Philosophy of Jim Catron, Mayor, Commissioner
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Philosophy of Jim Catron, Mayor, Commissioner
The Athenian Oath
We will never bring disgrace on this our City by an act of dishonesty or cowardice. We will fight for the ideal and Sacred Things of the City’s laws, and will do our best to incite a like reverence and respect in those above who are prone to annul them or set them at naught. We will strive increasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty. Thus is in all these ways we will transmit this City, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.
*Political advertisement paid for and approved by Jim Catron*
Jim, a community garden sounds like a nifty idea. As long as you are on the trail of nifty ideas, how about considering a couple more. Why do we have huge, expensive lawn mowers cutting the grass with prisoners on them? The old fashioned reel type mowers – that OMG – you push, do a much better job of cuttting grass. Last for many years. Cost relative pennies, don’t use gas or oil or spark plugs and don’t pollute. Heck the prisoners are there anyway. And if you get around to that one, get rid of weed eaters. Buy some top of the line hand clippers. And then to cap it off, get rid of the blowers. Where does anyone think they are blowing stuff to? The street? The storm drains? What is wrong with brooms and dust pans? Just a couple thoughts. Probably be infringing on prisoners rights.
Melva Morfaw, the Madison County Extension Service, the City of Madison, and the Madison County Recreation Association are working together to establish a community garden south of the site of the Suwannee River Community College/Suwannee River High School on 360A. The dedication ws two weeks ago.
Wouldn’t a community garden be fun?!
Amtrak service from Jacksonville to New Orleans will not resume any time soon. Congressman Sutherland has not spoken on behalf of restoring service. The Amtrack assessment of the cost to resume service included significant costs which the states and local governments would be responsible for. These included making stations fully accessible. Both Mississippi and Louisiana have made progress towards restoration, citing the value to the Gulf coast economic recovery.
We do not have a transportation system. Our continued dependence on the interstaste highway system has meant that alternate transportation is not seriously considered. Closure of small airports will heighten the demand on the highway system and promote rising congrestion, particulary around metropolitian areas.
@Mr. C.,
Sounds like a good idea. However, may I suggest you submit your updates and other info to the Voice and request the site manager post your updates on this site. Don’t really see a need for you to set up another internet site for local info.
Incidentally, can you please provide an update on the renewal of AMTRAC service to north Florida? Congressman Sutherland was in town recently. Did he address this issue?
I am considering providing periodic eMail updates to interested city residents. “Government in the Sunshine” is a significant issue which must be considered.
Also, am considering helping to develop and present an overview of city government specific to Madison similar to that presented by The Village Square.
If interested in either or both, please contact me at Catronj@aol.com.
Jim Catron, Madison City Commission District 3
@ Frank and Eddie,
Reckon I went too far with the Mayor. the peasant has friends who read this site and offer advice privately especially when I have crossed the line. I ask each of you to watch the attached video and tell me if this community needs to find places for folks to plant gardens cause the system we got ain’t working and will certainly not work in the future.
http://revolutionarypolitics.tv/video/viewVideo.php?video_id=15915
Mayor,
Thank you for the response. As a traditional conservative myself please watch the following two brief videos and share your thoughts how our philosophies might differ. More importantly notice how many of the issues we have discussed in the past are addressed. “The greatest lesson to learn is to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.”
Kudos for using this site as a campaign tool. Encourage others to follow your lead.
The links referred to above are ..
http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=172677
http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=172677
Peasant, thank you for sharing. Grass or weeds fill empty space. Sometimes we plant flowers, replanting as appropriate for the season. We can do the same with vegetables and fruit which can be grown here. There are empty spaces throughout our communities. We can do more for our selves and in the process do more for others. Community Supported Agriculture (see Mel Wynn) is a concept which has tremendeous implications for helping each other.
Community neighborhood watches bring people together to be on the watch for suspicious activity; community gardens can bring neighbors together to help each other. This might even be thought of as a modern equivalent of barn building by neighbors in the past.
mayor,
please muse upon the map included in this article. http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2012-01-13/what-it-looks-when-food-grows-everywhere
I talked to Ms. Mitchell.
The correct eMail address is mitchellc@nfcc.edu and the telephone number is 973-1702.
Thank you for pointing out that the eMail address was incorrect.
Mayor Catron
Better look at that email address again. My inquiry message came back. Said the address did not exist.
