subsidize CMRTA? (http://javascript<b></b>:void(x=open('http://www.thestateonline.com/news/poll/060912_cmrta.htm','hugo','toolbar=no,location=no,s tatus=no,menubar=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,w idth=450,height=400'));x.focus();)



Looks like County Council is going to try and screw the voters....Again!!!.

[ZooFuzz]

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/15504980.htm

Check out the minutes of the meeting of Richland County Council last night. Page 26.
http://www.richlandonline.com/departments/countycouncil/archive/cc20060912.pdf

According to the minutes RCC wants to raise cars taxes to / $20.00 road maint.fee & $20.00 bus support fee = $40.00 for privately owned vehicles and $20.00 road maint.fee & $30.00 bus support fee = $50.00 for commerical vehicles.
As before, it had been said that the RC voters should have been given the chance to vote on this. The members of the current council will not be getting my vote next election.

[Captain Worley]

Looks like they are going to start putting pressure on Cayce and West Columbia for money too. I think it is time to write the mayor and tell him I want no part of baling Columbia out of the mess they brought upon themselves.

[ZooFuzz]

Council a vote shy of allowing measure to make vehicle owners pay for bus system

A measure to tax Richland County vehicle- owners to pay for public transit fell one vote short Tuesday, forcing advocates to delay a final decision until October.
Five members of Richland County Council appeared ready to change this year’s budget to impose fees of $16 per car/truck and $24 per commercial vehicle.
But as the council debated other changes to the four-page document, it became clear the votes weren’t there to sign off on the measure.
Here’s how it appears to be shaping up:
• The council wouldn’t provide the car-tax money unless the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority agreed to raise fares by 25 cents, to $1.50.
• Lexington County leaders would have to come up with money to help fund the system by January 2007 or face elimination of routes serving Cayce and West Columbia.
• A 33-member citizen commission would spend the next two years studying the long-range transportation needs of Richland County, including buses, new roads and bike trails.
The commission could be a prelude to asking voters for a penny on the dollar sales tax in 2008.
The new vehicle fee would be collected for a maximum of two years — no longer, promised Councilman Mike Montgomery, who is leading the effort to raise $7.5 million to keep the buses running.
Without the money, bus officials have said the system would run out of money in early 2009.
Last week, hundreds of people turned out at a public hearing on the issue, a crowd overwhelmingly supportive of the fee.
But council members acknowledged a flood of phone calls, e-mails and letters over the summer from people saying riders should pay for the system.
Most riders are disabled or minimum-wage earners.
The hurdle that kept the measure from completion Tuesday is a requirement that budget amendments pass on a majority-plus-one vote.
With three council members absent — and that’s unusual — advocates of the tax for transit fell short, but council rules allowed the issue to be deferred instead of dying.
Voting “yes” were Smith, Montgomery, Paul Livingston, Joe McEachern and Greg Pearce.
Casting “no” votes were Joyce Dickerson, Val Hutchinson and Damon Jeter.
Absent were Doris Corley, Tony Mizzell and Bernice Scott. For the measure to pass, two of them would have to vote “yes.”
Hutchinson argued that Richland County vehicle owners shouldn’t be forced to pay for a system they can’t use.
“What we have now is not regional mass transit. We have an inefficient bus system,” she said.
Hutchinson also said if Richland County steps up, it would miss out on “a prime time for negotiations” with Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia.
But Montgomery said it’s time to “step up and take the heat” at a time when other elected officials have refused.
“This is a seminal moment in our community when we have an opportunity to show leadership,” he said.
“This council is about serving the public.”
Rider James Irwin, who attended the meeting, found it incredible that the council would even talk about some day raising fares as high as $2.
“I’m just stunned by the whole thing,” he said.

[Unregistered987654321]

(Richland County) - Richland County Council passed an ordinance increasing the road maintenance fee for vehicles Tuesday night.

The ordinance increases the maintenance fee to $36.00 for private vehicles and $44.00 for commercial vehicles. Of that collected, $20.00 will go towards road maintenance work and $16.00 or $24.00 goes towards mass transit.

The increase will likely go into effect January 2, 2007.

Whahahahahaha suckers.. I'm glad i'm not in Richland anymore.

[Captain Worley]

I am too. I suggest the RC voters remember that next time an election comes.

