Getting the cart before the horse!
The Union County supervisors have been working on a new home for the local DHS folks.
The problem is: I don't get the idea that anyone really knows what they need, if anything. Everyone always wants more space. But is it needed? I still have not heard anyone tell me what is needed or how much.
I know if I wanted to spend $200,000 of my boss's money, he would be asking a lot of questions about where is it going and for what?
Presently, it is not costing the taxpayers of Union County a lot of money to house the DHS employees and now we are looking at being on the hook for $200,000 in rent, utilities, insurance and upgrades to a leased building.
I know we get some of this reimbursed from two other counties, but the majority of it still comes from Union County and it is all taxpayer money no matter what county it comes from!
I think a lot more homework and some justification to the public is needed before we go signing any dotted lines.
High Lakes
The local High Lakes Outdoor Alliance is having its yearly fundraiser and dinner on Oct. 11. The banquet will be at Three Mile Lodge with the dinner at 6 p.m. and the auction at 7 p.m.
I understand the new gun club is coming along and should be partially operational by the end of October. There will be an update on the club and some information on the local fisheries given out at the meeting.
Speaking of fish
I went fishing last weekend and the fish were biting pretty good. It looks like they are trying to fatten up for the winter. Fall is always a great time to get out and fish. I've caught my biggest fish in the fall of the year.
Richest/poorest
The Census Bureau released its block census information the other day for 2011.
The poorest states in order are: Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky and Alabama. The richest states in order are: Maryland, Alaska, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The poverty rate is up to 15.1 percent for the United States, which is the highest it has been since 1993. Only one state (Vermont) saw an increase in income from 2010 to 2011. All the rest of the states were unchanged or lost income.
National incomes have dropped an average of 8 percent from 2007. Not good!
Good News/bad news
The unemployment figures for August were put out the other day. The good news is, we here in Iowa are still at 5.5 percent, which is much better than the U S average, which is 8.1 percent.
The bad news is, we have lost a-tenth of a percent from the previous month.
Many of the counties in southern Iowa also saw their rates move up instead of down, but the good news is, many counties in our area are in the the 4 to 5 percent range in unemployment.
Clarke is the highest around 5.9 percent.
CAT
The Crest Area Theatre and Creston Rotary Club are presenting their annual Dinner/Theatre on Oct. 11, 12 and 14.
This year's mystery dinner theatre will be at the Union County Historical complex with dinner on the 11th and 12th and a dessert matinee on the 14th. The title of the mystery is "Death in Them Thar Hills."
Tickets are available at the Creston News Advertiser office.
A cowboy dinner will be served.
YMCA
The Creston YMCA is getting back up to speed with most of the areas open. The new gym floor is very colorful and the colors in the weight room are now much brighter. The pool is still not open, but hopefully sometime in October it will be filled and ready to go.
Thought for the week: There is no security on this earth; there is only opportunity. — Douglas MacArthur