My e-mail to mitchelic@nfcc.edu did not come back to me. In addition, I called 973-1702 and left a message.
I will go on campus on Thursday morning and will pay for Organic Gardening 101.
If unsuccessful, I will post that fact on MadisonFloridaVoice.
Hope to see the peasant on Saturday – and I will not reveal his/her name to the public.
mayor,
are you sure of that email address for Ms. Mitchell? I tried to get into the last class, but the email I sent came back to me as a dud. Just how does one communicate with this person?
Organic Gardening 101: Warm Season Crop Planning, Saturday, January 14, Green Industries, from 9 am to 12 pm. Cost is $ 25. Call 973-1702 for more information or email mitchelic@nfcc.edu.
No one gives away anything. Learning how to be self sufficient is part of life. Learning how to help o0thers without expecting to be told thank you is also part of life. Service above self should be a way of life. “What have you do for me lately” is the wrong attitude. The right question is what have I done to help others.
Hope to see you on Saturday at the Organic Gardening workshop.
Mayor and other local officials,
http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2012-01-11/if-you-want-more-local-food-stop-criminalizing-family-farmers
Gee, is someone giving away land? I want some! Pretty please?
@Peasant – Thanks for the smile! I’ve been a Clown all my days and hope to continue, lol…too many Red Skelton shows were devoured by me (HUGE FAN!) and he always closed his show with the following link, http://www.televisiontunes.com/Red_Skelton_Show_-_Ending_(The).html , guess it just stuck in that Hard Head of Mine and took root, LOL.
Take Care!
@Dee,
Oh! the irony. You knew one of my favorite songs, especially the lyrics. Remember, they only send out the clowns when they don’t want you to notice them changing the set and that you, me in this case, are the clown. Plus It refers to the fact that clowns would be sent in as a distraction if something went wrong during a performance
Please forgive. Sometime I get carried away. Thanks for the reset. I needed that. “It was his “think-machine” that had gone wrong, …..” Martin Eden, Jack London
cheers,
*Political advertisement paid for and approved by Jim Catron*
Sorry L.N.- that’s just how we roll during a round table discussion, Thanks John!
Peasant, thank you for that last musical video, lots to chew on there. I bow to Thee and leave a lighter note behind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvZex3Qf7QQ&feature=related
Take Care!
Wow, how did a centuries old oath from a foreign shore start all this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tyIjfE-tIk
OOOOOOOOOOOO, I WANNA PLAY!! I am an older generation who used to be a LOT younger, LOL, and I am using the same lines and concerns that was said to me. I HOPE things will work out one day as time (and history) marches on.
I know when I was younger, we NEVER came in doors until dark…nowadays, my grand-kids don’t have that pleasure, thanks to drug pushers/ sex predators/ ozone warnings/ life! Point is, until we get to the meat of whatever’s wrong with/in this world, we’ll NEVER get better. YES the world is changing…it always has and always will. I just know I wont be here to see it in the end and sometimes I have to be OK with that.
Here is my favorite musical replies, Enjoy!
Cats in the Cradle
by Harry Chapin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSwL9deXNW8&feature=related
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said, “I’m gonna be like you, Dad,
You know I’m gonna be like you”
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, dad, I don’t know when,
But we’ll get together then, Son,
You know we’ll have a good time then.
My son turned ten just the other day
He said “Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play
can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today,
I got a lot to do” He said “Thats okay”
And then he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said “I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m going to be like him”
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, dad, I dont know when,
But we’ll get together then, Son,
You know we’ll have a good time then.
Well he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say,
“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”
He shook his head, and he said with a smile
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?”
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we’ll get together then, Dad,
You know we’ll have a good time then.
I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day……..
I said “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”
He said “I’d love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.
But It’s sure nice talking to you, Dad,
It’s been sure nice talking to you……..”
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me…………..
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we’ll get together then, Dad
We’re gonna have a good time then.
FATHER AND SON LYRICS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q29YR5-t3gg&feature=related
Father:
It’s not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
You’re still young, that’s your fault,
There’s so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.
I was once like you are now, and I know that it’s not easy,
To be calm when you’ve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you’ve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.
Son:
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
It’s always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
Father:
It’s not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
You’re still young, that’s your fault,
There’s so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
if you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.
Son:
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it.
If they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them you know not me.
