Posts
OK, folks post your random question here and get a random answer.
(Actually, you should post a non-random question about a topic of interest to you and perhaps others and I will try and provide a non-random answer.)
Monona, baseball, the Presidential campaign, upcoming local events (check out the Calendar of Events on the Monona Chamber of Commerce web site), or whatever.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
So here is a question-
ReplyDeleteWhat percent of the budget is spent on law enforcment in Monona AND is higher then comparable cities?
The new guy running for mayor seems to think there are some savings here...but I do not know about that one.
Henny Penny
Reading an article about Mrs. Palin-don't know if I am going to vote for her, but I did notice one thing.
ReplyDeleteShe cut property taxes when she was mayor.
How are you going to cut our property tax?
Henny Penny,
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting question. Seems like maybe they would have lots more time on their hands now that they don't have to deal with the problems that Garden Circle created.
I was sad to read that you have given up on your quest for chicken legality! Now those flying under the radar (so to speak) must continue to fry their breakfast eggs in secret.
"How are you going to cut our property tax?"
ReplyDeleteDrill for oil in Winnequah Park.
"What percent of the budget is spent on law enforcment in Monona AND is higher then comparable cities?"
ReplyDeleteThis question is harder to answer than you might expect. The state DOR has comprehensive data at http://www.revenue.wi.gov/slf/cotvc/cmreb05.pdf The most recent year is 2005. I suspect it is not a pure apples-to-apples comparison, but here's some data from the state:
In 2005, Monona spent $1.69 million on law enforcement or $209 per capita.
Fitchburg $4.38M or $194/cap
Middleton $3.26M or $195/cap
Stoughton $2.21M or $173/cap
Sun Prairie $5.91M or $244/cap
Verona $1.44M or $158/cap
Madison 48.65M or $219/cap
Monona, unwisely in my opinion, took a federal grant to fund a new police officer in 2007. The grant paid for all of the position in year one, 75% in year 2 and so forth to zero in year 5. So in a couple years, the whole cost will fall on us local property taxpayers.
How many Monona students are enrolled in the 4K program in Monona? I heard there were three sessions at Maywood and two at IHM.
ReplyDelete"How many Monona students are enrolled in the 4K program in Monona? I heard there were three sessions at Maywood and two at IHM."
ReplyDeleteAnybody know the answer to this one?
I'll post one that my wife sent me yesterday.
ReplyDelete"Is McCain high??!?"
:)
If you want an answer to a school question, Peter Sobol who is on the school board has a blog. http://www.petersobol.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteAnd who's the "new guy running for mayor?"
McCain is not high.
ReplyDeleteHe appointed a running mate that is more of a "real person" then the other side nominated...
Yet, I may still hold my nose and vote for Mr. Barak.
Property tax question is till out there....seems to me you gave a random poor answer to a fair and honest questin OR do you just want us all to HOPE.
Ms. Palin lowered property taxes by replacing them with a 2 cent sales tax, but in the end left the city with $20 million in debt. I don't think either of these would be a wise move for Monona.
ReplyDeleteIt always irritates me to here people talk about "cutting taxes". Its not about taxes, its about spending, anything government spends must be paid form, sooner or later, through taxes. So don't talk about cutting taxes, talk about cutting spending.
ReplyDeleteSo, what city services do you think should be cut to reduce spending?
"Is McCain high?"
ReplyDeleteNo, but maybe he should consider it!
To the poster who "may hold your nose" and vote for Obama - I am curious.....how can it be a struggle to decide between the two? It seems they are so very different on how they would approach just about everything, including the war, health care, supreme court appointees, etc. I don't mean this question in a nast way, I truly am curious about people who are undecided and how they view this situation.
ReplyDeleteRE: property tax cuts. I am not going to cut our property taxes and neither is anyone else in Monona. First, it's not feasible given increases in energy and health insurance alone.
ReplyDeleteSecond, it is not desirable - unless you replace the lost revenue with another source. Spending cuts in local government can severely damage or destroy good programs with very little tax relief.
The 'drill for oil' comment was a takeoff on the fact that Alaskans get a dividend check from oil revenues and the royalties offset the cost of state government.
And, of course, I should have said that we would drill for oil offshore, like in the Winnequah Park lagoon or perhaps Lake Monona.
so you are against cutting spending AND lower taxes?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the status of the properties at the corner of Monona Drive and Femrite...the condos and the building fronting on the drive?
ReplyDeleteIt seems that many of the condos are vacant and half the business building is also vacant.
Across the street the buildings are also questionable for vacancies.
Given the TIF background of these properties, and the eminent domain condemnation of some properties as blighted, has Monona really benefited from this development? The condos are not suitable for the character of the surrounds, trees and greenry etc. The business buildings have replaced individual businesses with their own characteristic with mall-look-like development.
Monona seems much more bland and boring because of the Monona-Femrite corner.
Has the Slinde development really helped Monona?
"so you are against cutting spending AND lower taxes?"
ReplyDeleteIf we could cut spending and thus lower taxes and still provide the services that contribute to making Monona an outstanding place to live, then sure, I'm all for cutting spending and taxes.
Can we be adults and admit that it is extremely unlikely that we can cut spending and maintain services?
I have always been quite clear that my priority is to maintain and improve city services.
Again, we could do a lot of damage to services by cutting spending and still not cut property taxes by a noticeable amount. To really cut taxes we would have to stop doing road work or lay off police or other similar drastic measures. I am not the alder who is going to lead that fight.
The Cubs are crashing in spectacular fashion. Does this surprise anyone?
ReplyDeleteAnd the Brewers are not doing much better.
ReplyDeleteBrewers were 20-7 in August...(ok, they're 0-2 in September against a very good opponent.)
ReplyDeleteThe Cubs have room to swoon a little.
According to ESPN, the Cubs have a 99.6% chance of making the playoffs and the Brewers 89.9%.
The four games at Philly starting September 11 may tell the tale for the Brewers.
Cubs Addendum: I just read that Carlos Zambrano has an arm owwie. They'll still make the playoffs, but if it is serious they can kiss the World Series good bye. 100 years and counting.
ReplyDeleteAND -
ReplyDeletewhat type of PIE are YOU making?
LET's go buddy CHICKEN ON CHICKEN PIE BAKING Contest!
Gander Pander
Gandy,
ReplyDeleteAs one of my law professors liked to say,
"You pays your money, you takes your chances."
Buy a ticket, err, make your $10 donation and have a taste.
You are harder to follow then that Obama guy....
ReplyDeleteAre you baking and what are you baking?
Ok. Nice and simple. Come to the event, make your donation, and find out what I baked.
ReplyDelete