Tax Proposal in Grayson
Tax Proposal in Grayson Save Email Print
Posted: 9:03 PM Oct 12, 2007
 Last Updated: 9:03 PM Oct 12, 2007
 Reporter: Michael Wooten
Email Address: michael.wooten@wsaz.com
153 comments
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"Tax" is never a popular word, but for small towns going broke, getting more money from taxpayers may be the only option.

A proposal in the works in Grayson is literally the talk of the entire town. The vast majority of the folks we talked with Friday are opposed to this new tax in Grayson and they say it's unfair, but when you dig deeper: the mayor argues it's exactly what other towns are already doing.

Grayson, Kentucky is home to just 3,800 people, but there is a big battle in this small town.

Janie Prince works in town, but lives outside city limits and says giving the city her dollars doesn't make sense.

"I don't think it's fair that we have to pay for things that they're going to have for the city. It’s not benefiting us at all," Janie Prince said.

Mayor George Steele says a 1.1 million dollar budget isn't enough to pay for better parks, sidewalk and street repair, and more pay for police and city workers.

"If we don't generate more revenue, we're not going to have a town in Grayson, Kentucky. It’s not going to be a town here in 20 years if we don't do something now," Mayor George Steele said.

Grayson would fall in line with other Kentucky towns that already have payroll taxes to pay the bills. In Ohio, cities levy similar taxes on income for people who live and work inside city limits.

In West Virginia, cities cannot tax the money people make. That's because it's against the law, meaning cities like Huntington and Charleston and smaller towns must rely almost solely on taxing businesses.

Back in Grayson Mayor Steele says without this tax his city will go broke.

"I don't want to sit here in this office for four years and have this city to crumble at our feet, which is what it's doing right now,” Mayor Steele said.

This proposed payroll tax is all but certain. It unanimously passed city council this week and the mayor is a big supporter. It will likely go into effect January 1st.

There is some organized opposition. In fact, a petition is circulating through Grayson right now. The mayor hopes this new tax will bring up to $500,000 into the city.

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Posted by: mary on Dec 3, 2007 at 11:24 PM
did you know that the mayor and hos family was no where to be seen saturday!!!!!
Posted by: Only One Voice on Nov 16, 2007 at 01:09 AM
I would like to say that I am opposed to the taxes.I have seen many comments about raising city property taxes.I would agree to a small raise if it would help the city.I look at small city police officers as a starting job, that would lead to something larger in law enforcements. When accepting employment, I was low on the scale, but knew what was expected of me to be promoted and worked toward that goal.Companies are now cutting "fringe" benefits such as family paid health insurance.What I would like to see is more solutions on these comments.Grants are not the answer as they cannot be depended upon year after year.I would like to see the Mayor and City Council work with Robin Webb and Charlie Wallace to see if there is another solution. What about parking meters?I do not know how much that would generate but it would have to help some.Let us not forget that being on state aide and poor is not a crime.I have been blessed and never had to use these benefits.May I never have to!
Posted by: Meeting Attender on Nov 12, 2007 at 06:21 AM
Dear Anonymous, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my in laws don't own a business, and aren't even in Grayson for that matter. I'm not sure who you're confusing me with, but your accusations are incorrect.
Posted by: confused on Nov 11, 2007 at 11:32 AM
to :meeting attender,sorry you are wrong about restaurant taxes,other cities around us have it,BUT,THEY ALSO HAVE RESTAURANTS!! NOT JUST FAST FOOD.they also have other things we don't have,like jobs,decent pay scales.they didn't get payroll taxes until they had all these other things!everyone is comparing us to these cities.that is not a correct comparison.if you must compare us to a city,then it should be OLIVE HILL,OR SANDY HOOK,THIS WOULD BE MORE REALISTIC!!also,how much of the existing buisness tax is being collected?and for the person taking up for SAM P.-DON'T YOU MEAN WHAT CARTER CO HAS DONE FOR HIM ? AND WHAT DO WE NEED ANOTHER PARK FOR,WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER ONE ?and if being a police officer is such a bad job in grayson,why did the officer that got himself in trouble at the lake come here from ashland?
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 10, 2007 at 01:43 PM
well metting attender keep quite your inlaws own a business may we all need to boycott there business since they are so well to do and can afford this tax , we all know this tax is wrong and they have already made there minds up that this tax will be if this town would quit catering to KCU and give them so many benefits and quit allowing our wonderful cops to use there cars off duty we would save money thats not hard to figure out this town needs to be wet and they would be more jobs for everyone all the people who oppose it go to ashland to but it theres nothing to be ashamed of and half the college kids do also why not sell alcohol in grayson the cops do drugs and i know most of them drink so why not make money and provide jobs @ the same time we have too may cheifs and not enough indians in CARTER COUNTY i feel like everyone on knows on this blog we do not need this tax and the mayor is in there for Travis so please say no
Posted by: KVD03 on Nov 10, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Trich Brammell, When was the last time it snowed here...LOL. You could keep those kids at the FD away from a fire if you flatted all their tires on the truck. WAKE up they get off on it. All that hero crap. Volunteers have gotten off on that siren and red flashing lights for centuries and always will. Don't ever pay the FD, because they will aways be there.. There are plenty of cities local that don't have a payroll taax and their officers make way less than ours do. Free family ins. accounts for about $5.00 an hr. that's pretty good. 99.9% of the employees her and abroad don't get that.
Posted by: Meeting Attender on Nov 9, 2007 at 11:27 PM
Attention Anonymous: I am happily married, and NO, it's not to a police officer!! GET A LIFE!! You don't have to be married to, dating, or related to a cop to have common sense about this tax! GROW UP!!
Posted by: does not have a say on Nov 9, 2007 at 09:20 PM
I have read many comments on here and see everyones concern. You all need to realize that you don't have any say in this. They have already made up OUR minds on what is best for their pockets. Grayson is corrupt and has been for a time. Here is what we can do. Next election, get them out and do it right. Every event in Grayson is about making members money. I went to school with Mr. Fraley, he was a jerk then and will always be. Same goes for Officer Steel. I know that there is alot of other options out there for revenue in Grayson. The sale of alcohol is a big one. Anyone who wants to buy it has to drive to Ashland to get it. The big restraunts won't come to Grayson because of the fact. You can't buy a beer in Grayson but you can buy any drug that you want. I understand that the city police want a raise but where were they when all of breakins were happening. Why are all of the drug dealers still running free. Thank you for listening.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 9, 2007 at 06:23 PM
You know this is getting out of hand!!!! This about a tax no one can afford!!!! Stop being rude!!! Lets all get along!!!!
Posted by: observer on Nov 9, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Just for the record, A restaurant tax is legal and appropriate. The funds would funnel through the tourism into the parks and recreation. The people who presented at the meeting were trying to look for other options, if you notice they were very concerned about the community...workers and their families. By the way OFFICER, teachers don't get all the money that school taxes raise. Text books are about 30 dollars each, plus lights, paper, etc...and folks check your insurance bills, there is a little item called a municipal tax on every insurance bill...whether you live in the city limits or not. Also, before slamming teachers, keep in mind your mayor and his wife were both teachers. You may just find that you have insulted both sides of the issue.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 9, 2007 at 07:38 AM
you go PEGGY HILL the fast food restraunt you are talking about makes $$$$ everyday off the min wage workers that meeting attender refers too, whoever she is all she knows is how to put down peopl, she is rude and ignorant not hard working people who @ least are trying to make it and not put people down I feel this tax is wrong and aimed to help our steroid using cops and the officer as he calls himself who put teachers down should realize they work for there year around pay as he calls it and so does the cooks, janitors, bus drivers and they deserve every dime they get educating and feeding our children was you never taught by a teacher apparently not since you are saying the things you have said this tax should not happen Grayson is taxed to death and the the people who do work min wage cannot afford this over a years time it is more than a weeks salary so i say VOTE NO to Mayors Steeles plan to make his son more money
Posted by: Peggy Hill on Nov 8, 2007 at 09:08 PM
STOP THE BARNEY FIFE TAX (Somebody needs to make some bumper stickers!) Spread the word. Don't spend any money in Grayson this weekend. I challenge you all to do the same. I have told my co-workers, and we've all called all of our families. We can't show our displeasure by our vote...at least we can do this. I will not name any names (ahem) but a certain fast food restaurant will NEVER AGAIN get any of my business. Spread the word, people. Get on the phone, call your friends and family. They are calling themselves the silent majority; let's show them what a silent majority REALLY is, with our pocketbooks. If I can't buy it at Walmart then I ain't buyin' it. Thank you Pearl, shame on you Mr Steele & the rest of the council.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 8, 2007 at 07:15 PM
meeting attender do you date a cop? or just a wanna be!!!!
Posted by: Debbie on Nov 7, 2007 at 10:08 PM
I find it interesting that on this thread and on the other payroll tax thread
Posted by: Meeting Attender on Nov 7, 2007 at 09:59 PM
Dear Confused, Just for the record I live and work in Grayson. And yes, I've been where these people are now. I used to work for pennies until I decided to get a college education and higher pay. I agree on some points that were given by the protesters, but all in all it CAN'T work! And it doesn't take "nerve" to talk at the meeting. It takes "the inability to understand the law" which is what everyone who spoke at that meeting had. No clue as to how a city is run, no understanding that restaurants can't be taxed; and neither can gas and cigarettes. Since they put so much effort into the PowerPoint, you'd think they would have researched their ideas a bit, huh?! Now to answer your question, "Who's the idiot?" You do the math! You didn't know apples from oranges when you accused an officer of "loafing" at the lake! (See your comments below!) However, I'm glad you were corrected by two other posters.
Posted by: teacher on Nov 7, 2007 at 09:49 PM
For the officer that is upset over teachers being paid over the summer, it is called pro-rated pay. We have already worked and earned the pay we receive during the summer. Also, you may not realize this but many of us spend our own money to supple pencil, paper and other teaching material for those who don't have or for those who just don't send them with their children. I do think that cops are underpaid and need a raise, but I would like for there to be other ideas explored before a tax is placed and cannot be reversed. Maybe parking the cars when off duty would help cut some cost. Have you noticed that the power and phone companies are doing this? I hate to see our town and community broken over this and everyone saying hurtful things to people when the main concern is what is best for all the community. It would be nice if the county would try to work with the city instead of against.
Posted by: joe knows on Nov 7, 2007 at 08:29 PM
A payroll tax is hard on people within a city/county where the average income is around $19,000. This is just a fact. For people to resist such a tax under those conditions is understandable. If the city of Grayson was sensitive to this fact they would have seen to a tax exempt for the first $20,000 of the payroll tax. Sounds like to me the good people of Grayson are more concerned with bashing teachers, nurses and the like than being charitable. The people of Carter County can't help it if KCU took most of Grayson's potential tax base (property) and that people refuse to vote the town moist! So theres no decent resturants (tax source) and most people, including those within the city, eat out of town. The city also says it can't annex but still provides services outside the city. Who sounds unintelligent? Shame on some of you for bashing our teachers and nurses that give just as much of themselves to our people and children as anybody. I guess it makes you feel more intelligent ...lol
Posted by: Meeting Attender on Nov 7, 2007 at 07:51 PM
Dear Just Wondering, not that my family tree is any of your business, but NO. You don't have to be a relative to have common sense of the law.
Posted by: Just Wondering on Nov 7, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Hey meeting attender isn"t one of the police officers your brother inlaw?
Posted by: OFFICER on Nov 7, 2007 at 06:23 PM
I AM CONFUSED ON HOW SOME OF THE SMARTEST PEOPLE OF CARTER CO. CAN SOUND SO STUPID. AS WAS TOLD TO US AT THE MEETING, NOTHING PERSONAL. THE TEACHERS OF CARTER CO. HAVE THEIR TAX AND IT MAKE THE PAYROLL TAX LOOK VERY SMALL. THE SCHOOL TAX THAT PAYS THEIR SALARY,RETIREMENT AND VACATION ALL COMES FROM THIS TAX. THIS TAX IS ON EVERYTHING. IF THE TEACHERS ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE PEOPLE, LETS WORK TOGETHER TO LOWER THAT TAX. THEY GET PAID FOR A HALF A YEAR THAT THEY DONT WORK. NOW THATS A JOB, GET PAID WHILE HAVING THE SUMMER OFF. I DONT THINK IT WOULD HURT THE TEACHERS OF THIS CITY TO GIVE JUST A LITTLE BIT BACK. THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND CHILDREN TOO LONG, BECAUSE THATS WHAT THEY SOUNDED LIKE AT THE MEETING. THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR STEELE FOR HAVING THE NERVE TO FACE ALL OF THOSE WHO HAD NO CLUE WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT. ALSO CONGRADULATIONS TO BRANDON, I GUESS THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. I GUESS THAT SEAT EVERONE REFERED TO UP FOR ELECTION, DIDNT WORK THE WAY THEY THOUGHT.
Posted by: CONFUSED on Nov 7, 2007 at 01:09 PM
THIS FOR MEETING ATTENDER-where do you get off calling anyone idiots?do you work in grayson?do you live in grayson? apparently where you went to school didn't teach nerve.at least these people had the nerve to stand and voice their concerns.hoorah for them!!and don't put down someone because of how much they make,who would do these jobs if they didn't?you?i seriously doubt you could!i know you think yourself too good to do it,that's obvious.be big enough to admit that deep down you actually envy these people that had the nerve that you lack!! SO WHO'S THE IDIOT?
Posted by: OFFICER on Nov 6, 2007 at 10:55 PM
THIS IS FOR WSAZ, WHY IS IT THAT SOMEONE FOR THE POLICE. THEY DONT WANT TO POST IT. I BET THEY DONT HAVE THE NERVE TO POST THE LAST COMMENT I MADE ABOUT THE TEACHERS AND THEIR TAX. WHAT IS UP WHAT THAT WSAZ? ARE THERE PERSONAL ISSUES THERE?
Posted by: Meeting Attender on Nov 6, 2007 at 08:20 PM
Dear Anonymous, I'm not a wife or girlfriend of anyone on the police force, nor am I related to anyone on the council. I'm simply a Grayson citizen who is willing to make a sacrifice to better this town! I do not make minimum wage, however I DID for 40 hrs/wk WHILE I put myself through college. Since you are a "representative of the legal system" perhaps you will recall this great quote from JFK: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." It's about time all of you take a look at the big picture. Grayson isn't going to fix itself, we need to fix Grayson! Make it a better place for our kids to live, play and be safe! And I am NOT backing down when I have just as much right to voice my opinion as you do! Oh yeah, congratulations to Brandon Fraley on tonight's victory! Welcome aboard!
Posted by: Chad Brammell on Nov 6, 2007 at 08:10 PM
Congratulations Brandon Fraley on winning your seat on the city council! You deserve to be on there taking up for the city and yourself! You've made us proud! Good Luck!