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
Peasant gives us good selections and questions. I offer an answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6mKMV0d2cs
Then I will ask this question. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP6B9HttRI8&feature=related
and when i get up early tomorrow I will listen to this song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKoRp05L95c&feature=related
yup, you have had and interesting day and red a book. But, answer this question, please!.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPr_WQm0-UY&feature=related
Would you believe that I have been unable to connect to the Internet because of what appears to be ujpgrades by Century Link. I am at Books-A-Million.
Demographics explains the present. History tells us about the past. We chose how we look at the future. And we have free will as we make our decisions.
I recommend reading Wes Moore’s book, The Other Wes Moore.
Each of us knows individuals who have overcome their environment – their home life – and become productive members of society. We also know individuals who had loving parents, a good homelife, who made decisions which have been devastating to their parents.
Each of lives by a philosophy – it is evident to others if not to ourselves.
It is easy to be critical; difficult to accept the criticism of others. “Constructive” criticism always seems constructive to the people giving – and not quite as constructive to the person receiving.
Jim Catron
And where, pray tell, is Mr. Catron who started all this hullabaloo? Try this one on for size. Anyone can get down, get behind. Been there, done that. If you need help, it ought to be available in what used to be the richest country in the world. But if you need some public help, why don’t you have to DO SOMETHING for 25 hours a week. You can look for a job with the other 15. If you were really looking for a job, it is more like a 60 or 70 hour week, anyway. Mentor struggling kids in school. Pick up trash. Paint, mow grass. Visit elderly folks in nursing homes. If the powers that be run out of stuff for folks to do, they can always call me and I wil make some suggestions. If I am out of town, call knottypine. Jim is a great guy, and a good public servant. Regardless of whether I agree or disagree with some of his positions, I am always confident that he believes that he is doing the best thing for the community – and you can’t ask for much more than that. Now to my trees.
Peasant and eddie need to do some time in the retail business in our town to realize that there is whole bunch of seemingly healthy people utilizing the entitlements mainly through SSI and foodstamps. I done my time in the trenches servicing these folks and I am sure many of them were deserving of what they receive. I will also tell you first hand that those that appeared to be working the system (the majority in my opinion) were most often some of the rudest folks I have ever dealt with. Loud, vulgar language and a sense of audacious urgency was often my experience. And all the while, where did they have to go so quickly? Surely not to work.
eddie, I’m beginning to think that you don’t really have the pictures. As for the income, I believe the bulk of it is from Social Security. But I can and will check on that and get back to you since I know her cousin. Since LBJ stole all the SS $ to finance the Vietnam War, the politiciians have stayed busy spending all the money we send in, and replacing it with their markers. There is no more $ except for what working people send in every month, which is immediately paid out. But there is a big pile of markers. By the time we need the $, the pols are long gone and have a darn bridge named after them like they did something clever. And then the bridge collapses because of shoddy construction due to kickbacks, payoffs and general don’t give a darn. The guy we need as president is a cross between Ron Paul and George Patton, with emphasis on the Patton. Iran is threatening us for goodness sakes! IRAN! Fifty years ago they were riding camels and camping in the desert, cutting each others heads off in dramatic fashion. Now they are telling the US what is going to happen? Patton would not tolerate that long and Iran would rue the day. I was at the Health Department the other day to see about some septic regulations. There is a sign in there that says if you do not speak English, we will have an interpreter here in a short bit. And there are about 40 different languages, a number of which I have never heard. What in the world is that about? eddie, go look for yourself since you seem to be doubting my veracity. Well, I have to run kids, have about 15,000 trees to plant and not much time to do it in.
Peasant , I think in communist China the leaders of said party are the capitalists . Also glad to hear you own land , I was afraid you might start espousing the redistribution of land to those that are capable but will not work .
@ Frank,
Think I will just rest my case.
@ Sydney,
Just trying to follow the money. Draw your own conclusions. Yes, I remember Conway quarters. The programs being discussed have had a very positive impact on the lives of many of our poorest citizens.
@ Knotty pine,
Sorry to disappoint but I have been a free market capitalist my whole life. Own a little property in both the city and the county and a small farm down state. Capitalism is the most effective economic system ever for exploiting the natural world and I have benefited modestly. (This, by the way, is because it follows the “maximum power principal”, which you can google and learn all about. )
Think about the global economic situation for a moment. Why is it that the largest capitalist system in the world is in debt to the largest socialist system to the tune of about a trillion dollars? Do you believe there are infinite non renewable natural resources on a finite planet? etc. Sorry, In my dotage I get carried away sometime.