[ZooFuzz]

One member of Richland County Council was “irritated” by last-minute revisions. Another was “embarrassed” by confusing flub-ups in the vote count.
But at the end of an untidy, hourlong debate Tuesday, the council approved a controversial car fee to benefit the Columbia-area bus system. The vote was 7-4.
Car owners in Columbia and Richland County will see the new transit fee — $16 for privately owned vehicles, $24 for business vehicles — starting with November’s property-tax bills. Additionally, riders likely will see a 25-cent hike in fares, to $1.50, starting Jan. 2.
Councilwoman Bernice Scott called the issue “the hottest thing I have ever dealt with” during her years on the council.



I truely hope the members of Richland County Council have enjoy their time on the council, because this is the last term they will be in. I could vote for the Devil and get a better deal. I wonder had bad City Council is going to screw the city people or is it just the county people being told to bend over??/

[ZooFuzz]

Accountants Will Answer $6 Million Question
An independent auditor will resolve a disagreement between Richland County Council and Columbia City Council about how tax money was spent in the Vista. The county claims the city misspent $6 million. The city says it has done nothing wrong. Both governments agree the best answer is to hire an accounting firm to go through the financial records. The county and city will split the firm's costs. The disagreement over spending in the Vista has gone on for several months, some say years. In April, the county notified the city that an accountant found 13 discrepancies in financial records for projects completed in the Vista, which is a tax-increment financing (TIF) district. Per the TIF contract, both governments must agree on money spent in the district. After the accountant's report, the county threatened to recoup the money by withholding tax payments from the city. ‹ WP


This must be why our vehicle taxes are going to up, to cover county council's screw up!

[TruthBTold]

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/breaking_news/15864938.htm

CMRTA's 'Buses of Fear' event canceled today; still on Saturday


The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority has cancelled a Halloween-inspired event this evening because of rainy weather expected to continue all day.
The haunted bus event, "Four Buses of Fear," is still on for 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Wal-Mart on Forest Drive, said spokeswoman Stephanie Johnson in a news release.
The event offers two buses for adults and two for children. Admission of $2, or $1 for costumed children. Proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Johnson said.

I'm not knocking raising money for a good cause, but CMRTA should be raising money for their system instead of raising the taxes of the richland county voters to pay for their system which by the way does not service all the residents only some.

[ZooFuzz]

I realize I'm beating a dead horse, but the addition to my vehicle taxes really burns me:mad: . I just received my vehicle tax bill and RCC includes the new money as part of "Road Maintenance Fee", so it went from from $20 to $36. They're going to tap the taxpayers of RC for that damn bus system, a good portion of the voters aren't even close enough to use or benefit from the system, but they sure as hell have enough money to now advertise on local television the CMRTA/Columbia Midland Regional Transit Authority and even invite you to visit their website http://www.gocmrta.com/. They don't have the money to support it, but have plenty to tell you about it!!!:evil: :evil: :evil:

[Captain Worley]

Once again, allow me to say: I'm glad I don't live in Richland County, land of the onerous taxation.

[Unregistered]

I realize I'm beating a dead horse, but the addition to my vehicle taxes really burns me:mad: . I just received my vehicle tax bill and RCC includes the new money as part of "Road Maintenance Fee", so it went from from $20 to $36. They're going to tap the taxpayers of RC for that damn bus system, a good portion of the voters aren't even close enough to use or benefit from the system, but they sure as hell have enough money to now advertise on local television the CMRTA/Columbia Midland Regional Transit Authority and even invite you to visit their website http://www.gocmrta.com/. They don't have the money to support it, but have plenty to tell you about it!!!:evil: :evil: :evil:

CMRTA to Expand Route to Village at Sandhill
(Columbia) - The CMRTA Board of Directors voted Monday to expand its current bus service to include the Village at Sandhill shopping center.
http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=48142

I guess since the Richland Counnty taxpayers are now footing the bill, the CMRTA can afford to expand a lot!!!

[Unregistered]

Richland tax hike would benefit workers
Richland County budget staffers have recommended a property tax increase, with new money primarily to retain employees.

At a Thursday work session, administrator Milton Pope requested a tax increase for 2007-08 amounting to $8.80 for the owner of a $100,000 home. Pilots who store their planes at Owens Field also would pay more.

The $127 million general fund budget includes 18 new employees, including a transportation planner. It counts on the maximum increase allowed under a new state law to control property taxes.

The county’s general operating fund is $119 million now.



Richland County Taxpayers hold your noses, here it comes again !!!!!!

[Registered RC Taxpayer]

Richland tax hike would benefit workers
Richland County budget staffers have recommended a property tax increase, with new money primarily to retain employees.