Posted by: A citizen happy about the tax on Nov 6, 2007 at 08:05 PM
Congratulations to Brandon Fraley, the councilman who sponsored the occupational tax! The official result is that he won the seat on the Grayson City council, even after firmly and openly supporting the city tax! The results weren't even close, he won 354-213...guess not as many people oppose the tax as the posters on this site would have you believe! Congratulations Councilman Fraley!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 6, 2007 at 05:31 PM
For Meeting attender: Let me guess you are either a wife or a girlfriend of someone on the police force or city council!!! Did you know that not everyone works for minimum wage!!! I am a representive of the legal system and went to college so you need to back down!!!! I don't want to pay this tax for one reason: No one in this county does their job...I assume you are one of them!!!!! So before you go judging people on here you better think about what you say and who you are offending!!!!!!!!
Posted by: FYI on Nov 6, 2007 at 01:46 PM
Dear Anonymous, Did you know that since the ENOUGH group was started, at least one of them sits in the courtroom every day and watches which Judges give the drug users a slap on the wrist and which ones actually punish them? The ENOUGH group, TOGETHER with the police are making a difference in this town. Do not blame the police for the drug usage in this town, blame the JUDGES for letting the drug users off the hook. The police arrest the drug users and that's as far as they can go. The JUDGES let them off the rest of the way. And ever since the ENOUGH group has paid their visits to the courtroom, the Judges are doing better. It's sad that someone has to keep an eye on the judges. The police are doing the best they can. It's up to the others (and by that, I mean JUDGES!) to do their part. Don't be so quick next time to blame the police on an issue you know so little about.
Posted by: Meeting Attender on Nov 6, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Attention Tax Protesters: The village called and they want their idiots back! All of you who stood up and protested this made complete fools of yourselves! Thank you COUNCIL for attempting to do the right thing in the midst of all this. Thank you for standing up for what's right and not backing down! Thank you for BEING AN EXAMPLE by going to college to better yourselves so you wouldn't have to work a minimum wage job! And thank you MAYOR STEELE for setting Charles Wallace in his place. That was the highlight of the evening! Good luck in the election today, Brandon! You DESERVE to be on this council! We NEED more people like you in this town!!!!
Posted by: josie on Nov 6, 2007 at 11:53 AM
yeah take another little piece of my paycheck!!! Come on all of ya we the poor are use to taking the blunt of their tax increases!! Don't worry we'll struggle thru this and we don't need your government assistant. And for all of the supporters whom I'll just assume is what we call the "middle-class gendre"...guess what there is no longer a middle class income just the super rich, the rich, and the poor. So I can assume that very little if any fit these guidelines, except for one the poor. So the join the club supporters. This time the laugh is on you too!!! HAHA!!!
Posted by: George McGraw on Nov 6, 2007 at 11:20 AM
I'm work in the city but live towards the lake. Is this tax going to help me in any way shape or form? Will the local yokels come out and help me? I'm seriously doubting it. I would suggest selling everything in the evidence locker, but I think it got raided not too long ago.
Posted by: steadfast on Nov 6, 2007 at 08:15 AM
hey fellow non-resident grayson employees,wonderful meeting wasn't it? we could have been a little stronger.but did you notice what was absent(other than patrick robinson),NOT ONE merchant spoke out against this!!after claiming to be against this to your face!without the merchants voices,we're doomed.and by the way,GEORGE STEELE LIED when he said the tax couldn't go up!it would be as simple as how they're getting the tax in the first place.there is only one chance now,we have to get the merchants attention,spread this around to everyone you can-DO NOT SPEND A PENNY IN THE CITY OF GRAYSON FRIDAY,SATURDAY,SUNDAY!we can do it,bring your lunch,buy your gasoline outside of town.if we don't stick together on this,then get ready to pay the tax!there was over 1200 signatures on the petitions-DON'T GIVE UP YET!! WE MAKE UP OVER 80% OF THE WORK FORCE in grayson.we can do this!
Posted by: Terrance Pigg Jr. (cont) on Nov 6, 2007 at 12:45 AM
If anything I would wish the city of Grayson give this tax to the State Police who do the real policing in the area. How many city policemen are there anyway, six? $20,000 SUV (if not twice that) / 6 = $3333.33. That would have been a great bonus, eh?
Posted by: A citizen happy about the tax on Nov 5, 2007 at 10:19 PM
I was at the meeting tonight,it was an absolute joke. Lots of emotion from people who had no clue what they were talking about. I was actually embarrassed for many of them. About 75% of the people there were teachers, who, ironically, draw their pay and retirement from the good people of this county who pay the school tax WHETHER THEY HAVE KIDS IN SCHOOL OR NOT! I am one of those who does not have kids in the school system, but I still have to pay the taxes that fund the teacher's income. I didn't hear any teachers mentioning that little fact. Also, I know first hand from county teachers that they can tutor kids for "extra" money at the rate of 30$ per hour. So tough. They talk about their concern for the poor when they make their living on tax dollars. But ask them to help foot the bill in the city where they work (and enjoy police/fire protection, drive on the streets, benefit from the city's maintenance, etc) and they cry foul. My auto tax last month: 121$- school tax- 34$
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 5, 2007 at 09:49 PM
i agree with looking into the future as long as we have the city police we have on duty Grayson has no future we need to start over and first of all get rid of the CHEIF and then the rest of the city cops we all know that if the truth was told drugs are rapid in Grayson that is why the ENOUGH group was started and the cops will not do a thing since they are part of the drug problem and a raise will not make them better cops just able them to have more money to buy there needs and i also agree I have to pay for gas to go to work and for my children to go to college so they in noway need a free ride every day i see these cops using there cars for personal reasons hauling there kids, grocery shopping or getting a movie this is wrong so the tax should not be approved due to fact we could save money by parking these vechicles while off duty say no to the tax this is for people who could care less for our community
Posted by: CONFUSED on Nov 5, 2007 at 04:56 PM
THIS FOR LOOKING TO THE FUTURE-your name should have been dreaming of the future if you think the crime rate will drop in this town,for instance,look back a couple of months,do you remember how many burglaries,and or crimes occured in a 6 week period?it was a uncanny amount,something like 60 .ok,think about this,what is the chance,given the amount of officers on duty,at least one of them did not stumble upon one of these?kind of odd don't you think?and for SMALL TOWN USA-from your last comment,dosen't sound like you even have a horse in this race!!
Posted by: not surprised on Nov 4, 2007 at 10:25 PM
I am not surprised about the objections, of you people, to pay a tax that would benefit the people who you expect to come to your rescue at any time. This is history repeating itself. I am sure some of you can remember the objections to a tax, several years ago, that would improve our ambulance service and of course the library tax that the majority objected to and the objections to every dime that is paid for school taxes. We want a free ride, with all of the services, but don't expect us to pay for those services!!! Police officers, don't be discouraged, these same people who are running you down, do the same thing to teachers when things don't go their way and firefighter who don't show up as fast as they want. If they really wanted reliable information about what taxes other cities are paying, they would use their time researching that information instead of writing untrue accusation about the police officers. If you want to live and work in a 1st class city, then pay the bill
Posted by: SMALLTOWN USA on Nov 4, 2007 at 03:57 PM
To the mayor, city council, officers, city workers and the citizens who support the community, I will keep you in my prayers Monday evening during the meeting. I am hoping to be there, but my job and location may keep me from attending.
Posted by: Tinker on Nov 4, 2007 at 09:06 AM
#1 Is this tax not taxation without representation, since most of the people that will be paying it, do not have a vote in the city election? #2 I hear that one big supporter of this tax is the owner of a fast food restauant. What would happen to his businees if we all quit patronizing it? #3 I also hear that the mayor is not running again..just did it this time to better his son. #4 Why can you not get a police report on a burgulary that happened over 5 months ago? #5 With the price of the gas to over $3.00 per gallon, why are these officers allowed to drive these vehicles home and on personal business? I believe they could save quite a bit of money there, if they parked the cruisers at the city building. I have to pay for my gas to go to work... Doesn't most people? Everyone better show up Monday night at the East Carter Middle School at 6:30 pm to protest this tax.
Posted by: Looking to the Future on Nov 4, 2007 at 04:34 AM
First, "Confused", you seem to have chosen a good name for yourself. The officer in question was not "loafing" at the lake! You need to pay close attention to FYI. Second, if more people would worry about where their children are and what they are doing instead of trying to keep up with the whereabouts of police officers on and off duty, maybe the crime rate would drop in this town. The police are not the "villians" here. The criminals are. Let's refocus a little. Third, these officers are first responders in situations involving dead bodies torn in half at wrecks, suicide victims with gunshot wounds to the head, drug overdoses, domestic violence, and maniacs carrying guns, knives, and other weapons. When you have qualified and trained for their jobs and when you have dealt with the situations mentioned above, you will have earned the right to comment on the job performance of the police. Until then, maybe you should stick to discussing topics you know something about!
Posted by: josh on Nov 3, 2007 at 09:59 PM
i live 10 miles outside of grayson but work there...and that tax is a joke...to pay the city cops..hahahahaha..they dont even do there job neverless need to get more money...we called them one time...they didnt even show...called twice...didnt show....yea lets pay them more...that is redicolous
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 3, 2007 at 09:20 PM
everyone needs to get over it our cops are crooked they do drugs they chase women and they lie so yes the cops are corrupt and please do a drug test on all of them if they only make 8$ a hour whos fault is it theres get a diff job and quit complaining we all know cops who have been fired for sexual harrassment which wsaz will not post on this also cops who beat there wifes so please people of carter county get a life and face the facts the cops are no good and this tax is supported by a man who became a mayor to better his sons job
Posted by: FYI on Nov 3, 2007 at 04:36 PM
Dear Confused: They are to carry their weapons on them even when "off duty." Remember that in the future when you need assistance and no one is around but an "off duty" officer. He will come to your rescue even if he isn't on the clock.
Posted by: steadfast on Nov 3, 2007 at 11:13 AM
to all workers who work in grayson and do not live there.there is a rumor that they are talking about lowering the amount of the employee tax.BEWARE!!this is a ploy,if any amount is passed,it will most certainly raise after awhile!!make sure to attend council meeting monday evening!!your voice MUST be heard
Posted by: HAPPY CAMPER on Nov 3, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Everyone on here. THE PAY ROLL TAX IS FOR RETIREMENT NOT FOR INSURANCE OR THE RAISE. THE RAISE IS ALREADY IN AFFECT AND THE INSURANCE IS ALREADY PAID. WHEN THE RETIREMENT MONEY IS PUT BACK EACH MONTH FOR EACH OFFICER THEN WHAT IS LEFT OVER IT IS GOING TO THE COMMUNITY!!!!! HAVE OF THE PEOPLE IN GRAYSON DON"T HAVE RETIREMENT!!!!! SO YOU THINK RETIREMENT IS GOING TO HELP THIS COUNTY NO!!!! HONEST PEOPLE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO EVERYONE ON HER E ISN'T GETTING THE STORY STRAIGHT!!!!! GO TO THE MEETING GET THE FACTS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: CONFUSED on Nov 3, 2007 at 10:54 AM
THIS FOR LOOKING TO THE FUTURE,PERHAPS YOU SHOULD TALK TO THE OFFICER AND GET YOUR FACTS!OR MAYBE SIT IN ON THE TRIAL ,YOUR VERSION IS OFF JUST A HAIR!!!WHY DOES AN OFF DUTY GRAYSON PATROLMAN HAVE HIS GUN ON HIM WHEN HE'S LOAFING AT THE LAKE?AND HOW DO YOU LET A COUPLE OF KIDS TAKE IT FROM YOU?AND HE WAS NOT ASKED TO GIVE ASSISTANCE
Posted by: Looking to the Future on Nov 3, 2007 at 12:56 AM
Confused, I think if you had gotten the straight of the story you are trying to pass on, you would have found out that the officer was off duty and on his way home. That's why he happened to be in that location. AND...as I remember the story, he stopped to offer assistance. I think he was trying to serve and protect (even off duty). These officers are often called on to do so. Perhaps you should get the story straight before you assume the worst. You might also tell the story of the two officers who responded to a call in the west end of the county this summer at approximately 6:00 a.m. because they were the only officers available to answer the call. (One of those officers, I believe, had just gotten off duty, too, but he responded to the call, anyway!) I believe that call involved a man who was inside a house with a gun and his small children! Wonder what would have happened to those children if those two Grayson officers had not responded? Some of you need to grow up!
Posted by: FYI on Nov 2, 2007 at 05:40 PM
Dear Confused, He was off duty. But that doesn't matter when you are an officer 24/7. You are always "on duty", just not getting paid for it!
Posted by: CONFUSED on Nov 2, 2007 at 10:50 AM
i'm a little confused,several people have posted on this comment site that city patrolmen do not go outside the city,what was the officer doing at grayson lake that got his gun taken away from him this summer?the state police and sheriff's office had to go out there to rescue him,not the other way around.
Posted by: SMALLTOWN USA on Nov 2, 2007 at 07:06 AM
TO OFFICER, YOU ARE OUR UNDER PAID OVERWORKED HERO! MAY GOD BE WITH YOU WHILE ON DUTY. SORRY FOR THE CITIZENS OF GRAYSON THAT WOULD RATHER KEEP THEIR PENNIES IN THEIR POCKET THAN TO HELP OUT WITH BUILDING UP THE TOWN. IT'S SAD TO SEE SOME OF THESE PEOPLE BASH YOUR DEPARTMENT BUT THEN EXPECT YOU TO BE AT THEIR DOORSTEP IF YOU NEED THEM. BEFORE ANYONE RESPONDS BACK TO THIS EMAIL, I AM NOT DATING AN OFFICER. I JUST WANTED TO LET THE OFFICER KNOW THAT THEY DO HAVE SOME CARING PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THEM. BE OF GOOD CHEER JOHN 16:33
Posted by: officer on Nov 2, 2007 at 04:35 AM
1ST OF ALL I WOULD BE GLAD TO TAKE A DRUG TEST TO PROVE ALL YOU WRONG. 2ND I HAVE A WIFE AND DONT SKIRT CHASE AS SOME OF YOU PUT IT. 3RD I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE OF YOU WHO SUPPORT THE POLICE OFFICERS, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THEY DONT DO DRUGS. MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO BASH US PROBLY HAVE RECEIVED TICKETS OR WENT TO JAIL. FOR THOSE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY, WHO DO YOU THINK TAKES THE CALLS WHEN THERE IS NO K.S.P OR S.O. OUT? EVEN IF YOU DONT SUPPORT US WE WILL STILL PROTECT YOU. WE WILL BE THE BETTER PERSON IN DOING SO. IF THOSE OF YOU GETTING BASHED FOR US IM SORRY AND ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT....
Posted by: Marie on Nov 1, 2007 at 08:42 PM
Patty i have never handed anything down to me either. Yes I put my self through school I have kids and just recently bought a house. I know how it is to struggle I have all my life. I work as hard as you and everyone else. You need to look at the BIG PICTURE.
