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What is this?
It’s not batting practice anymore
Published Thursday, August 13, 2009
In sports sometimes the rookies can surprise even the most hardened professional players.
A few weeks ago, Vidalia native Jarrett Hoffpauir amazed St. Louis Cardinals fans by knocking in the go-ahead run in his Major League debut.
Three of the City of Natchez’s “rookies” have equally impressed us, though it took a little bit longer before they made contact with the ball.
Rookie aldermen Dan Dillard, Ernest “Tony” Fields and Mark Fortenbery have shown great wisdom and common sense during the recent city budget woes. Collectively, the three men have been the voice of reason during budget discussions.
And Tuesday, the three plowed ahead with beginning to get the city’s finances righted again despite cries of “what’s the hurry?” by a few of their more experienced fellow office-holders.
The three fiscal musketeers are leading the crusade to ask the tough questions about the city’s finances and — finally — we’re beginning to see glimmers of hope that they’ll get the city back on track.
Cutting their own salaries by 10 percent was an important political move, but it’s going to require much, much more to get the City of Natchez back on solid fiscal ground for years to come.
Changing health care benefits for city employees was also likely a necessity.
The mayor points to a plan that will slowly fix the habit of borrowing money over time, but we’re of the belief that the best solution is an abrupt change in spending. Fix it now, not tomorrow.
Natchez needs a financial home run, not just a base hit, so swing for the fences rather than just trying to bunt our way around the bases.
Comments
Posted by jlmorris (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 4:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe we need to work a deal to trade Joyce, Ricky and Bob?
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 13, 2009 at 4:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We may have some momentum going to correct the city's finances, why not "bite the bullet" and get the bad news behind us.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I sure hope they can turn it around. When the budget comes out we will see how many excuses they make for overspending. Natchez isn't what it used to be. I see Natchez as being at the bottom of the 9th inning down by 3 runs with 2 outs and 2 strikes the aldermen at bat. Most of the crowd has already left the stadium.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 13, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not know if the trade deal would work. I do not figure we can get what Joyce, Ricky and Bob think they are worth.
It maybe a better option to put them on injured reserve and call up Triple A aldermen. Even if we have to pay salaries for injured reserve aldermen, we will be able to cut enough expenses to cover their salaries plus balance the budget.
Just think about it!
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