An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for 2 January 2009
News From Podunk
Ok, it’s been a while since I’ve updated the world on the doin’s in Podunk, probably cuz I haven’t been home a whole lot lately. But, once again, I’m all ready to share the goings on of the past week in our little corner of the world.
Some five years after the project was initially projected to commence, the Tennessee Department of Transportation is four-laning U.S. 64 from the Savannah city limit five miles east to Fire Tower Road.
Because of a paperwork deadline snafu, Savannah is having to spend $1.9 million to relocate its water and natural gas lines to accommodate the state highway work. The city has a still-pending lawsuit against Nashville-based Garver Engineering related to the missed deadline that prompted TDOT to decide it will not provide the funds to move the lines, according to Savannah City Manager Garry Welch.
First….it’s about time! That road needs to be widened, especially when there are quite a few folks who live out in that area. Second…..say whut? If the company screwed up, then why should the city pay for their snafu? This is the poorest county in the state, yet TDOT thinks we’ve all got money falling out of our hind ends? Pfft!
Just one big new school is latest option
Unless the Hardin County Commission is willing to raise the county property tax rate by about 10 cents, a proposal to build two new 550-student schools and renovate five others will have to be scrapped or scaled back.
“It would be nice if we could afford it,” said school board member David Burgess, “but it appears that we can’t.”
The Hardin County Board of Education on Dec. 9 was given a “guaranteed maximum price” of approximately $38.6 million for a project initially estimated to cost $10 million less.
The maximum amount the county can finance using proceeds generated by the one cent of the local sales tax rate traditionally dedicated for education is $35 million, officials say.
Ok, issue here! The sales tax in this state is already high enough! If the city adds even more, then they’re going to find a whole lot more folks heading down to Mississippi to do their shopping, and will be losing money, instead of increasing it.
Looking back at ’08
The major events of the year that shaped Hardin County: good, bad and undecided
The year 2008 was a year of change in Hardin County–some good, some bad, and some still debatable. On the bad side, without a doubt, was the Feb. 5 tornado which swept across the county, leaving three dead, 12 injured, and causing millions of dollars in property damage. But Hardin County residents turned out in force to help their friends and neighbors in this time of need.
Yeah. That was a rough time around here. Talked to a lady from Sharon Baptist and they still haven’t rebuilt their church. I have full faith they’ll get it done though!
On the good side, a four-year effort by the Hardin County Fire Department to improve fire ratings county-wide paid off in lower property insurance rates for home and business owners.
How do you improve ‘fire ratings’? Make the fires more intense? Yeah yeah…just being a wisenheimer. Glad to know that we’re only a mile and a half from the fire department in our tinier burg.
In a crime which shocked the community, Ken Qualls, a Savannah store owner and youth sports coach who once killed a man and was acquitted by a Hardin County jury, is again charged with murder–this time for shooting one of his employees, Charles Garrard.
I don’t think Qualls is gonna get off on this one. From what I’ve heard, he shouldn’t have gotten off on the first one. Since I’m a newcomer to the area, I don’t really know for sure, but it sure sounds like he should have been behind bars so he couldn’t have murdered Mr. Garrard.
The city of Savannah is approved to participate in the Main Street Tennessee program designed to promote and maintain downtown areas.
One thing about small towns I’ve seen lately….so many have major highways going right through the “downtown” area. Savannah has the dubious pleasure of U.S. 64 being Main St. It’s ugly. One good thing though, trucks do have to go around. Kind of wish there was a REAL square down by the courthouse. Oh well, I don’t live there. 
Chamber still needs award nominees
The awards for the Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and more will be presented at the chamber’s upcoming banquet, set for Thursday, Jan. 22. Three board members will also be elected at the event, which also serves as the business organization’s annual board meeting. Rotating off after serving their terms are Wendell Stockton of Savannah Food Company, Donna King of Hardin County Schools, and Diane Deberry of Hardin Medical Center.
I don’t know a whole lot of folks around here, but I’m getting there. I’d suggest nominating all those people who gave of their time, energy and money, after the tornado last February.
And…there ya go! The front page news! Notice this week, we actually have REAL links? Yep…..coming into the 21st century! Finally! Heh.
On This Day In History……
…..I was telling anyone who would listen….”MAKE IT STOP! I’LL STAY PREGNANT!” No one took me seriously! Wonder why? sigh…. They tell you it’s a pain that you’ll forget, once it’s over.
WRONG!
Thirty four years later, I’m still waiting! 
BRAT!
I’m Baaaaaack!
Yes, technology in Podunk has once again come into the 21st century. Well, y’know what? I wasn’t going to do much posting yesterday anyway, but not being able to catch up on the news was a tad annoying. Reruns of Bill O’Reilly didn’t really do it for me….or the Mr. 
We spent the entire afternoon and evening watch reruns of Bones….many of which we’d never seen before. Odd. I thought we had seen almost ALL of ‘em.
I didn’t have such a terrific start to the New Year. First was the internet. Then I whacked myself in the chin with a HUGE chunk of ice, creating quite a lump. Don’t ask! Then I managed to stab myself with a pair of itty bitty scissors. sigh…. No, I did not have a hangover. I don’t drink. I sure hope these little mishaps are not an indication of how the rest of my year is going to go.
So, what does a woman do when she has no internet access? And is in a fairly pissy mood too? Why….she does SHOPPING! Thinking not having access to news, or email, or ANYTHING, I should probably pick up a phone that does stuff like that. So…..that’s what I did! Hey….if the Mr can get a new toy for his man cave, I can get a new toy too, right? 
So, I got one of these:
So far, I’m having a nervous breakdown. Well, not seriously. Oddly enough, I’m not as dumb as I look! 
Sadly, our cell bill is gonna jump a bit. I mean, unlimited internet access and all that, which so far, isn’t doin’ me a whole lot of good cuz I haven’t set much up yet. 
BUT……at some point, Ick is gonna talk me through the whole mess…..right Ick? RIGHT!
After annoying the poor girl at the Verizon store, I was off to Wally World. Ok, who opened the doors of the loony bin and let out the inmates? Dang! The place was a zoo! And evidently, looking where you are going was not an option for many folks. Defensive cart pushing was definitely in order!
After battling fellow shoppers for a couple of hours (not by choice, was I there that long!), it was time to head home. I have now learned it’s not just in Arkansas that residents of that state drive BAD. Even in itty bitty Podunk, they suck! There was a wreck on the main street and some yahoo from Arkansas had to stop and look, blocking traffic behind him. Literally….stop and gawk! 
The cops, fire department and ambulance had 2 lanes blocked, and this bozo has to stop? Have we become such a society that we have to drool over other people’s misery? Pathetic!
And They Say Palin Wasn’t Vetted….
Sources close to New York Governor David Paterson say it looks like his choice is going to be… you know…. Caroline Kennedy who will…. you know…… fill the senate seat vacated by….. you know….. Hillary Clinton.
New York Gov. David Paterson says the search is ongoing, but two people close to him tell The Associated Press they believe Caroline Kennedy will be appointed to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate.
Following continuing criticism of Kennedy, Paterson on Thursday threw down the gauntlet. Though Kennedy appears to be the front-runner to replace Clinton, Paterson said the next junior Senator from New York will have to win re-election on his or her own.
I’m not sure what he’s basing his choice on but it’s defintely not on experience or looks…… You know.
Cross posted from Silent E
Internet Issues…
Just wanted to pass on the word from the Ol’ Broad that she is having internet issues, that most likely will not be resolved until Saturday. She actually sent me a text requesting I put this post up this morning. I’m running alittle behind due to a massive hangover.
My mission has been completed, now I’m off to bed…