Posted by: Patty on Nov 1, 2007 at 09:11 AM
Boy oh boy, you can't be a good citizen anymore without being accused of being an insider. And no I'm not "making fun of poor people" as you put it. All I'm saying is this: The majority of people complaing about this tax don't live in the city. However, they can shell out money for everything else. I've had my share of hard times. Trust me. But I've never received government assistance. I worked 40 hrs/wk WHILE I put myself through college. I was taught that "having things handed to you is a lazy man's way." I've worked hard for EVERYTHING I have. And no, I'm not "dating a cop," I wish you all would get a life. And also for the record, no my parents don't get social security or medicaid, they WORK, TOO!!!! If you all want the police to leave and stop "corrupting the city" then I suggest you do the same. You're nothing but an embarrassment to this town. And by the way, "Looking to the Future" should run for city council. I like your style!! It's about time someone has your courage!
Posted by: Peggy Hill on Nov 1, 2007 at 07:30 AM
Listen, you're not really understanding my point. I'm not anti-police & I'm not afraid to work in Grayson. I like Grayson. It's just that I think the tax is unfair and the Mayor (and most of the council) is asking for the wrong people to foot the bill. Also, I see nobody has answered my question about how $1 is going to miraculously make the GPD start doing their job. Let me put it this way: Remember a few years ago when the utility tax was going to solve all our education problems? Remember the lottery? If you're a property owner, look at how much of a piece of the pie that the school tax takes from the total property tax you're paying. Also, look at your school tax on your cars. Now...think about this. My children cannot bring some of their books home because the school doesn't have enough to go around. Yet again and again we're told (as the taxes pile up) that "this will be the answer". Throwing money at a problem solves nothing. Shame on the mayor & the council!!
Posted by: Looking to the Future on Oct 31, 2007 at 10:53 PM
Peggy, you state that you don't live in the city. You mention the drug problem in Carter County. You have a terrible opinion of the police. I believe if I had your same ideas (which I don't)I would be afraid to work in Grayson. Why, might I ask, do you come to Grayson to work? Why not go somewhere else where you can be safe??? You don't live in Grayson, and sure don't owe it to the town to work here. I'm sure there are plenty of people who are looking for jobs in this town who wouldn't complain about a payroll tax. (Things must not be so bad here as you say or you would drive to one of the surrounding communities to work.) By the way, make sure you plan on paying a payroll tax there, too, in addition to the extra gas it will take to get there.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 31, 2007 at 10:03 PM
to Patty you need to quit downing the poor people of carter county i am one of the fortunate one whose husband has a good job and so do i and have two children attending college and i feel you saying you are paying for peoples children to go to school in a previous comment you made is wrong these children are the future apparently you are bitter over something did a cop dump you or stop flirting with you, but you need to quit commenting on people receiving checks does your parents or did they ever receive social security or medicaid and one day you will also need this and what if you or yours had a job to close you may need what you are calling welfare I know if i ever needed it i would sure be there to get this help since i have paid into this for years as a working citizen i beleive this tax is unfair with gas being over 3.00$ per gallon and milk almost 4.00$ per gallon and things just keep rasing so please until you walk in these people shoes keep your mouth shut say no to this tax
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 31, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Patty According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary: "Cheapskate (noun)- a miserly or stingy person; especially one who tries to avoid paying fair share of costs or expenses." I suggest you invest in a Webster's - if you can afford it. I can afford but still apparently you make enough money to pay the tax!!!! You know you have wrote on here and dogged people for being poor and talked about welfare crazy checks etc...... seems to me you need to look at this a little different and see that not all people have money. You should be ashamed of yourself for making fun of the poor. And no i work fir a living and so does my husband and i don't draw anything....
Posted by: Peggy Hill on Oct 31, 2007 at 09:54 AM
Thank you, Looking to the Future, for (inadvertantly, I'm sure) making a most important point for me. This is a direct quote: "Most of the people writing here are neither residents of the city nor do they represent the beliefs of the citizenry." EXACTLY. I am NOT a resident of the city. Did you not read my post? Perhaps I do NOT represent the beliefs of the citizenry. FINE. Let the CITIZENRY pay for the CITIZENRY'S POLICE PROTECTION (such that it is). What is so hard to understand, here? As a sidenote, how in the world will throwing an extra dollar an hour make the police do their jobs more effectively anyway? We'll still have the same old cops, doing the same old thing. I realize we have a huge drug problem in this county...do you REALLY think that by giving somebody an extra $1/hour is going to do anything? And, if so, please by all means...clue us in.
Posted by: tinker on Oct 31, 2007 at 08:01 AM
Bravo for Pearl Crum!!!! Sounds like she is the only one that has any sense!!! Just wait until the meeting on Nov. 5...Did anyone ever think that the mayor is just making things better for his son? I think he has already said he is a "one-termer". If his son doesn't like the money he makes let him find another job like my children and others did...sometimes, you have to WORK, not jsut drive around, to make your way...like work out of town all week to find a good paying job. There are too many people that don't have insurance or retirement that are expected to pay this tax...this is so unfair!!! And one other thing...why do the city employees get their insurance paid for them and their FAMILIES? every where I ever worked I had to pay for my family plan...
Posted by: Patty on Oct 31, 2007 at 06:53 AM
According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary: "Cheapskate (noun)- a miserly or stingy person; especially one who tries to avoid paying fair share of costs or expenses." I suggest you invest in a Webster's - if you can afford it.
Posted by: Looking to the Future on Oct 30, 2007 at 11:21 PM
Condolences to the members of the Grayson City Council who have been attacked for trying to ensure the future of this town. I regret that the pressure has caused Ms. Crum so much agony that she has withdrawn her vote. I applaud the other council members who have the courage to withstand the pressure and do what is right for the city. Hats off to the Grayson police, a very well-trained, professional group of individuals who are able to ignore rude, untruthful remarks made on this forum and go on with the business at hand. Many of the people who write here are obvioulsy ill-informed individuals who show no evidence they have high regard for the truth. The mayor and council are not bad people; the police are not on drugs. Most of the people writing here are neither residents of the city nor do they represent the beliefs of the citizenry. Obviously none of us like to pay taxes; however, our country, state, county, schools, and, YES, our city cannot survive without them.
Posted by: Peggy Hill on Oct 30, 2007 at 07:09 PM
I just want to say a huge "THANK YOU!!!" to Pearl Crum for rescinding her vote for this unfair tax. And yes, it's unfair. I do not live in the city limits, the Grayson police will not protect me and my home, I can't vote in a city election to show my displeasure. I do, however, work in the city. I urge, beg, and plead for every City of Grayson resident to vote against any current council member who backs this most unfair tax. Also, I would just like to say that if each and every police officer is being subjected to a RANDOM drug test then the mayor wouldn't have to worry about the salaries of several on this force. And come on, people, you KNOW who I'm talking about...come on. And I GUARANTEE the only children of Grayson that will see any benefit from this will be the children of the policemen. Shame on certain members of the current council for trying to play the "poor little children of Grayson" card. Let's just see how much is spent on youth recreation. Give me a break.
Posted by: Marie on Oct 29, 2007 at 10:01 PM
Patty apparently you must make 100,000.00 dollars a year. So you can afford this tax I guess. I can't and neither can half of Grayson. They want us off welfare and other state aide well we can't if we keep getting taxed. Patty just think about it. Why tax the poor. Half of Grayson don't have insurance or retirement. Apparently you do!!!!! If you have any Ideas give it to them at the meeting. I am sure they are up too it. Some of the city counsel has with drew their vote. What does that tell you!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 29, 2007 at 04:31 PM
to patty and anyone else who supports this tax we in carter county are going to be taxed to death they are repraising our property and you know that tax will go up so we all need to say no and Patty you have to be a family member or dating one of the cops to support this if these so called law only got paid 8$ bucks a hour they could not afford there steroids now could they and for anyone denying this take a look at them and as far as we care they can go somewhere else and corrupt there county
Posted by: Patty on Oct 29, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Here's a newsflash, Marie: The meeting is November 5th. Looks like you've obviously been paying attention... And I WILL be there. Supporting this tax!
Posted by: Marie on Oct 28, 2007 at 03:39 PM
Patty i have family on the police force too as well. But this town cannot afford any more money taken out of our checks. We as a community can barley make it. If your not a lawyer a Judge or a Paralegal or own a buisness then you have no money. Alot of people have moved out of here because of the money and not able to live here. I have no solution to this problem but taxing more money out of peoples checks is going to cause a lot of people not able to pay bills. If you make 250.00 dollars every two weeks gross pay then that is 4.38 every two weeks and 8.76 a month and 227.76 a year that is a two week pay for most people. People cannot afford this. We need to work together on this instead of fighting that is not going to solve the problem. Go to the meeting on Nov 12@ 6:30 at the East Carter Jr High and speak your mind. I am sure it will be packed and there will be alot of people for and against this. If you have any Ideas then go for it. I am up for anything new.
Posted by: Amazed on Oct 28, 2007 at 03:38 AM
I'm amazed at the amount of idiocy some of you have. This town is so backwards it's pathetic. How many of you would risk taking a bullett for 8 bucks an hour? How many of you would kiss your wife and kids goodbye each morning, step out of the house and put your life on the line for 300 bucks a week? Truth be told NONE of you would. I know I wouldnt. What did the last Mayor do? She cut the police force, cut their overtime, and in turn this town turned is crawling with crime. Now we have a new mayor who has hired more officers, trying to get their salaries increased so they will actually stay instead of leaving for Boyd or other counties with better pay and once again the fools speak up and say "its because of his son" Im not a full blown supporter of Mayor Steele but atleast the man is making an effort unlike our last Mayor who could only be seen at ribbon cutting ceremonies for a new beauty salon! No one wants to be taxed but in this case I'll take one for the team.
Posted by: King James VERSION on Oct 27, 2007 at 09:58 PM
Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.Amen
Posted by: Lady Luck on Oct 27, 2007 at 09:58 AM
I would like to say that some people are misinformed by the payroll tax. To the Board of Education employee who does not work in the city limits, YOU will not pay this tax. A person MUST work inside the city limits in order to pay this tax. Just because your employer is inside the city limits does NOT matter. I hate to see people get upset because they have been misinformed.
Posted by: Patty on Oct 26, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Dear Marie- I'm not saying you are drawing a crazy check or collecting welfare. All I'm saying is this: If everyone in the city pays a school tax - regardless of whether they have a child in the school system or not, then why can't others pay a tax to help pave roads, build sidewalks, etc. I'm not accusing you of anything! I'm merely pointing out that all these people say they can't afford tax, yet they can afford everything else! And I am TAKING UP FOR the police, which not many other people seem to be doing on here. And if someone were putting your friends down, I'd hope you'd fight for them like I've done. But since you seem to know it all, tell us your great ideas on how to help the city! We'd all love to hear it!
Posted by: Marie on Oct 26, 2007 at 10:31 AM
This is for Patty. We all need to get along here and stop fighting over who draws welfare who has a crazy check each month. That is not the issue at all. We all are on here saying bad things towrds on another and we are getting no where. We need to figure a way out of this tax and find other means of getting money. We have heard on here how everyone has kids and that some are putting their kids through school. The point being it is not about welfare or the poor or the rich. The majority of the people in this county make minimum wage or a little more. We can't afford all this money being taken out. No i don't draw welfare and no crazy check. I work just like everyone else on here and we need to find other ways to ge the money. LETS WORK TOGETHER ON THIS. Not against each other.
Posted by: Wow on Oct 26, 2007 at 10:04 AM
First off, i don't live in your town or know much about it. If the police truly make what most people on this board are saying, then my suggestion is those cops should look to other towns. You can make much more money in other towns not far from where you currently work. As for the mayor, i say good luck. If the people on this board is the type of people you must represent, then you have your work cut out for you. My advice for the town, pay your taxes. Everyone pays taxes and pays them for things they might not be involved with (i.e. school). It's never easy to give up more of your hard earned money, but remember, not every cop or politican is crooked. Be thankful to those cops or politicians you have that truly want to better your town and the people who live there.
Posted by: Me on Oct 25, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Do you really think the mayor took office only for his son...give me a break. The mayor took office because he was voted in. Voted in by the people. I will agree, if the officers only make $8 per hour then they can't afford steroids. Quit generalizing them all - they aren't perverts, they aren't all drug users. Do you have to take mandatory drug test for your job? Are you constantly questioned about your personal life - publically called out on it? I would think about whether you would want to be judged on what you do outside of work by the rest of the community or not?! I think you would not.
Posted by: Patty on Oct 25, 2007 at 07:28 AM
Dear Anonymous: No I'm not a girlfriend, just a citizen who understands the law - unlike yourself. If you think it's such an easy job, then sign up! Or are you too busy drawing your Crazy Check and collecting welfare? If I have to pay school tax so your kids can have an eduacation, then I don't see why you can't cough up a payroll tax to help pave the road you drive on! You are a pathetic person who wants everything given to them. These guys are watching over the city so you can sleep, and all you do is bash them. They are understaffed, overworked and underpaid. By all means if you think you can do better, then SIGN UP!! But when the city can't afford a bullet-proof vest for you because they don't have the funds, don't complain! And when you miss your kids opening presents on Christmas morning because you have to protect a city that trashes you, don't gripe! And when your loved ones are on their death bed and you can't say goodbye because you're on duty, don't complain! Be a big boy!
Posted by: an aggrivated nonresident of your town on Oct 24, 2007 at 05:49 PM
I am going to be taxed by your pathetic town because the board office is located within the city limits of Grayson. I WORK AND LIVE in OLIVE HIll, yet I have to give up some income. How pathetic is that. How pathetic is your town. I have to help pay for your issues!!!
Posted by: this for nate on Oct 24, 2007 at 12:59 PM
apparently you don't know much? do you have a 100,00.00 dollar a year job so you can afford to pay this tax. no one in this county that works here does!!! we need to work together not bash each other!!!1
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 24, 2007 at 11:05 AM
hey patty are you a girlfriend or one of there tatle tales no we should not allow these men and women to use there vechiles while off duty we supply the gas, tires, maintenace, and ins, who would not like a FREE RIDE and they need to demand drug testing everyone knows the steroid use is going on you don't go from a lil pipsquik to a muscle man in 6 months unless steroids are invloved so girl open your eyes and wake up to these skirt chasing purverts you need to remember just how many has been dismissed for sexual harrassment if our fromer cheif had not been framed Carter County would be a better place to live we all know he was set up so we all need to agree with this tax and allow a pay raise so there habits can be extended if they think they do not make enough go to work somewhere else we need to bring cops from out of town who know noone and maybe they will not be corrupt like what we have now OPEN YOUR EYES GRAYSON THE MAYOR IS IN HERE FOR HIS SON ONLY GET A LIFE
Posted by: Lady Luck on Oct 23, 2007 at 07:34 PM
I see there is alot of confusion about this. I would like to correct some of the issues stated earlier. 1.There are no grant monies available for retirement & health ins. 2. The City office staff did not increase after Mrs. LeMaster retired. 3.The city stickers will be done away with if the tax passes. 4.NO ONE is exempt from this tax. I too will have to pay this tax, but not as much as my husband pays. He pays a county and 2 different city taxes with his job. I welcome any improvement for my children and their future. Having recreational activities will keep our youth out of trouble. Better streets to drive on and improved sidewalks for pedestrians. This tax will not change my patriotism to my local businesses. I pray an agreement can be met by all.