At a Thursday work session, administrator Milton Pope requested a tax increase for 2007-08 amounting to $8.80 for the owner of a $100,000 home. Pilots who store their planes at Owens Field also would pay more.

The $127 million general fund budget includes 18 new employees, including a transportation planner. It counts on the maximum increase allowed under a new state law to control property taxes.

The county’s general operating fund is $119 million now.

COUNTY COUNCIL WHERE IS THAT PROMISE FROM 5/10/15/20 YEARS AGO THAT IF WE RAISED SALES TAX THAT YOU WOULD ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES. WILL THIS HAPPEN IN OUR LIFE TIMES OR THE NEXT CENTURY??

[Captain Worley]

COUNTY COUNCIL WHERE IS THAT PROMISE FROM 5/10/15/20 YEARS AGO THAT IF WE RAISED SALES TAX THAT YOU WOULD ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES. WILL THIS HAPPEN IN OUR LIFE TIMES OR THE NEXT CENTURY??

You didn't really believe that, did you? That's why I never vote yes for any sort of tax increase.

[swampfox]

What were the other "biggest lies in the world"? One was "The check's in the mail." Can't remember the others.

[Unregistered]

http://www.channonchristian.com

[ZooFuzz]

What were the other "biggest lies in the world"? One was "The check's in the mail." Can't remember the others.


In addition to the old lines about "The check is in the mail" and
"Certainly, I'll respect you in the morning," modern events have made for
modern lies to take their place among the classics. Following are some of
the "new" classics:

I never inhaled.

I never watch television except PBS.

I will be devoting my life to finding the real killer of my wife Nicole
and Ron Goldman.

The engine is supposed to make that noise.

Just take a left after the lights -- you can't miss it.

Don't worry, I can get another 40 miles when the gauge is on "empty."

Just ignore him -- he's never bitten anyone.

It's not the money, it's the principle of the thing



Have a nice day. Z

[cuebald]

Does that mean you wouldn't vote a Clinton-Obama ticket nest year?

[swampfox]

I'm still hoping for a Clinton-Clinton ticket. Get this country back on track.

[Unregistered12345]

...........with Bill and Hill.

[swampfox]

If that little thought brings you happiness, then I can only be grateful that I was here to give it to you. I'm getting the feeling that your world is dark and very lonely. Lots of bad relationships, no really good ones. Think of me travelling to any place in the world, just as a stress reliever.

Make tomorrow your own special day.

[Captain Worley]

Man, if Cuba does open up to Americans again, it'll be a happy day.

[swampfox]

Should be wonderful cheap vacations, at least for a year or two.

[ZooFuzz]

I am hoping Swamp moves to Cuba[/B] .


Swamp, if you're going, send back some Cuban cigars. Been a long time.

[swampfox]

I certainly will. I just happen to have a connection in one of the small but truly great tobaccaderos.

And rum. Of course we haven't had any in fifty years, but Cuba makes the best.

And the women, Senor. If you would be looking for a beautiful young wife......

[Unregistereddeheh]

............and never return, really!

[swampfox]

O come on, you guys are not real good kidders, are you?

I got to tell you I get a tear in my eye now and then when you express your affection for me with your funny jokes.

They say that the mountains in Cuba are the most beautiful in the world, the air there is crisp and tastes like the blue waters of the many shining rivers and waterfalls with a hint of fresh flowers and tropical fruits and la gracia del Luna.

Somewhere up there is where the American gangsters used to dump the bodies of any cane-slaves that got out of line before Fidel came along and screwed it up for everybody and then became a gangster himself. It's weird how that works out sometimes, you know?

About half of the Cubans in the world are now in Miami anyway. Worried about them being on welfare? Heck, they own Miami. Jeb Bush didn't didn't go to El Porta-Juan without saying "Por favor, gracias, Senor." His brother does the same but he says it to Senor Cheney in the language of El Diablo, which mortal men may not speak.

It pains me not to honor your request that I move to Cuba, but I will certainly visit it as soon as it is possible. Get your cigar orders ready!

I am, however considering buying some land in Dillon County. There is going to be a slight change in the route of I-73 that nobody yet knows about. It will be free money, and a lot of it.

[ZooFuzz]

Yourself........
137


Your Buyer........
138



Your Lender........
139


Your Appraiser.......
140


Your Tax Assessor......
141

[cuebald]

I didn't know my appraiser took a picture of my house.