Racism is a very serious issue in our little hamlet. I wish everyone could take a genetic test to determine their ancestry. Would you believe there is no gene for race? We are all descended from african ancestry and therefore brothers and sisters. “”If you don’t reach down and help your brother up, he will reach up and pull you down.”
Incidentally, I am not projecting a crash in our economy in the near future. But things are definitely going to change and now is the time to begin making the transition to the future that awaits us all. One does not wait until they are thirsty to begin digging a well.
@ Eddie,
Madison is fortunate to have individuals like you as a citizen. Your words reminds me of a favorite bit of verse.
“Take care of your Thoughts because they become Words.
Take care of your Words because they will become Actions.
Take care of your Actions because they will become Habits.
Take care of your Habits because they will form your Character.
Take care of your Character because it will form your Destiny,
and your Destiny will be your Life “
Gandhi
Frank:
Okay, I’ll bite.
Please describe for me the $3,000 per month for three kids. It’s not food stamps; that’ll max out at about $145 per person, per month, in Florida. So, there’s another program that kicks in approximately $2,500 per month?
Please let me know. I’d like to Google up the name of a public assistance program that will kick in $2,500 per month for three kids whose deceased father was a minimum income resident of Madison, Florida.. Until then, I will presume that you have mis-spoken again.
I’m beginning to really like knotty pine. But to get to basics, a large part of the problem is poor people having multiple births when they can’t afford one child. Black and white. I know one lady that lost her husband in a drunk car wreck, she is dragging in about $3,000 a month for her 3 children. Not that they get much of it. They never made $3,000 a month in their lives when he was around and piddliing at odd jobs. Food stamps are sold for 50% of face value cash as the crack dealers don’t accept them yet. Day care is paid for, evidently that scam involves you watching my kids this week and I watch yours next week, we both get paid and split the money. Utility bill assistance. Rent subsidized. SSI, which used to be called “Crazy Money”. Stop making having babies a profitable gig. Not fair to the people that have to pay for them, and certainly not fair to the children that will never have a chance in the world. And just so the Peasant does not accuse me of more discrimination, it is not just running backs that have a hard time getting a job around here. It also includes offensive linemen.
Eddie , I don’t care where you place yourself .
@knotypine
I consider myself neither, a Socialist nor a Communist. Nor do I consider myself to be a good Christian. I simply attempt to be non-intrusive, kind and just in all of my thoughts and actions where others are involved or affected.
You tell me, what’s my appropriate category?
Peasant , I think the question is , should there be government assistance when there are jobs available somewhere else . Too bad , in my view , if people will not move because of the climate here or any other factor . Get off there dead butt & do something . When I was in my forties I worked two jobs to provide some sort of financial cushion for myself in later life , from the 2nd job I spent 1/3 & invested the other 2/3 . I do not care to share any of it with those that are physically capable of work but will not leave to get it . If there comes civil unrest from cutbacks in welfare for the physically able to work , when they come to loot & burn my place I will take out as many of them as I can before they get me . I do not think I stand alone in that thought . By the way , peasant & Eddie , do you consider yourself a socialist or communist as a point of common reference ?
Dear Peasant,
The small print (in white) on each picture indicates that these may not be pictures of the actual apartments. Regardless, your point is simple and straight: Without these dwellings, many of our underclass would have not have a decent place to live and the owners would not have the income from the government. Are you saying that the apartment owners of these low-rent dwellings are no different than welfare recipients? If so, I would suspect that some form of dwelling would exist for the poorer among us, regardless of the government assistance. Perhaps you recall the “Conway Quarters” of our youth?
Well, now, Mr. Peasant, I certainly don’t think I spew racism. Heck, some of my best friends are black! ( I just couldn’t resist using that line) I think I have read Huck Finn enough to get the gist, and am pretty familiar with Mr. Twain. The statistics I spoke of – all of which were prefaced by “something like” or “seemingly” were mostly derived from overheard conversations in the parking lot at Harveys. Perhaps not scientific enough to include in an official gumment report.
And as to why the kids on the football team do so well (Go Cowboys) and can’t seem to get a job in Madison, I suspect that it is because there is a limited job sector for running backs.