Posted by: Patty on Oct 23, 2007 at 01:24 PM
First of all, I know for a fact that the police officers have offered to do drug testing on their own free will. If they had something to hide, would they have done that?! It's not like they can afford steroids on their salary anyway. Second of all, for those of you bashing them, you should be ashamed. Their kids can get on here and see the untrue things you've said about them. What if they were to say untrue things about you to your kids?! You make me sick! Third of all, I think they should be allowed to drive the cruisers off-duty. If they do, it appears more of them are on duty and maybe people wouldn't be so quick to break the law. (It works that way in larger cities!) And fourth, I know from experience that if deductions are taken from your check before you get it, you don't miss it! My employer does that with my PAYROLL TAX (since I work in Boyd Co.), my insurance, AND my charitable donations. For those of you who are "taxed to death", answer why I pay school tax for your kids?!
Posted by: Justwondering on Oct 23, 2007 at 12:08 PM
I wonder what the actual per hour wage for the average City employee is when benefits are added to the equation? From what I understand,(this info may not be totally correct) the City provides comprehensive family health insurance, life insurance, long and short term disability insurance all free of charge. Vacation,holiday,sick and personal leave benefits add to the package. I understand the City provides a 401k RETIREMENT plan(or something like it) and matches a percentage of the contributions, maybe 3or4%. How about uniforms and work clothes and their cleanings, I'd bet the city takes care of all but the clerks. What kind of price tag do the all free of charge benefits add to an 8$/hr wage? For what it's worth, I'm in favor of the tax. just not the projected amount, cut it to 1% and live within the budget. Justwondering
Posted by: Josie on Oct 23, 2007 at 07:11 AM
After reading CPA's and Grayson's comments I agree with them both. Maybe all concerned and who is going to be affected by this tax should form a committee to try and come up with better solutions. Bashing each other and the Grayson police officers are getting us nowhere. There has to be a better way of resolving the tax issue, and standing together we may find it. Anyone interested??
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 22, 2007 at 10:58 PM
i agree with the people on here who feel the tax is wrong this county cannot afford to have the poor people pay a tax things are expensive enough as they are i agree the police need to use there cruisers for work purposes only we should not have to pay for personal use also i feel the drug testing is a great ideal if they are not using any drugs they have no worries now do they ,what happened to the car inbound money whats it getting used for , i have never heard of any use so far the people of Carter County need to stand up and demand drug test , and no personal use on crusiers or equip
Posted by: nate on Oct 22, 2007 at 10:02 PM
For those of you who think you know so much, yes Grayson does have 2 explorers, but the one the chief drives, the only officer who has worked here for 20 years is driving the oldest vehicle on the force. If you call a 1999 exployer with ab out 100,000 on it new maybe you better take a better look. In my opinion the Chief should have had the new Exployer but he was not consulted about who would recieve it. I as a citizen of Grayson wonders why that is. As for who will pay this new tax all police officers will just like anyone else who works in the city. If it generates enough money to build a nice city park for our kids, should only kids and adults who live in the city use this park, I don't think so! A lot of county people use the little city park now, such as it is, and I have never been ask to leave because I don't live in the city. For those of you who have your remarks about city officers, who don't deserve a raise maybe you should walk a mile in their shoes or don't call them!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 22, 2007 at 09:31 PM
to me !! what i am saying is the truth the tax is for the purpose of the mayors son and his buddies to get a raise to continue there steroid use, you know this and so does everyone else in Carter County and I also feel that the city police should not use the police cars for personal use they do all the time so therefore we supply the gas, the insurance, and the maintenace on these vehicles who would not like to drive a car for free we all would and the cpa said it right we as adults do not bash someone because they cannot spell correctly or speak proper this tax is to benefit the mayors son and buddies and we all know this if the cops was worth it , this would be different I think if this tax passes we need to demand drug test on all law enforcement in Carter County and all officals we would not want anyone discriminated against now whould we what would they have to lose if they are clean
Posted by: CPA on Oct 22, 2007 at 01:11 PM
For those of you that say this is a tax deduction for long form filers are correct, but it is not a dollar for dollar deduction, it's a very small percent of a benefit. The city wants to charge you and I 1.75% of our salary, but the business owners only pay 0.025% tax on their income. I would guess that 90% of the workers in this community doesn't have benefits or a retirement plan so I can understand why they don't want to pay for someone else to have it either. It's funny how quick someone is to judge or make fun of a person just because their language skills are not perfect. We need to quit attacking each other and think of another option to solve this problem.
Posted by: there are several people posting as"me" on here on Oct 22, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Ok anonymous - you are seriously telling me to not make fun of people but yet you are slandering people saying that they do steriods...who is childish?
Posted by: Grayson on Oct 21, 2007 at 07:51 PM
I just wanted to say that i also work and make 6.85 an hour and my husband has a pretty good job. We have insurance as well. But you know I pay into that and so does my husband and if one day i need it then i will not be ashamed to get it. You know we need to worry about the money for the taxes instead if bashing each other. We need help in this community and bashing each other and saying bad things isn't going to help. We need to come together and get this taken care of.
Posted by: Josie on Oct 21, 2007 at 11:31 AM
THIS IS FOR THE PERSON WHO POSTS AS "me":Yes I make $6.25/hr. and no I don't receive any government aide whatsoever. My family has insurance coverage. They take almost $50.00 a week out of my husband's paycheck. Also, I'd rather have the taxes that are held out of our paychecks to go to people who really need public assistance. And just because people need assistance dosen't make them sorry. I think your comments are arrogant and rude. I'm glad your husband has a good paying job, and you think your lucky stars that he does. I know I would like to continue may education and one day I might have the opportunity. But for now we are helping our daughter who is in her 3rd year of college,and that happens to be more important to us than anything at this time. Yes, I work for $6.25/hr and we have goals to reach, but we'll take them one at a time. So if thats makes me and the rest of us sorry than so be it. Your entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong it may be. I feel sorry for you.
Posted by: Voter on Oct 20, 2007 at 08:56 PM
I just want to say this, I do not mind to pay "A" tax, however, I am not agreeing with paying for a city sticker to park in town, then property taxes because I live in town, and now this. EXCUSE ME! Can I please keep just a little bit of my check to purchase silly things, like a $4 gallon of milk, or pay my electric bill. Choose a tax, ONE! I am paying out enough! We are all going to end up quitting our jobs and landing on welfare. Another thing, although I do not agree with "everything", I see no reason to bash Mr. Steele. HE WAS VOTED INTO OFFICE!
Posted by: Shari on Oct 20, 2007 at 12:45 PM
GET A CLUE!!! To those who think just because a person makes minimum wages receives government aide...guess what you are wrong. I work for minimum wage and I don't receive any aide from the government. My family is covered by BC/BS and we pay cash for our groceries. So don't think just because a person has a low paying they are also receiving assistance from the government. If I can make it on a budget, so can the police officers and the city workers. So don't give attitude to those who do work minimum wage jobs. More than likely they are the ones who are serving you the food you eat at a resturant or waiting on you when you stop in at a conveinent store. So if the city employees need our money to improve their lifestyle well let them have it. And we can sleep better at night knowing that we will be safer since apparently a raise and benefits will enhance their job performance. We should be seeing a drop in Grayson's crime rate also due to the raise and benefits. WE'LL SEE!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 20, 2007 at 09:12 AM
whoever this me character is you need to grow up and quit making fun of people that is something children do you are the one stupid so what if Debbie works a min. wage job @ least she is working and has for this tax it's for the police so they can get raises and buy there steroids and if any of the Brammells say different they need to take a long look in the mirror I hope that Carter County takes a example from Johnson County and drug test all officals we sure need it
Posted by: me on Oct 19, 2007 at 09:12 PM
I have insurance and my husband has a good job. Makes alot more than most people on here. Yes if i needed a card i would go get one because when you have kids that is what you do. But let me tell you I work just like your sorry butt and pay into it. So if i wanted to get a card i would. Who are you to tell me what to do. I work just like everyone else in this county. Get a life and grow up.
Posted by: ROGER DICKERSON on Oct 19, 2007 at 04:55 PM
I'M NOT GOING TO BASH ANY POLICE OFFICERS,OR CITY EMPLOYEES.I HAVE FRIENDS IN BOTH DEPARTMENTS.BUT I AM AGAINST THIS TAX.I JUST DON'T THINK THIS IS THE ANSWER.THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WORKING IN GRAYSON SIMPLY CAN NOT AFFORD IT.I'M INTERESTED IN KNOWING HOW MANY PEOPLE LEAVING COMMENTS IN FAVOR OF THIS TAX ACTUALLY WORK AND DRAW WAGES IN GRAYSON.AND,PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF I HAVE MISSPELLED ANYTHING.
Posted by: me on Oct 19, 2007 at 12:56 PM
debbie after reading your comment I can see why you only make minimum wage - or like you spelled it mimam wage. By the way increase is one word, not two. Get yourself educated before you post a comment on something that you probably can't even comprehend.
Posted by: me on Oct 19, 2007 at 09:37 AM
Every other city has a payroll tax, its part of living in America. I'm sorry to hear that some of you work for $6.25 per hour jobs, but if you want more for your life then you have to get out there and make it happen. You don't hear all of us complaining about all the public assistance that you use. You don't have insurance, but I'm sure you have a card - paid for by me. 1.75% is a very small tax. From what I know about Grayson, there aren't too many skirts to chase. I feel sorry for those of you who judge the officers without knowing the facts. How would you feel if you were generalized by what your co-workers did or rather the rumors that others spread. Get educated, get real and wake up. We live in a great Country and in a great State. 1.75% is a small price to pay. Leave the police department alone - if you think you can do a better job sign up!
Posted by: Worker on Oct 19, 2007 at 09:06 AM
Has anyone noticed that no one care for these police officers. This town is so sad.
Posted by: Citizen on Oct 19, 2007 at 09:05 AM
to anonymous if they can get grants for vehicles then why can't Grayson get money to take care of the insurance and the retirement. They say they can't get money but they can grants. Apparently they can do more than they are telling.
Posted by: Grayson Ky on Oct 19, 2007 at 09:02 AM
The only reason the Brammells are on here is because they have family that is on the police force.
Posted by: me on Oct 18, 2007 at 10:15 PM
This is to the lady who's husband is a police officer!!!! You would defend them wouldn't you. I heard that they all ask for the buisness owners to back them for a raise and half the buisness owners didn't show up. Who would want to give them money. THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING BUT CHASE GIRLS IN SKIRTS!!!!!!! They all have had girlfriends . The crime in grayson is bad and the police are never around. There are cross walks all over Grayson and they don't even stop for the People to cross. They fly up and down main street like they own the place and half the time they are parked talking to women. So no they don't need a raise. Half of Grayson don't have insurnace or retirement but we are suppose to pay for them to have it. No way. Maybe the police chief can cut his wages and pay for the insurnace and retirement not the citizens of grayson.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 18, 2007 at 08:46 PM
TO citizen of grayson: well i can tell you have no clue...they have 1 NEW explorer the other one is old. And they got a Grant to get it and they just got another GRANT to buy 2 more!! So before you open your mouth and look stupid you might want to get the facts first!
Posted by: Linda Owens on Oct 18, 2007 at 07:38 PM
I live in Olive Hill but I work in Grayson. I don't make a whole lot of money. I have two sons and the drive alone back and forth every week takes a big chunk of my check. But you know, if I can keep paying for my cigs that keep going up and pay for the luxury tax that Morehead places on all their resturants when we eat out, and if no other solution can be found except this tax, then I can most definitely fork out the money for the city workers, especially for the police dept. I would feel the same way if Olive Hill would do the same thing. Because no matter what when it comes down to it....they are putting their life on the line every time they put their badge on and go out on the job. I really don't know how they do it. If if were my son or daughter I just don't think $8.00 hr is a large enough price tag to put on their life.
Posted by: Kara Brammell-Fuller on Oct 18, 2007 at 02:13 PM
I would like to say that I am proud to see that Grayson has a Mayor and a Council that is stepping up to make a difference for the community. As far as the police department, I support each one of you because it takes dedicated people to do your job especially when the wages are low and no retirement at hand. Keep your heads high through all of this negativity, and continue doing the great job that you do. GOD BLESS EACH ONE OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
Posted by: CURIOUS on Oct 18, 2007 at 12:47 PM
THIS FOR THE PERSON WHO ASKS THE QUESTION "WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL" ON 350.00 ANNUAL TAX ON THE PERSON MAKING 20,000 PER YEAR.YOU MUST NOT BE TRYING TO LIVE ON 20,000 PER YEAR,ANYONE MAKING 20,000 PER YEAR CAN'T SAY "ONLY" 350.00!SO,HOW CAN YOU SPEAK FOR SOMEONE WHO DOES HAVE TO LIVE ON THIS KIND OF MONEY?
Posted by: Trish Brammell on Oct 18, 2007 at 10:35 AM
First of all, I challenge everyone who has posted under "Anonymous" to have enough backbone to write their name. If you're going to speak your mind, then don't be afraid. Second of all, this tax isn't just for police officers to get a pay raise, it's for all city workers! As a matter of fact, only two cities between Catlettsburg and Lexington don't have this tax. And that's Grayson and Olive Hill! So before you complain about paying extra, think about what would happen in the future if your workplace were to catch fire. I sure hope the fire dept can get there with all the snow on the road. Why complain? Don't you drive on city roads to get to work? Or stop at gas stations in town to buy your lottery tickets and cigarettes?! If you have the decency to gripe, then I suggest you move to the city and run for city council. But you choose to hide and view your opinions by using bad grammar and misspelling words. Seems to me you could've benefited from the library you voted against!
Posted by: Shelley Brammell on Oct 17, 2007 at 08:57 PM
#1 I am not going to post this as anonymous, like most people on here. My husband is a Grayson Police Officer. To Upset Worker, there is law in Grayson, the police do their jobs, if justice isn't being served after it goes to the courts it is NOT their fault! Do you all really think you are the only ones being taxed? My husbands paycheck is also being taxed. Why do you think there is such a turnover of policemen in Grayson? Most won't stay with such low wages and no retirement. Whether you want to believe it or not, they put their lives on the line everyday for EVERYONE. Even for those of you who continually put them down. My husband has worked a 12 hour shift; clocked out at 6:00am and had to be right back at court at 9:00am and stay there all day, they are dedicated to their jobs. They actually care for every citizen in Grayson and are trying to clean up the drug problem. Feel free to complain but just know that when you dial 911 my husband will still be there for you. He cares.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 17, 2007 at 06:55 PM
The tax seems only a meager way to bring in revenue for the city. We love in the city and my husband works in the city. We pay county property tax and city property tax, and honestly are taxed to death. The extra money the city needs could be derived from other sources, instead of taxing those of us who barely get by. The city has even considered annexing Damron Mayo into the city limits, why go that far out. The true resolution to this problem is to annex the area of old us 60 down Midland Trail into the city limits. This would be the answer to everyones problem. The money from the taxes there would be great enough to overcome the cities problems. But that comes back to problem that the people who are well off stay well off, and don't have to throw in there money. The people in Grayson who try to work for a living don't have the responsibility to pay for increases and benefits when we can't even afford health insurance for our families. Other means needs to be found.