I wonder if I can get royalties?

[Unregistered------------]

Call me stupid but one would think they would RAISE the rates for the people who use that service.

AMEN

[Unregistered from Abroad]

I've been in iraq for the past year and should be home in the next few months.. So i've been a little out of the loop.. Looks like way way way out of the loop.

I do have to ask this question though.. When SCE&G Said they no longer wanted to run the bus service they did say they were losing money on it right? I vaguely remember that..

Granted i see the service being useful for some in the county, but i have never in my life ever ridden on the county bus system. In fact i have a vehicle that i pay a pretty penny for so that i do not have to ride on the bus.

I have observed a CMRTA Bus service going as far as Newberry .. Im baffled did SCE&G do this during their time? and if they did not why did CMRTA Feel the need to do it?

I can understand increasing your ridership by increasing service areas, but that goes to your rates.. Look at the cab service.. They dont ask the county for any money to provide a service.. If they dont charge enough money then they fail! I say let the bus service fail if they cant bring in the money through fares!

[ZooFuzz]

Good News.........Richland County restaurants will drop to a penny on the dollar
So meals at restaurants — only in unincorporated Richland County, however — will be taxed one penny on the dollar.


Bad News..........Richland County vehicle taxes are going up to $10.00 per vehicle to support that DAM bus system AGAIN!!!
County Council has reinstituted a transit fee of $10 on private vehicles and $15 on commercial vehicles.

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/847851.html

As of today, the restaurant tax and property taxes due on vehicles are changing in Richland County.
County Council has reinstituted a transit fee of $10 on private vehicles and $15 on commercial vehicles.
The fee, which applies to residents countywide, will be reflected on annual property tax bills.


if It will generate $5.65 million over the next two years to keep buses running and give policymakers time to figure out a new model for funding public transportation.
As a trade-off, the council cut a 2-cents-on-the-dollar restaurant tax in half.
That tax break starts today, too.
So meals at restaurants — only in unincorporated Richland County, however — will be taxed one penny on the dollar.
The change does not apply at restaurants in Columbia, Forest Acres, Arcadia Lakes or Blythewood.
Joe Cronin, the county’s research manager, said it’s hard to estimate the savings, but it could be $20 to $40 a year for a family of four.
“The average family is going to break even — maybe come out a little ahead — depending on where they dine out and how often,” Cronin said.
Forest Acres resident Horace F. Jackson said he’s more than happy to pay for bus service in the hopes it will improve.
As for his restaurant tab, Jackson, who eats out two or three times a week, said he probably won’t even notice the difference when it comes time to pay for his meal.
“I’m going to continue to gripe about it,” he said.


People of Richland County, remember this when we eventually get to vote again.

To save money for the county and put this toward the bus system and paychecks of county employees. Take away county issued vehicles, unless you are a active, commission, officer, then there is no reason that you be issued a car, if you need a county vehicle for county business, then you can drive to your place of work and sign out a vehicle like everyone else. This would save a lot in fuel, maintenance, supplies, etc. There are people (directors, asst.directors, of other assorted personnel) that are either issued or insist on a new vehicle every year, not just something to use for transportation, unmarked high powered patrol cars, this is the same in city gov, county gov, state gov, and federal gov. When is this type of waste going to end, when are these people going to stop sticking it to the taxpayer?

[ZooFuzz]

This opinion applies to the State of South Carolina, the towns, the cities, the counties. Unless you are a certified commission active Law Enforcement Officer in the performance of day to day duties and investigations, you should be the only ones assigned a vehicle to take home and back and forth to work. If you are an active officer performing your duties behind a deck, console, or telephone, then you can drive to work just like everyone else, and if at some point during the course of the day, that you should need a marked/unmarked patrol vehicle, then sign one out like the rest of us.

You can only imagine that amount of money in fuel, and other items that could be save to be put toward other taxsuckers, for instance the city bus system, the raises that we are not going to see this year, out longevity checks that are not going to be issued this year to help with the taxes THAT ARE going to be raised this year and of course the county concils are going to get their raises, but not you. If cars are going to be assigned to non-busy personnel, then assign fuel economy cars, not this gas hogs that the government is famous for.

[watchdogforjustice]

Seems all screwed up, doesn't it? Typical. Once again, I am soooo glad I live across the river. With all the fees and sales taxes RC and the City of Columbia have come up with lately, I'm surprised there isn't more of a public outcry.
Myself and others are glad that you and the other low lives live there.