@ Knottypine,
Yup, I left many decades ago myself, back when I was still ambitious. But like many of our fellow citizens I returned to superior life style and climate enjoyed here by many of our citizens. Texas jobs have recently been shown to be vastly overrated when reviewing the information by that governor who is, or was running for president. The North Dakota jobs are working in what many of us Floridians would consider a hostile environment on a project many informed oil industry analysts think will be a soon failed industry. Point is, a hard rational look at the situation by a thinking person would show that living on government assistance is preferable to hard jobs in some far off location.
Besides as Frank has pointed out below government assistance is currently readily available.
WIC and food stamp programs provide the food. Medicaid provides the health care, and Low Income housing is available. To the average hard working individual this seems very unfair. But when you look at the situation a little closer its hard to overlook the fact that these programs are the foundation of a greater part of our overall economy. Where do you think that money for food is spent? I understand some of the fast food outlets in other states are even advertising EBT as a way to eat hamburgers and pizza on food stamps. Don’t know if its happened in Madison yet, but if its legal you can bet some of our better business persons will take advantage of it. Medicaid payments provide a sizable portion of the justification for that hospital we are apparently gonna build. Low income housing is apparently a boom for Apartment owners in our community. Check out this site. http://www.lowincomehousing.us/cty/fl-madison Make sure to read all the fine print which includes the following statement. “The government gives funds directly to this apartment owner.” Mighty fine living accommodations if you believe the pictures. Again read the fine print. Wonder if the Chamber has a study which shows the economic impact of these programs on our economy?
My Voice related discussions with the Mayor over the past several years has attempted to point out that all these programs are being looked at closely for cutbacks. Economic growth is over! How successful we are in making the transition to a lower material oriented life style is the issue under discussion. Many citizens are aware of this fact and concerned that if these programs are cut back significant social disruptions are possible. Folks don’t just stay quite and starve or live and die on the streets. There is a role for all our institutions in these deliberations. Mayor Catron has demonstrated through his engagement on this site the leadership qualities necessary to facilitate our planning for an uncertain future. I personally believe the proper route is to refocus our attention on the domestic economy. Each an every family should be provided a plot of land to grow a garden. A full belly allows one to clearly contemplate other measures required. Many of the older individuals in our community can testify to the benefits of the slower, less consumptive lifestyles in our past.
cheers,
@confused
Yup, I have personally worked with many of these individuals in our community. Some are indeed less reliable and energetic than the hispanic workers who have replaced them in many low paying areas of our local economy. Yet, many are among our best plumbers, roofer, carpenters, brick layers, etc.
Careful, there Knottypine.
Exodus is quickly followed by Deuteronomy.
Mr. Peasant,
I personally have worked with some of the larger agriculture groups in the area as well as a landscaping group before retirement. I can tell you that the field hands and “line level” workers are quite often unreliable out of our market and it changed drastically over the years as I experienced it first hand. I guess your analogy would be that these workers were being exploited so they just said no more. All this happening with ever increasing laws to take care of discrimination, employee rights, etc. I could give you specific examples; however, I am not as you may find out who I am and I do not want that. Apparantly, you do not want that either.
Also, we ain’t prostituting any workers as we can’t even get the Johns to show up with what we have to offer.
Peasant , I offered dad moving our family 1200 miles to get steady work as an example of what people sometimes have to do if they want to work . This occurred in 1969 , dad has passed but the point is still valid today . I understand there are jobs in Texas & I have friends in North Dakota & there are jobs available there . The point is , do the folks on generational welfare want to go & seek work ? My feeling is no .
Frank:
I’m sorry. I was just a little confused.
You see, “demographics” refers to statistics.
I’m not a statistician. I just took a few courses. Never heard the phrase, “Well, I don’t know. Lets just pick a number!”, in any of those classes.
“Demographics”, in your use of the term, is simply a jumbled ball of analogies and made up numbers.
I thought that you were much smarter.
Been watching this post for several days.
@ Former Resident,
Would you please elaborate on the Mayors “liberal views.” They seem fairly moderate to me. Additionally, would you please share with Voice readers the broad outlines of complaints by “HR managers,” and the “real story” about Madison and why they cannot attract business.” I think they all go to the bottom line. Thank you in advance for your reply.