Posted by: to mimi on Oct 17, 2007 at 05:30 PM
hey mimi(what a name).. do you not use the amenities in grayson? do you take a backroad to work or play? no you dont. this town hasnt changed in 20 years besides the fact that EVERY surrounding city except grayson and olive thrill have a payroll tax.MOVE AWAY! GO PAY 3% IN MOREHEAD OR 2% IN ASHLAND! WE DONT CARE!!!!! you need to do your homework. LEARN HOW TO WORK KID!!!
Posted by: furious on Oct 17, 2007 at 09:21 AM
If the pizza dancers make more then the city police officers, why don't they go dance for the same pizza company?
Posted by: Mark on Oct 17, 2007 at 09:07 AM
I think the Mayor and Council need to be quite clear about where the money will be spent. I've heard different opinions from those leaders. Let them make the case before deciding whether or not to do this. If it's a tax for state retirement, then be clear about that. If it's a tax for full-time firefighters, please be clear about that. If the Park is involved, specify the amount and for what expenses taxpayer money will be used. Let there be no question what we're looking at before this is passed.
Posted by: mimi on Oct 16, 2007 at 07:22 PM
i don't think selling liquor would solve any problems, but i think there can be a way for the city to solve this without having to tax the city workers. for a citizen in the know most of the people leaving comments probably didn't vote for the mayor because WE DON'T LIVE IN CITY LIMITS get a clue
Posted by: Upset worker on Oct 16, 2007 at 10:16 AM
This tax is totally unfair and not right. We are taxed to death already. If the police force would actually do their job, i would be all for it, even though i live out of city limits. I know from personal experience that Grayson Law enforcement is a far cry from where it should be, and it's not because of their salary either. It's because the law has no backbone here. For example, when someone gets robbed and u and the cops actually catch the burgular in the act, and the cops won't even go after them, and won't even as much investigate the roberry, or go to the thief's house (because they know this guy and where he lives, and must be afraid of him) there is something bad wrong with that!! It is PITIFUL!! We have no law in Grayson!!
Posted by: citizen of grayson on Oct 15, 2007 at 08:29 PM
I like to know where the explorers came from myself... Package deal!!!!!! They both are new. Chief is driving one and deputy?
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 15, 2007 at 07:23 PM
If the Mayor is so concerned about bringing in money for our town then he needs to do better then trying to tax the poor even more. If the people in this town would vote this town wet we would have more tax money. there are people in this town that like to go out to eat and have a beer with their food and have to drive 40 min one way to do so, which means they are going somewhere else when they buy their drinks and giveing their tax money to some other county, so all this county is doing is making the surrounding counties richer. I'm not saying that this town should have bars and all that but if you think about it, making this town wet would allow better restaurants and creat jobs for more people and more tax money for our community. but thats just my opinion.
Posted by: mike on Oct 15, 2007 at 07:08 PM
grayson shuld allow liquior sales first before a new tax
Posted by: anonymous on Oct 15, 2007 at 07:04 PM
SHAME ON YOU...WE HAVE COOKS ,BUS MONITORS AND AIDES WHO MAKE NOTHING WHO ARE ALREADY ON GOVERMENT ASSISTANCE AND WE ARE GOING TO TAX THEM MORE, THIS IS MONEY THEY SPEND ON FOOD OR A PACK OF DAMPER FOR THEIR BABIES, AND THEY DO NOT EVEN LIVE IN THE CITY. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU. THESE PEOPLE LIVE WITH IN THEIR MEANS AND SO SHOULD EVERYONE ELSE. SOME OF THE BOARD EMPLOYEE JUST WORK TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE AND CARRY FAMILY PLAN SO THEIR FAMILES WILL HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THIS IS A COST OF APX. 480.00 A MONTH THERE IS NOTHING LEFT FOR YOU ALL TO TAKE. TEACHER HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL AND GET DEGREES WITH STUDENT LOANS THEN HAVE TO GET THEIR MASTERS WITH STUDENT LOANS, THEY ARE THE LOWEST PAID CERTIFIED TEACHER IN THE STATE, AND THEIR RETIREMENT IS DEDUCTED FROM THEIR PAYCHECKS EACH MONTH. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING LEFT TO GIVE. SO BE READY FOR THE PEOPLE OF CARTER COUNTY ON NOVEMEBER 12 WHERE ARE VOICE WILL BE HEARD IN GREAT NUMBERS........TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION...
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 15, 2007 at 06:56 PM
This tax is needed!!! For those who work in the city and don't live in the city, you still use city services when you are working. The people who are bashing the police department don't have a clue. How many of you would risk your life for 9 dollars an hour. Grayson is way behind where they need to be and yes the city employees have to pay the tax and they are willing to do it to help out the city in the long run.
Posted by: anonymous on Oct 15, 2007 at 06:27 PM
This tax would be very unfair. Most people that work in the city of Grayson barely make much over min. wage and these people cant afford no more deductions. These people dont make enough to even use the deduction on there taxes for whoever stated this above. Then the city wants to assess this tax to pay city workers more and to improv the city, think about these employees you want to assess this again they need help theirself. There should be grants available to the city to do all these things. What is the city counsel doing taking the easy way out. Most of the city counsel probably dont work in Grayson so this wont effect them. Really 1.75% is kind of steep. Do you want to run the businesses that are in the city out of the city. I think what we need is better management of the city.
Posted by: Worker who is fed up!!! on Oct 15, 2007 at 04:01 PM
Everybody in Grayson knows how much of a raise the Grayson police deserves, yeah thats right 0.00 or maybe even cut there pay. I would be ok with the payroll tax if it was going for a good cause! Not giving it to people who don't deserve it because they don't do their job the way it is. Also, why should i pay for a raise for the cops when they make more than me? Questions and many of them and not many answers.
Posted by: buzz lightyear on Oct 15, 2007 at 02:54 PM
Supposedly Chief Keith Hill said his police officers could draw Food Stamps. Well what about the people already working for less than his officers, that are drawing food stamps. Then he, the mayor, and city council are taking from these people that make less, for their own gain. Most of his officers have a lot more than a lot of people working mininum wage jobs. VOTERS REMEMBER THIS FOR NEXT ELECTION!!! (Unless they get impeached first!)
Posted by: Trixie on Oct 15, 2007 at 02:02 PM
The majority of people who work in the city, live outside of it's limits. This majority cannot vote for mayor or city counsilmen. Those who live in the city can vote, and why wouldn't they re-elect these people? They will benefit from improvements, not the people living outside the city. However, think about this, most people working in the city, spend money in the city, whether it is to purchase gas, groceries, fast food, etc. What if those workers decided to not shop in the city? I do believe Grayson needs to make improvements in many areas, but I don't think this is the way. Every job I have ever had, I didn't get a raise unless I deserved it.
Posted by: B on Oct 15, 2007 at 01:54 PM
To Unfair, I was at the council meeting on Oct. 8 First, the raise & backpay that was given to city workers was from a previous grant the city had received. And as for your comment that the tax was voted on and passed in one session, this is not accurate the tax was discussed at the previous council and it was published in all the local newspapers that the vote would take place at the Oct. 8 meeting, that is how I knew to attend as this is not something I normally do. Grayson needs this tax to survive. It is the mentally of people like you that has keep this town in the backward state that it is in & has been for the 30 years that I have lived here. And by the way, I live outside of city limits but work in the city.
Posted by: peter north on Oct 15, 2007 at 01:25 PM
Please read the comments made by MAMA. She is the only on besides Citizen in the Know that makes any sense. Oh wait, this is the town that voted down a Library... Does anyone need help reading it?
Posted by: to anonymous on Oct 15, 2007 at 01:23 PM
This is for the "next election dude": You wont even get out to vote!!HA!
Posted by: annoyed on Oct 15, 2007 at 01:16 PM
This tax is a crime. If the city needs money so badly, why don't they tax the people who live in the city, and will get all the benefits from the money too? Property taxes should be increased first and then if the need is still there then a work tax should be looked at. Why should people living out of the city who won't get the benefits of the extra tax be the ones supplying all the money. Are KCU employees going to be paying the taxes too or are they exempt like so many others. Cooks and other businesses should be paying their share of taxes instead of being exempt or having much reduced rates. Why is it the mayor's son just happened to get a raise and drives a new "city vehicle" yet the rest of us are getting taxed for working here. Is this the reason for the increase? Will he be paying the new work tax?? These are questions I want answered.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 15, 2007 at 01:04 PM
I understand that something has got to give...but have all the merchants thought about all the out of town people that shop in town...I live outside the city, but work in the city, but I also shop in the city and buy a city sticker every year. I buy my lunch every day at one of the local restaurants. I buy my groceries, medication, gas, and not to count all the extras inside the ciy. The mayor & council better start thinking about what this will do to our local business. The Chamber shouts shop in Grayson... and the city is trying to lose revenue for local business. I also hear that once they get this in, it will raise to 3 percent because this will not be enough for what they need.
Posted by: Josie on Oct 15, 2007 at 10:50 AM
I work for $6.25/hr and I work 40 hours a week and I bring home $211.00 a week. I have 2 children to raise and keep in mind I do not receive any government aid whatsoever. I barely am able to keep food on the table and pay my utility bills. I live in the country and by the time all bills are paid and the bare essentials are paid for there is no money left over. I guess I'll have to look at my grocery list and see what I can cut out so the city workers can have their rasie and somebody can have a sidewalk to walk down or whatever else the city and its employees need. Lets see a gallon of milk is over $4.00, I guess the kids can go without milk even though it is important for their growth and development. And no I'm not being sacrastic!!!! We live on a very limited budget and even though an extra $6.00 a week dosen't sound like much to those who support it,try walking in my shoes and think about the poor who are really being effected by this tax.
Posted by: anonymous on Oct 15, 2007 at 10:18 AM
How many city council members work in the city? I would like to work for someone who pays 20 grand a year. Is it also true that Ms. Lemaster ran the city office by herself until she retired, now they have 3 or 4 people working there?
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 15, 2007 at 10:11 AM
If officers want more money then we need to have stricter guidlines for someone to become an officer, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry off the street who takes a test and passes it. Teachers don't make much money either, but we certainly have to spend a lot to become one. I say NO!!!
Posted by: unknown on Oct 15, 2007 at 07:38 AM
I do not live in the city and I work in Grayson...and yes I do understand the need for the tax...But, I work at a fast food resturaunt and only make basically pennies and I budget every penny that I make...this obviously will put a little bit of hurt on me...but that is okay, I will survive and do what I need to do..I agree that something has got to give in Grayson...we need a better community and it sounds like this is dividing us...maybe there is another way...
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2007 at 09:46 PM
If you make 20 grand a year and the tax is 1.75% then that is $350.00 per year! What's the big deal. I have lived in Grayson all my life and this town has got to change. Yes, I agree our city officers could be a little better. But that issue needs to be addressed with the person who continues to hire them. The city officers make a little over $9.00 per hour with no retirment. If we want better officers we need better incentives for them. It's about time we get someone on City Counsil who knows there butt from a hole in the ground and will make some very needed changes within this backward town. This small tax is only a step forward in the right direction. Wake up Grayson!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2007 at 09:44 PM
I would have no problem with the tax if it was lower. 1 to 2 % adds up quick.
Posted by: A citizen in the know on Oct 14, 2007 at 09:33 PM
First of all, these comments are funny. Yes, the mayors son is a police officer,did you just figure that out? Why did you vote for the mayor then? He has been a police officer 9 years!And no, the city dosent receive any money from the jail and no the jail didnt buy the sheriff new cars. That comes from state funded grants. You guys are great. Lets see, "city workers going to QUIT?" Where you gonna go? Mcdonalds? The new Walmart when it comes? Stay put friends, I know you will! The city has not changed in 20 years and that is the bottom line. Everyone wants the benifit of something but never wants to pay for it. And if it causes you to have to pay 1000.00 then good god, I would love your salary and be glad to pay a thousand! And no, the city does not patrol outside the limits, only when the State Police need assistance. Have you guys seen the new explorer? It is beautiful and yes Travis drives it when he is on duty.Why? Cause it is a POLICE PACKAGE CRUISER!Wake up Grayson, Disco is dead!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2007 at 08:44 PM
wait till the next election....lol
Posted by: Linda on Oct 14, 2007 at 07:23 PM
A correction to the story. In Ohio, cities tax those who work AND/OR live in the city. Their thinking is that commuters use the streets and traffic lights while driving to and from work and police and fire protection while on the job. I paid it for years but since I live outside the city limits, could not vote on the tax or the amount.
Posted by: Loretta on Oct 14, 2007 at 06:39 PM
I dont like this tax either. I live outside of Grayson but work in town. I hear alot of things where I work and Everyone is against this tax. I think that the Council should look more into what Grants are out there. they have alot of different grants out there that would help tremedously. I would like to be able to have a raise and have benefits to. But I know for a fact that the police dept. and other city employees do make good money. I would love to have benefits as well. But I thank God everyday that at least I do have a job to help pay my bills. I don't blame anyone for wanting a raise. But I beleive that they should look into different grants and other things. I dont know what happened to all the money from the Carter County Bash except we did get a welcome center and a small play ground. I dont think it is right if the courthouse is exempt from having to pay the tax. It takes every penny that I can make to support my family and I'm sure that is the way with everyone else.
Posted by: mama on Oct 14, 2007 at 02:16 PM
I want to clear some of the misconceptions of this tax. 1. NO ONE is exempt. 2. These taxes can be deducted at the end of the year if you file long form. 3.The City of Grayson or Olive Hill receives no financial aid from the County. These cities have to pay the County for dispatching services even though everyone pays a e-911 tax. 4. The Board of Education has the highest tax rate of any district, as a person who has no children in the school system, then should I pay the school district tax on property or my utilty bills? For those against the tax, Remember not to complain when the streets are dirty, snow covered and a ambulance can not get to the Nursing home to save a life,sidewalks are impassable and the city is a ghost town and you have to drive to the next county to purchase items. (Those employees in the next county pay a payroll tax) I would rather shop local, supporting businesses in my town and pay a small tax instead of giving it to another county.
Posted by: Miss Lou on Oct 14, 2007 at 01:55 PM
This tax is fair. The Summer Bash monies were for the entire County, not a event overseen by the City. The City had to apply for Bash money just like everyone else. I dont think people realize that the people who dance for a local pizza business in Grayson make more money than several employees for the city. This tax is as fair as the school tax is on property and all utility bills for people who do not have children in school. Also does the public realize that the Cities of Olive Hill and Grayson have to pay for dispatching service from the county even though everyone pays a e-911 tax on every utility and phone bill. Another issue is that all employees of the city must pay this tax as well. NO ONE is exempted. If this tax does not pass, please do not complain about the conditions of the streets, sidewalks or kids skateboarding in your neighborhood. This tax would cost a person who works 40 hours a week @ 5.65 and does not pay for thier health ins. or retire. hour less than $4.00.
Posted by: angry citizen on Oct 14, 2007 at 01:41 PM
To Lady J find other means of getting the money than tax the poor citizens of grayson. This is just unreal. Apparently you don't live from paycheck to paycheck. Most people don't have the income to live on. So why should we pay anymore
Posted by: green on Oct 14, 2007 at 12:47 PM
I don't live in Grayson but I visit friends out there a lot, and I've got to say the roads are terrible in some places. I can't say if a tax increase is necessary for the other issues (parks, city workers etc.), but Grayson does need to do something about their roads.
Posted by: Lady J on Oct 14, 2007 at 11:41 AM
To those who think there are exemptions from the tax, they are WRONG. All city employees HAVE to pay the tax as well. Majority of the employees live outside the city. Also this tax can be deducted are income tax if you file itemized. To correct UNFAIR's comment the tax HAS NOT passed as yet. And to TINK, the city of Grayson receives NO revenue from the JAIL, that is the County. I reside out in the county and I will have to pay this tax as everyone. The employees have not had a raise in over 5 yrs. I ask everyone to remember the last time they had a raise. Then ask yourself, would you have stayed with an employer if you havent received a raise since 2001.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2007 at 09:38 AM
this is so wrong? We as a community working minimum wage cannot afford this tax. There is families working to make a living not to provide insurance and pention for police officers. First of all if they would do their job then that would be different. They don't do anything but chase girls in skirts. They are wanting money to take care of their families and their girlfriends they all have babies by. This is not going to work at all. Better be finding a new place to have this meeting.
Posted by: something to think about on Oct 14, 2007 at 08:58 AM
they say the city needs revenue for parks, sidewalk repairs, and police equipment. A few years ago we were having the carter county bash that was suppose to raise money for the city. Where did all that money go? We got one welcome center and a redone playground. Why did grayson need a welcome center? I guess it costed years of the bash to have both these items. Expensive playground. They said this money would help provide recreation for the town. How many people have been to the welcome center...2? How are we to believe the tax money will go to what is suppose to and not into the pockets of employees for vacations and new cars?
Posted by: MAD on Oct 14, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Is it fair to tax people who make less than the city employees already make? Wages in this town that will be taxed is low enough...people barely live paycheck to paycheck here, they cant afford to lose any income...groceries are raising, gas is high, electric bills are high, but instead of us providing for our families, we must give money for new cars, pay raises, and a park.
Posted by: Sadie Lou on Oct 13, 2007 at 07:06 PM
I think this is a good idea. 2007 is the first raise the employees of the city of Grayson have had in over 5 years. Citizens complain there is no recreation, streets are not newly paved ect. This tax will provide the needed upkeep of the city. Everyone will have to pay the tax including the employees who just got a raise. It is time someone stood firm for the City of Grayson to catch up with the 21st century.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2007 at 12:24 PM
The bottom line here is the Mayor's son needs a pay raise and some benefits. This tax is way too excessive. A husband and wife who work in Grayson will be out close to $1000 a year. The mayor says we need better benefits for our police force, maybe we need a more ethical and professional police force. This tax is unfair, especially for those who live out in the county, or in another county and have to pay for services they do not receive. The city does need to raise revenue, maybe they should look at KCU or ConAgra foods. Both of these two have free-loaded off this community long enough. Some businesses are already talking about relocating outside of city limits, and I don't blame them.
Posted by: jim on Oct 13, 2007 at 09:54 AM
Grayson waste thousands of taxpayer dollers by patroling outside city limits with city police. Now they say they need new police cruisers brcause their police cars have too many miles on them. How stupid is that? A little common sense would go a long to help solve their budget problems.
Posted by: unfair! on Oct 13, 2007 at 09:54 AM
This is a major decision! Why were the city council members the only ones to know about this and voted in one night and passed? Pretty quick decision? The city employees paychecks are exempt from the tax, along with authorities figures in town. Why is this fair? Shouldn't it be all people working in the city getting taxed? Why are there exemptions? Having spoken to a employee of the police department, they have already gotten their raises and are being back paid for it as well. Yet they say the tax doesnt start until jan 08'. Something is really fishy about this whole thing! If we are going broke as a town then how can we afford pay raises 3 months before the taxing even begins?
Posted by: anonymous on Oct 13, 2007 at 09:45 AM
This is taxation without representation! I am all for the city cops getting raises if they are providing results from their duties. I live 9 miles outside of grayson, out of city limits, the police do not help here at all. Yet we work in the city. Being a 30 year life long resident of carter county....the cops are not doing good enough in my eyes to get a raise. Currently in our town, robberies and break ins are at an all time high. Almost everyday I hear of someone getting robbed, mostly due from the overwhelming number of young kids hooked on pills!! Yet they cant catch anyone. The drug problem in this town is out of control!! I watch young person after young person lose their life to drugs. Although all the well-known drug sellers, get caught and walk free, imagine that. Why is our crime rates so high? This is a small town and everyone knows and hears everything here. Bring the crime rate down, show improvements in our town, then you deserve a raise, but uphold the laws, not favors!
Posted by: CITY WORKER on Oct 13, 2007 at 09:41 AM
I THINK THE CITY TAX IS UNFAIR. THE REASON THE MAYOR IS SO CONCERNED ABOUT BETTER PAY FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS IS BECAUSE HIS SON IS ON THE GRAYSON CITY POLICE FORCE. I THINK IT IS STUPID TO TAX PEOPLE WHO MAKE LESS MONEY THEN WHAT THE CITY POLICE OFFICERS MAKE. THE COURT HOUSE IT EXEMPT FROM THE TAX, SO DOESN'T THAT INCLUDE MAYOR STEELE AND MANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO VOTED THIS TAX IN. FOR THE MAYOR TO SAY THE CITY IS GOING BROKE IS STUPID. SOME HOW WE ARE ABLE TO AFFORD A BRAND NEW FORD EXPLORER FOR THE MAYORS SON TO DRIVE AROUND, WHILE HE IS ON DUTY. I THINK THIS WHOLE IDEA IS STUPID AND WE ARE DEFINATLY GOING TO GO BROKE IF THE CITY PUTS THIS TAX IN EFFECT, BECAUSE MANY CITY WORKERS ARE GOING TO QUIT. JUST LIKE WEST VIRGINIA IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL TO TAX OUR INCOME. IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF WE WERE ABLE TO VOTE HIM IN, BUT WE ARE NOT.
Posted by: Bob on Oct 13, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Ir this does not pass I do not want to hear anyone else in Grayson complain about their police force. For that matter about a town that does not have that "much" (parks, sidewalks, etc.) This tax is long overdue and will help this city move forward in several areas.
Posted by: TINK on Oct 13, 2007 at 07:09 AM
just who does he think he is fooling? he is out to make a name for himself and he is doing just that.sure he wants more money for the police officers,because his son is one,if he could he would forget about the rest of the city workers.let him get some money from the jail,they rake in plenty,thats how new cars were bought for sheriffs office and other things.as far as roads we could all go back to dirt roads and maybe even horse and buggy.who is he to say grayson wont be here in 20 years.i feel sorry for the honest hard working people of carter co.that is out there working for minium wage and not running up and down the street in a police car looking for anything with two legs.
Posted by: debbie on Oct 12, 2007 at 10:09 PM
i thank this taxe in crese is wrong for the people who dont live in town people who only make mimam wage cant pay this sort of thing' its wrong .
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The Yell: Comments for the Week of 6/28
  • Posted By: news bias: i saw video of people protesting coal.I DIDNT SEE people protesting being taxed into poverty,THE TEA PARTY.this is why more and more people are realizing the left wing so called news are being found out about their socialist agenda.where would t.v.stations get their power from ,if not coal.they can talk the talk,but can they walk the walk.all talk,no substance.liberal thru and thru...
  • Posted By: nurse: cps says young kids can't use a weed eater or so i hear. so then why can these same kids put on football pads during the summer and have the coaches w/ parents approval run til they puke or get sick from heat exhaustion. and yes if your kid wants to play football then you do have to allow your kid to go through all that or they wont get to play. so why cant the same child weedeat.
  • Posted By: buck: why is it w/ summer sports it seems the parents make it all about them instead of the kids. am i wrong or do alot of these parents seem to want to relive life again through the kids. or even worse make a claim to being so good at whatever the sport the parent did that they push the kid all because of what they did 'or never did'. These parents also seem to be the really high ego type person. funny thing is if the parent was so good then why arent they pro or at least a great college player. what i have noticed is the the kids w/ the parent who did play college or was on the verge of being pro does not press the issue. they allow the kids to play ball. just my opinion
  • Posted By: Kerry: I would just like to give the city of Huntington a great big THANK-YOU!!! for the wonderful fireworks show. Despite the slight drizzle we had a great evening out. Also had an amazing dinner at "5 guys". Thank you!!!!
  • Posted By: ProudAmerica: On this holiday, I want to send out thanks to all the soldiers, veterans and their families. Without your service, this holiday would not be possible. Please know that you are very much appreciated.
  • Posted By: Anonymous: My comment is about the WV Unemployment office. The people who work there must be the most incompetent baffoons imaginable because it seems that they can never get anything right. It is bad enough that you have to wait in line for hours with all the other people who were unfortunate enough to lose their jobs due to the bad economy but when you finally get to see someone, they always manage to completely mess things up. As if to add insult to injury, they also seem to take great pleasure in denying someone because of their mistake which forces you to appeal their "decision" and go through it all over again. These people are far worse than your typical state employee, they are morons.
  • Posted By: Eve: Has anyone had people soliciting at their homes for "Cabell County schools"? Had a female come to the house this morning (on the July 4 holiday) from "University of Georgia" on behalf of Cabell County to talk to local parents. She had no list of student names and made the assumption that we had kids by the toys/bikes in our yard. She had a notebook with "local parents" names that she had talked with, but I didn't recognize any of the names. She asked about the neighborhood and if any other kids lived there. I didn't disclose any info except that lots of kids live in the area. Didn't let her in the house. Just suspicious because of the holiday and local home robberies. Called Huntington Police to inform them. Wanted to post to get more info out to other families. Have a safe holiday and if anyone else has similar info, please call the Huntington Police Dept. @ 696-4470.
  • Posted By: : To By?? Sounds to me like your doing some bashing too. Let's keep our feelings about each other to ourselves.
  • Posted By: : Seems to me the more than one person has too much time on their hands. I don't understand why people get on here and bash each other's comments. Why don't you all get jobs. WOW, don't think I will return to this section of the webpage anymore.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello working people of WV this is Big Earl and people there is nothing wrong with eating good wholesome foods like bacon sausage eggs lard flour and the like all these PETA types are ganging up on our good food like you cant go to a baseball game now and get a hotdog without a PETA nut bothering you boo hooing about the poor little pig that turned out as a hotdog. Now my favorite restaurant in the world Kentucky Fired Chicken has thrown in twith these nuts and is grilling chicken now. Chicken was never meant to be grilled only fried regular or extra crispy. So people I say get busy we have work to do they is two states in front of us we in WV have to reclaim our top spot as best fed in the whole country go down to the foodland or kroger and get a cube of regular mountain dew a sack of Lays chips and some good ball park big red smokeys with a big bowl of chili and have a grill out tomorrow to celebrate the fourth of July in style and may I say God bless the USA and coal miners too.
  • Posted By: food for thought: Yes I am a Christian. I do need to understand the book of Revelation more and the end time prophecy. Like most I have the concept of it. Just to make it short, government dependence(happening more than ever) and is almost being forced for the citizens of this country to rely on. Cap and trade?(sign of the mark of the beast?)I don't know. I am ready. You that believe in science is fine, I do too. I do not go as far as to believe every report they give out. I pose this question. if you are so worried about global warming that means you don't like heat or burning:correct? Hmmm, think on this of what in Revelation I do understand. The lake of fire is where the worm dieth not and the fire is never quenched. Eternity is forever, on this Earth we are just passing through.
  • Posted By: to why: no ,hetrosexuals wont go to hell any slower than gays.adultry fornication,stealing lying murder etc,are all sins.every one sins,it just that you cant say you want to be a christian,and keep on with bad habits or not want to change and expect god to say thats all right.life is a struggle for all of us.we are expected to repent and try our hardest to do whats right.god respects that.you are not in any more danger than any other sinner.i know that homosexuality is a sin but so is adultry.would we tell an adulter that its all right to keep on hurting their marriage and spouse and thats alright,no.i would rather live beside an honest caring,productive gay person than a dishonest evil selfish nosy buissybody any day.we are only responsible for our own sins and actions.you sound stressed,lighten up.but homosexuality is a sin,like adultry and fornication,nobody gets a free pass.
  • Posted By: Patty: Good points, Htiek, but the status quo with coal mining, which is a dirty business, no matter how it is marketed, i.e., "clean coal" (coal is dirty, period), will remain till the resources are depleted, the land and environment of the coal fields are destroyed, which is pretty much the case at present.
  • Posted By: bonn: One more thing and I really will stop. Why does the weather cycle? I do not know everything-no one does. But everything has its purpose. Sometimes, more cold is called for. If we don't have hard winters snakes and mosquitoes thrive, for one. Mosquitoes are a large part of fish diet. And snakes keep rodents in check. But too much cold hurts other things that call for warmer temps. Quail is one thing that comes to mind that suffer in the frigid temps. We just don't understand all of the workings of these things. But it is all to keep a balance-many times in things we ourselves have killed off, such as bear and wolves. Even if we don't like some species, they all serve a purpose and nature helps keep that balance. Our world really was wonderfully made. With all the changes in temperature, we still have seasons. You can know it will be cold in winter and hot in summer. The excesses serve a purpose we sometimes can not see. Strive to learn of all of her wonders, not follow blindly.
  • Posted By: bonn: I would like to apologize if I have been short and critical. I really am sorry. It is no excuse, but I have a very sick child who may be dying and I get so upset at the state of our world. I do have to quit reading these comments. But I hope I have caused a few people at least to think with their own common sense instead of blindly following whatever. Some theories may be correct. But many ARE for monetary purposes. We each were given a mind to think with. Question everything before taking it as it appears. And be sure and thank a veteran for the freedom we celebrate this weekend. Too many have died to protect it to just give it up willingly. And whether or not you are religious, lets try to love one another. Love can fix so many things! Try to keep our world clean, But that doesn't have to bankrupt us. We can all do our part in whatever ways we can. The old saying "Give a hoot, don't pollute" should not have gone out of style. And use your wikipedia to read "Ice Age" to see cycling.