@ Confused
Interesting observations. Would you please provide examples of a “shabby job” performed by local workers and why “local workers are no longer considered.” Could it be that our work force is making rational decision to not work for less than minimum wages? Further, “I don’t think any company is going to locate here because of the workforce.” “It will have to be because of a geat deal (municipalities giving away land) or because of some sort of natural resource available here (Nestle).” Are you suggesting that if we don’t give in to every demand of big business, up to an including our natural resources, we will not be able to get jobs? Are you really suggesting we prostitute our workers and the foundations of our very lives?
@knottypine,
would you please identify available jobs located within 1200 miles of Madison? Many of us are too old to move. We like it here and want to make what we got work for everyone.
@Frank,
My friend, I have only one suggestion for you. Tonight I want you to pull out a copy of Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Hucklyberry Fynn and give it a very careful reading. Yes, racism is alive and well in our community, but is can be addressed in a much more eloquent way. Read chapter 31, over, and over, and over, and over, and …
Additionally, would you please provide the sources for all those statistics you quote. Me thinks they reflect something other than reality. I follow the Cowboys closely. Seems to me we got some fairly talented, hard working, team playing young folks in our county. They seem to perform under a good coach, but fail under our economic system. Care to explain how this happens?
@ Eddie,
I do not know who you are, but believe you have some redeeming qualities. Please continue to question absurd statements from fellow citizens. Atta Boy!
@ Frank,
Shame! Last year the local newspaper was blaming everything on school teachers, law enforcement, and government workers. You have stooped to a new low. Every thing is the fault of the poor and they have not been involved in local decision making ever. I do not know Mayor Catron, but at least he engages in honest dialog with the peasant and others occasionally. You, however, spew racism and other dubious scape goats. look forward to hearing from you.
@ Mayor Catron,
You offered philosophy, but it seems they want modus vivendi.
Yup, it’s happening. Everyone knows something is not right. They can feel it in their bones. What we have here is an age old reaction. Got to find someone to blame. We are all too blame. Got no recommendations beyond what I have offered on many previous occasions. We have got to find a way to get everyone involved. What a ride!
Cheers,
Jim, I always enjoyed our talks, and understand all of your liberal views. Frank is right about the demographics in Madison I know you care about the city, but you and county should meet one on one with HR managers in area, and get the “real story” about Madison and why they cannot attract business.
As Knottypine pointed out, there are not many decent paying jobs with benefits around Madison. The problem is, it ain’t the employers place to try and bring up the workforce especially when they can locate in an area that provides more reliable help. It is quite evident if you look at the large farmers in Hamilton, Gadsden counties for example. They have to get most all of their help from out of the area (and often the Country) and the locals have done such a shabby job when hired that many of the good local folks are no longer considered. I don’t think any company is going to locate here because of the workforce. It will have to be because of a geat deal (municipalities giving away land) or because of some sort of natural resource available here (Nestle).
Eddie , I take what Frank said as meaning generational welfare in this county , be it white or black or anything else . Even during good economic times in the rest of the nation the jobs here are low paying with little or no benefits . the only way to break that cycle is to leave here & get a job elsewhere . When I was in my teens dad moved us 1200 miles to get steady work . This is not that difficult to figure out .
Well, eddie, what do you think the issue is? 40% of the population can not speak intelligible English. And they are not Hispanic. 60% could not tell you who the Secretary of Defense is. 90% of high school kids couldn’t. We are working on our fourth generation of people who subsist almost entirely on food stamps, WIC. SSI and other welfare programs. Your rent depends on your income, and you have no income. You get paid for every new child, from prenatal care to birth to weaning it from crack. And then we get to the really bad off cases. So, yes, eddie, I think the thing holding Madison back is demographics. Despite what I would call an agreeable disagreement, hope you have a good New Year. But back to the point – the Athenians were a bunch of crooked politicians that could probably give lessons to some of our current elected bunch.
Frank:
The “real issue” is “demographics?” Seriously?
As probably the only graduate of the Ephebic College we have in local office, one can only applaud Jim and the lofty goals of the oath. But even 2,000 years ago, it was nothing but politics as usual, with the same smoke and mirrors we deal with today. President Obama could have written the oath, with all that that implies. The big difference between then and now is the size of the taxpayer purse used to further whatever nefarious scheme the powers were plotting. I would guess getting re elected would be the first priority. But kudos to Jim for trying to put a positive outlook on a negative situation. Madison is going down the tubes, but it might help if we quit kicking it – and I don’t know what anyone can do about the demographics – the real issue.