  • Posted By: Follow up on cap and rape: CNSNews.com) – The 1,400-page cap-and-trade legislation pushed through by House Democrats contains a new federal policy that residential, commercial, and government buildings be retrofitted to increase energy efficiency, leaving it up to the states to figure out exactly how to do that. This means that homeowners, for example, could be required to retrofit their homes to meet federal “green” guidelines in order to sell their homes, if the cap-and-trade bill becomes law. The bill, which now goes to the Senate, directs the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and implement a national policy for residential and commercial buildings. The purpose of such a strategy – known as the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) – would be to “facilitate” the retrofitting of existing buildings nationwide.In other words all your appliances-heating-stove -fridge-windows-would have to meet green standards before we sell SOCAILISM HAS ARRIVED YESWEDID
  • Posted By: ANOTHER YES WE CAN: First you paid to insure your car. Soon you may have to add health insurance premiums to that stack of monthly bills as well. In a revamped health care system envisioned by senators, people would be required to carry health insurance just like motorists must get auto coverage now. The government would provide subsidies for the poor and many middle-class families, but those who still refuse to sign up would face fines of more than $1,000. The details were unveiled Thursday in a health care overhaul bill supported by key Senate Democrats looking to fulfill President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.SOCAILISM IS HERE The Congressional Budget Office estimated the fines would raise around $36 billion over 10 years. Senate aides said the penalties would be modeled on the approach taken by Massachusetts, which now imposes a fine of about $1,000 a year on individuals who refuse to get coverage. Under the federal legislation, families would pay higher penalties than individuals
  • Posted By: bonn: Good grief! The brain washing has gone so far it will never get better. Some of this way of thinking makes me physically ill in my stomach. All of one mind! Mindless devotion to whatever is contrary to common sense and whatever theory is being passed around. Most families have both parents working, some two jobs, just to make it now. Soon you won't even be able to work enough to carry your family, the government and the ones who won't work. Then you will be disposable and they will start killing you off because you can't give them enough money. But you will blindly keep following. It is easy to see how Hitler took control and how it is being set up for the antichrist to take control. I quit. I will never read another comment. And Kris, did that nut not know the sky has always appeared blue? Hahaha Goodbye. I know you will reply, but I won't be reading it. Never again. Either you believe God or the scientists. I choose God. And freedom!
  • Posted By: cap and trade: world net daily has an informative article on home ownership and all buildings in u.s.it is about total government control of everyone.you will have to answer to the gov.or else.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: To Pearl: Thanks for the comment. I try to be an adult and make the usual comments and complaints, But how would you feel if every time you wrote something, Someone would respond back with their own opinions and say that you are wrong! Just the other day I wrote how my child was injured at Camden Park! Of course RoaneCo. had to write something and attack me about my decision to get angry about the situation. Yes, I agree that I should just turn the other cheek but I was raised to stand up for myself!! Why I'm a target I'll never know but I think that I have a right just like everyone else on here and to say my opinion on things whether people agree or not.
  • Posted By: Why?: EVERYONE SINS! Why is being gay the worst sin that sends you "straight" to HELL? Heterosexuals can do all the "sining" they want and still go to heaven but LGBT can't.
  • Posted By: Justme: Coal mining has been around for years and years. I'm sick of all these nuts that are griping about mining. You nuts are always griping. Maybe you need to get a life. If your so against it.. Then turn your lights out. And stop using the power. Move on, and stop taking jobs away from our miner's.
  • Posted By: Htiek: What always amazes me about people in WV is their slavish devotion to coal mining even though it is killing the planet, costs more jobs than it creates, poisons the water, destroys the mountains, scars the land, kills the snail darter, and other horrible things. Things are all so backwards in this country why dont we switch over to something that lasts and is free like the sun and wind? Even if the president said that stuff and I doubt he did and even if he did you are misquoting him or taking him out of context he is right if there is one sure way to get people to stop turning their air conditioners down to 76 it is to raise the price, just like gasoline. People we can learn to ride bikes and walk again, just like they did in the old days, that will help give us exercise and decrease the obesity rate in WV. Food is another area, the slop that people eat like MacDonalds, trans fats, regular soft drinks, anybody with half a brain knows the intelligent thing to do is tax regular soda pop.
  • Posted By: Gandalf: A tea party? Oh my! I must relay this information to my friend Alice and the Mad Hatter. Door Mouse and Rabbit too. They will be thrilled! Oh my bad, must have picked out the wrong book today. Ta Ta!
  • Posted By: Pearl: Roane Co why dont you and Jane pursue your romance elsewhere the yell is for complaints.
  • Posted By: Kris: Just throwing this out there. I'm sitting on my couch wearing sweat pants and short sleeve shirt. I'm thinking about shuting my windows and turning on my heat. Shouldn't I be turning on the air conditioner instead? It's the 2nd of July. Not saying it's global warming but it doesn't seem right. Haven't heard of any heat warning anywhere is the US so far this summer. Great for us but doesn't feel right.
  • Posted By: Kris: Hi Bonn, it is true that these cycles do occur over time. Scientists have taken core samples from the earth and the ice to show these cycles. However, none of the samples show such a dramatic change in such a short period of time. I am a smoker and I will admit that my second hand smoke can and probably will effect the lungs of a non-smoker. The tons of carbon monoxide and other pollutants that we release into our atmosphere HAS TO have an effect on our atmosphere. True story: there was a scientist that day after day after day couldn't figure out why the sky was so blue and clear. Then it struck him, there hadn't been ANY planes in the air for three days. That was 911. What you put out, is what you get back. If you put love out, you will get love back. If you put out negativity, you will get negativity back. For every action, there is a reaction whether it's good or bad. It's in our hands to do our best not to cause an adverse impact to our planet. Peace to ALL!
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello again good working coal mining people of WV this is the coal miners friend Big Earl with news of yet another hippie plot to stick there big noses further into our business now some of these people in Congress has throwed in with the tree huggers they are trying to make it so you cannot sell your house without some nut from the hippie EPA coming in and inspecting it to make sure you are green enough to suit there tastes. This so called cap and trade bill that these busy body do gooders are pushing on us will destroy our jobs and run up the electric bills so that everybody will have to live like the Waltons with 27 people under one roof just to keep warm. Now the average hippie longhair don’t care noway because they would have us all living in mud huts riding mules wearing sandals and weaving baskets to load down with califlowers and arougalas tofu and alfalfa to take up on some worthless mountaintop as an offering to there windmill god instead of having nice homes, cars, a job and cool air in the summer and heat in the winter ALL THANKS TO THE COAL MINER. Anything to bother people attracts these hippies like flies to a cowpie.
  • Posted By: to hteik: hteik has 2 comment .the global warming one was hillarous.it was june 30.he must not have gotten the same public education i did,he was taught that we had satellites in colonial time.but then again he think algoe is really smart,he doesnt know al didn,t really invent the innernet.i think fox news and conservative talk radio would do him a world of good,he,d be shocked at what he doesn,t know.
  • Posted By: Amy: Hey Keith, I must have missed that interview because I was busy clinging to my guns and religion. No, really, I did see it. It's kind of strange how people become so shocked when this stuff is introduced in the House of Reps. Obama outlined every plan he intended to get pushed through and a lot of people just didn't listen. Next time I hope people vote for the best candidate not the best slogan. Yes we can....bankrupt the nation!
  • Posted By: Patriot1: Tea Party: There will be a tea party in Grayson, Ky on July 4th. It will be held at the City Park from 4:00-6:30PM
  • Posted By: Dave: The seat belt law is no law. Its nothing but a deliberate attempt to extort money off the American people,use communist law and control the populace. THE PEOPLE HAVE NEVER VOTED ON IT, BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO GET YOU BELIEVE THAT IT WILL SAVE LIVES. TELL THEM TO GIVE YOU THE FIGURES ON ACCIDENTAL OPERATIONS.And if that doesn't satisfy you then why are we allowing our young brave soldiers to be killed,and for whom? WHY AREN'T THESE NEWSPAPERS BRINGING THIS INFORMATION TO THE PEOPLE? Because the nations 96% are owned and controled by the WEALTHIEST.
  • Posted By: bonn: I was trying to make a point. Perhaps not in the best way. I get so discouraged seeing what is happening around us. One group of scientists call for us to spread soot on all the snow up north to absorb heat to counter the coming ice age. Another (more popular) group calls for painting our roofs white to reflect the heat that is melting our ice caps. Which group is right? Neither. Our earth is doing exactly as it has been doing all along. Cycling naturally. Did it plan it all on its own? Hardly. But no one wants to hear that. It reminds me of "chicken little" yelling "the sky is falling". Only this is not so funny-this is control. And what is even sadder is-people seem to WANT to be controlled. This earth will continue as always until one preplanned day it all comes to a screeching halt. Then a new earth will be created. I will not be caught off guard. I read The Book. I know where I will be. Do you? And do you really enjoy giving those schemers your money that much? I hope one day...
  • Posted By: Keith: A few questions for the Yell audience: Does anyone remember when Obama gave that interview in SanFran Cisco and said that he would not prevent the construction of a coal fired plant, but his policies would bankrupt anybody that tried to build one? That policy was cap and trade. I heard O say that energy prices, under his administration, would "necessairly skyrocket." Is this the hope and change you guys voted for? How will you afford your electric and gas service under this man who cares so much for the poor? Obama said once that he was not bothered that the price of gas had risen so high, just that it happened so fast. How does everyone feel about the gas price? Obama raked John Pablo McCain over the coals for suggesting health care benefits be taxed as income, now he is going to do the same thing to pay for "free" care to illegal aliens, deadbeats, etc...but union workers will be exempt from this tax. How does that make you feel if you work for a living and are not in a union? H&C
  • Posted By: Amy: Hteik, "all is well" because people like us! Give me a break. If all were well, we would not have the largest unemployment rate in 26 years. The stimulus package would prevent it from going above 8%, remember? How is Iran not our business but Honduras is? The people of Honduras have a Constitution very similar to ours and we should support the people not an extremist who is trying to take over their country. The 22nd Amendment does a great service for our nation. IF it would be reversed that would be O.K too. At the rate Obama is going W. could beat him in 2012. At least I would sleep better at night.
  • Posted By: Just Me: Wow Jane Doe, give it a rest. I really don't think God would be please with this going on and on and on...healthy banter is fine, but this is not healthy banter. Christians absolutely can and do get angry, it's what they do with that anger that counts. It doesn't matter where, when, or even IF you go to church...what matters is that you have accepted Christ into your heart and asked for forgiveness of your sins. God didn't save us to judge others, he saved us to lead others to him. I've said many times...what if the person you just yelled at, told off, or whatever showed up at your church on Sunday? Would you be proud of your behavior?
  • Posted By: Sophie: Roane County is a beautiful place. The country roads snake along past fields, farms and old homes we wish could talk. Looneyville is indeed named after the Looney family, so is Gandeeville. My father was from Roane Co. & graduated from Walton High School in the 40's. He told me tales of his school days, friends, boyish pranks, old cars and the fun they had at the 4-H camp. Spencer was a big place to them. Roane Co. gave us many war veterans and kept distant family & friends together with the annual "Roane County Reunion". I don't even know if they still have it, but we used to go. I remember seeing Sen. Robert Byrd play his fiddle there. The Black Walnut Festival in October(?) is a good time to visit Spencer. They usually have a parade, arts & crafts and a museum. You can enjoy a slice of Americana, along with a slice of homemade pie.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: The great Dale Carnegie once said "You never win an argument".Most of you know he wrote" How to Win Friends and Influence People'.Some of you should put this on your Christmas List.I think I will dust it off and revisit this old classic.
  • Posted By: cap and trade: welcome to ''before tax and tax'bill going thru the powers that be.look at your electric bills this monthe there is an enviornmental tax at 2.2cents for every kilowatt you use.can we even imagine what our electric bill will be,not to mention every thing we consume,food water ,every necessity that cant be done without.we in easternky have good reps.in washington,every one in surrounding states should put your so called reps a lot of pressure to defeat this tax and tax bill that is being pushed by a few people to make them richer and control every aspects of productive peoples lives.look at your gasbill also,you will see only a very small portion for gas but the rest in fees and taxes.look at your phone bill you will see a 100percent markup in taxes and fees.its time to put pressure on politicans to protect the citizens and not the lobiest.
  • Posted By: justanotherfly: sounds like jane doe is looking for an easy way out ie a lawsuit
  • Posted By: to bonn: i couldn,t have said it better myself.some things have to be explained like you are talking to a 5year old.but like some 5year olds that are stubborn and spoiled rotten they dont listen.wait till the cost of every thing sky rockets and they will be the first to rant and rave that nobody told them.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: To my biggest fan, RoaneCo: Ummm! It's sounds to me like you have a lot of anger. You have to pick on everyone's comments! I think I speak for everyone when I say (Get a Job)!! Cause you obviously have none! You have all this free time on your hands! Why don't you spend this free time helping others instead of puttin them down! You know..WSAZ has job postings...Maybe you could find one on there!!!!I'm not a negative person. Maybe I'm just like everyone else that has a job and three kids and a lot of things to do! I get stressed out, I know that goes way over your head,You don't get stressed. But because you go to church doesn't mean you can't get angry about stuff!!LOL My father-in-law is a Deacon at my church and even he has a temper!! Look out craveontruth! Looks like RoaneCo. has found someone else to pick on!Good Luck!! Have a perfect day ( I know you will)!!
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Yes Craveontruth, there is a place named Looneyville.(no Jane Doe that isn't where I live) It is on Rt.36, nothing there but the Looneyville Post Office, and I am not joking. There is also a Lefthand Post Office on Rt.36, always wondered why there wasn't a Righthand also. Our County seat is located in Spencer, (middle of nowhere) which for years was only known for its State Mental Institution. (no Jane Doe this isn't my Alma mater) It was closed years ago and now a Wal-Mart is on that location. I guess the only other thing to speak of would be the Black Walnut Festival which is held in Spencer every October.
  • Posted By: bonn, the simpleton: Don't we have a smart earth? She formed herself from a dust cloud, they say and planted herself just the right distance from the sun to support the life she would create. She also filled her insides with molten heat to maintain the right temps and if that builds too much she decides to blow some out holes (volcanoes) to keep from exploding. She makes her own rain, knowing whether she needs a gentle soaking rain for her plants, or a gully washer to cleanse the filth. It pours down the mountains, into the rivers and out into the ocean which she just happened to fill with salt (her natural sanitizer). And she knows if she doesn't have ice she will over heat, but too much and she will freeze, killing her life she so carefully made. So she melts some, then as it heats up, she freezes more. All just coincidental happenings? She is brilliant! But not so smart as the humans who are making a fortune controlling the other dumb humans by convincing them THEY are causing her to do these things!!!
  • Posted By: passing by the yell: I met someone from Looneyville once. It's named that after a person's last name from what I was told.
  • Posted By: Hteik: Well it is nice to see that the war in Iraq is ending under President Obama. Who would have thought, it seems the world is backwards right now, huh? Obama gets elected, the world understands our good will, and all is well. Just like history, Republicans start wars, Democrats finish them. Hate to say we told you so but we told you so, I just get fuzzy inside thinking about all the people that love us now that hated us because of that old Bush. Another thing too, leave this Iran thing alone, that is none of our business. I dont recall anybody from Iran coming over here to help us in 1776 so why should we stick our nose in their business? When you get a strong leader like in Honduras, a good strong leader with a military background, everybody goes nuts because the guy takes things over well I support him and Obama. In fact, some people are so needed we better start now to get rid of the 22nd Amendment, it was only put in by jealous radical extremist crazy Republicans to hurt FDR.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: I don't think I have ever been to Roan County.Nothing against the good people of that neck of the woods.I did enjoy looking it up on wikipedia.Is there really a Looneyville there? If there is then I must visit!Who's with me?
  • Posted By: food for thought: 2-10 years for almost killing a child? Where are our priorities? I know they are nestled in the mountains or wait lying deep in the ocean waiting for anoother person to adopt them and claim rights to the next whale that is proclaimed Shammu or Willy. Get real people lets protest these laws that allow some cook to wanna kill his child and only have to pay his debt of 2 - 10 years. Oh and Kris your right our God won't kill a 1 yr old or a 100 yr old just do to it. He would do it for his glory and maybe take them from being around a half heartened sadistic person that would do this to a child. Oh i love the lights and the A/C and my car, but most of all I love my GOD "Jehovah God" whom i think first and foremost for all I have, then i thank a coal miner and an AEP worker and a so on and so on.
  • Posted By: Kimberly: Raising the WV Toll price? I see a lot of arguments coming from this. Where is all of this money going to? Mansion might be a good governer, but when it comes to things like this, it needs fixed. WV roads are awful and I know after all of these years, surely the toll money has added up to more than enough to fix these roads!!! What an awful awful idea!!
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Bonn, people like you are the very reason I have stated that I respect ones right of freedom of religion. Although I have different views, I have no issues with anyone going to church and trying to live according to their interpretation of the bible. I think that is wonderful. I also thank you Bonn for being open minded and seeing the point I was trying make. And for Anonymous on Jul 1, 2009 at 03:11 PM, no Craveontruth and I are not the same person. We do agree on some issues, and disagree on others. And when we do disagree (speaking for myself of course) we do it without anger. Also, for Bob... sorry, it isn't working. I have a two year old that comes up with better jabs than you. But I respect your right to try.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Just a few comments on current Yells: Big Earl - I just can't read you anymore because it's the same things over & over. Yeah, we're with you - there are a bunch on weed-o's coming around these days trying to shut us down for the sake of some owl...We get it. We all hate it. Roane Co/Jane -It appears Roane has been very hurt in their lifetime by family conflict involving belief. Many people get hurt because of superstition & misinterpretation and overzealousness. It has been this way since time began. I hope Roane can someday get past the hurt & retoric to work out his/her own salvation. Simple belief in Jesus Christ is where it starts, the rest as I put it, is just "gravy". Jane: I'm sorry your child was hurt. This indeed must be reported. I got hurt @ CP one time too on "The Whip". It beat me so hard against the side I had a major bruise on my hip. I strained my arms trying to keep from slamming into the side. A fun thing was not so fun. No rides for me, anymore. Not there.
  • Posted By: : I think RoaneCo. and Craveontruth is the exact same person? Who's with me?
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good people of WV this is Big Earl and I for one am sick and tired of all these out of state know it all nosey people bothering us if it is not these smelly hippies trying to run our jobs off or rename the WVU mascot now they are calling the good citizens of WV fat. Well people I am here to tell you that this bunch at the so called CSPI and no you hippies I don’t mean the TV show calling us fat should look in the mirror they look like something off night of the living dead pasty faced scarecrows and beanpoles and what is so great about that. WV has some of the best staple foods anywhere in the world I have eaten paotatoes beans meat flour and corn meal all my life cooked in lard and I am not one bit worse off for it and can mine coal with anybody. People all the good foods we eat are natural growed in the garden or on the farm so it should even make a tofu eating hippie type happy. I am more bothered that two states beat us out in the race for the top so I tip my hat to the people of the great states of Alabama home of the best country music band ever and Mississippi but people of WV get busy we have to reclaim our title to best fed in the USA I recommend the Kentucky Fried Chicken with gravy and biscuits as a good place to start our comeback.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Actually Jane Doe, growing up I did attend church and read the bible. Being subjected to religion for many years I would not consider myself "confused" or uneducated. If one looks at organized religion with an open mind it isn't hard to see who is confused. For example, you have one bible yet there are numerous religious groups ( methodists, baptists etc...) that believe their interpretation is the only correct interpretation. This is understandable because the bible itself is very contradictive. In my opinion the the bible and organized religion is nothing more than a tool created to control the masses. Yet this tool has pitted man against man, brother against brother, state against state and country against country, not to mention the wars, death and destruction it has caused. I have witnessed in my lifetime many family fueds, broken marriages and busted churches at the hands of organized religion. I have heard the words of hate spoken by christians. I am not confused.
  • Posted By: To Fat Earl: You're losing! Ha,Ha!
  • Posted By: Kris: God does not control the weather!If so then he would be responsible for killing hundreds of innocent people every year in America alone! If that's your God, you can have it! My GOD is loving and compassionate. He would never take the life of a one year old nor a hundred year old just because he felt like creating a tornado that day or a hurricane the next. Get a brain and use it simpletons!
  • Posted By: bonn: To Jane Doe: I am afraid RoaneCo's common sense is more attractive than your comments. Read your last post at 8:58 and see if it shows the Light you are suppose to give. We are suppose to control our anger. Yes, we are forgiven, but it is not a license to keep repeating our faults. It is mercy so we can improve. Viciousness does not become a child of God. RoaneCo., may God forgive us for driving you and others away from Him with our failure to shine the Light of Love. And Jane Doe, I am the one you called ignorant just because I was showing compassion (another expectation of a Christian). It is scary about your child. But that person was not attacking your child, nor joking about it, only disapproving of your outburst. Not very attractive in anyone, especially one called to set an example for others to follow. If you must get angry, use it to accomplish something good. Christians are hated enough WITHOUT cause. Love is the answer.
  • Posted By: Bob: I think we might need to contact someone in state govt.about inspecting our amusement parks to many in the public simply dont care if kids get hurt this could have been something really really bad but I guess there is always a few who would crack jokes at anything even a child getting injured.
  • Posted By: cap and trade bill: you wont hear on liberal obama mania news reports whats in the cap and tax bill.only conservate talk radio and conservative news are telling the contents of this country destroying bill.liberal dont want you to be informed,it would be to dangerous for their so called news networks.did you know that,as i somewhat understand it,that every house in the country will have to be at gov.standards before it can be sold,they will be allowed to change therules in mid stream if they want.even if you dont like conservative news,remember only a well informed person can try to stop tyranny.look for facts,have you heard 1 liberal news tell you whats in this bill thats detrimental to this country and freedom.i challenge wsaz to look up whats in this bill and report accuratly whats in it.i dont think thats going to happen.
  • Posted By: food for thought: AMEN Bonn I could never have said it any better, being a Boone county coal miner and all. We do no get a very well reputation anyway.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: RoaneCo.can hurt but often the truth does hurt.I support RoaneCo.To Jane Doe,I believe RoaneCo.does know quite a bit about Christianity and is not confused at all.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: Thank you everyone for your support!!You know RoaneCo. Nobody is perfect, That goes for Christians too! Are we allowed to get mad??Yes! But are we forgiven everyday? Yes!Obviously you don't know much about Christianity! That's why you critize so much!!You're confused!! We are not perfect! I guess you are!!
  • Posted By: VOTE NO ON CAP AND TRADE: I know its a repost but i think its Worthy 'Liberty Or Tyranny?' House Passes Cap-And-Trade Republicans Warn Bill Gives Federal Government 'Virtual Control' Over 'Every Aspect Of The Lives Of The American People. Thank the Dumbocratic controled house as it will raise the average consumers power bill $175.00 This on top of the energy companies already asking for an inctrase will put such a burden on the American people that only the wealthy will survive.Please write or call our Senators they are the only life line we have left and ask them to VOTE NO on cap and trade. Republicans were overwhelmingly against the measure, arguing it would destroy jobs in the midst of a recession while burdening consumers with a new tax in the form of higher energy costs.And there was plenty to work on in a House-passed measure that pointed toward higher electricity bills for the middle class.Budget Office and the other from the Environmental Protection Agency — that suggested average increases would be $175.00 a year.
  • Posted By: cap and trade survey: against cap and tax,85percent.people who work and are productive.15percent for cap and tax,,,people who work for government or live off the fat of the land and dont mind other people being taxed into poverty....
  • Posted By: : If new drivers would slow down and actually pay attention to what they are doing, then maybe WV would'nt have these new laws for teenage drivers. Personally myself I believe that all states should have this law. It would make the roads a little safer to drive on.
  • Posted By: bonn: About global warming- our temperature is (and always has been) constantly changing. GOD controls it. Anyone who thinks we can are puffing themselves up bigger than we are.Are we suppose to believe we are responsible for the Ice Age thawing that is suppose to have happened way back when as well? How did that happen? Certainly not carbon emissions. Use some common sense and realize people are using this to line their pockets and gain support for their pet projects. I know- you don't want to hear this, but it is not realistic. Don't let America be controlled with this, PLEASE!! Let us remain free!
  • Posted By: Bob: Dont worry Jane Doe I have notice RoaneCOs posts are generally always on the rude side I am sorry to hear about your daughter.
  • Posted By: Just wondering: the 3 people that was killed on alt rt 10. 2 being st. joe's students. Did they ever release the cause of the accident?
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: I do care about the safety of our children Anonymous on Jun 30, 2009 at 09:01 AM, no matter where they are or what they are doing. Our children are our future. What I don't care for is someone like Jane Doe on here week after week preaching her little sermons all the while calling people ignorant and showing her hostility toward others. It has always amazed me how most christians will belittle someone else but the minute you catch them being unchristian like they always come up with the old "we christians ain't perfect". Well I know they are not, but by golly they are the first to judge everyone else. These hyporcitical self proclaimed christians are one of the reasons I turned away from organized religion years ago. I just don't agree with these people shoving religion on everyone else. I respect Jane Does right to religion and I would even fight for her to keep that right, but she, like so many others need to keep their religion in their church and their home.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Well hello again good working coal mining families in WV this is Big Earl and I for one am very disappointed that this cap and trade bill got passed into law the other day no thanks to our good representatives from WV. People all I can say is get a woodpile and a bunch of cow chips because your electric is going to get real expensive real quick. These hippies has run up to Washington DC and boo hooed to them tree huggers and longhairs in the EPA until they got even worse done to our jobs but then again what do you expect from a bunch that has a leaf from a dope plant on there sign like the EPA does if you don’t believe me look on this very website I seen a picture of it. Birds of a feather flock together that’s why the good working people were kept out and not allowed to talk at that hearing and the hippies let in. People these hippies has slandered our great state and coal miners first they bring in professor moonbeam from NASA to insult us then he tucks his tail and runs back to NASA and wont debate Mr. DB then they attack our state university mascot the WV mountaineer. Well people I Big Earl have a solution to this lets call WV the “Ivory Soap State,” make our mascot a bathtub that’s a sure fire way to get rid of these smelly hippies and longhairs and keep them out forever.
  • Posted By: ME: We christians are most always judged by our actions and that is to be expected since we are not perfect in any way. We all make mistakes every day,we get angry,we say things we shouldn't and act out our frustrations sometimes to those closest to us and our friends. We try to do better and ask forgiveness when we do stumble from our christian path. Actions speak louder than words at times, good or bad. Yes we adults act like children at times and children try to act like adults all too soon. We never know who we are influenceing with our actions and words so we need to always try to act,say and do what is right. As long as we are on this earth we will stumble but we should strive to be the best we can be and treat people with love and respect no matter how we are treated. I have turned the cheek many times and been slapped alot and will keep on doing it as long as I breath. My time will come soon enough to be judged as to the way I have lived and treated people.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: I love people on the Yell!!! They give me a chance to laugh everyday. Thanks guys!!
  • Posted By: just looking: UMMMM do you people think that christians are perfect??? Do you think we dont get angry?? Only one person is perfect and that is Jesus Christ...And if a christian says they are perfect, then they arnt a very good christian. We all have faults. Alot of you people cant wait to get up and look at the faults of others and criticize what they believe in....
  • Posted By: Patriot1: Tea Party. There will be a "Tea Party" July 4th from 4:00-6:30 PM at the City Park in Grayson,Ky
  • Posted By: Donna: Please! enough of Michael Jackson. He died, now he will appear before God and face his punishment for his sins against children. He was a morally bankrupt person who the media has presented as an icon. It's no wonder children are so messed up today,too much TV and not enough parenting. You too, are responsible for making him appear as a person to be looked up to. He and others in entertainment and sports are not what the children need, they need moral examples to look up to, please stop the glorification of immoral and indecent individuals.
  • Posted By: food for thought: To those of you telling me to watch out for Fox news, please go back and read carefully what I said about the media and the government. I thank each of you for your information. I am not out to attack anyone whether acclaimed or the average joe. I just know what I have read from reports and from different sites. This information is what our scientists, meteorologists and so forth use in reference to report the records of weather and temperatures. Again thank each of you, and at last Fox news was the channel the fine people at our local (American made) dealership had channeled on the tube, personally I just watch WSAZ, at the local level.
  • Posted By: : Roane Co., why are you not concerned about the safety of small children at amusement parks?
  • Posted By: Htiek: Right on Kris you tell em about Fox News. Everyone that watches knows that the dependable networks are ABF, Anyone But Fox. I am just like everyone else in the know, they lie all the time but please dont press me to cite anything specific as I am having coffee right now. I am new to your side, so pardon me if I get something confused. Those photographs of the ice caps are proof positive as far as I am concerned, these flat earth types that dont believe global warming should compare them to the satellite picutres from the colonial period and over the years since for comparison purposes. I once heard the hottest year on record was in the 1930s but what does that prove. And before one of you know it alls talks about Al Gore riding everywhere in a private plane and having such a huge house and running a company that profits from selling carbon credits, some people in life earn their special privileges simply by showing up and enlightening the rest of us, so there.
  • Posted By: polar ice caps: the weather is always changing.sometime it freezes sometimes it melts,thats gods doings,not mans.wasnt it the great mind of ted danson many years ago that explaind that in 15 or 20 years that the oceans were going to raise so many feet that it would destroy and overflo inward to apolipicate level.i guess the people that live on these coast lines dont know they are under water.we americans are so silly.let me explain what a great creator said,it rains but the oceans are never full.ice melts but the oceans never overflo.i think i,ll believe him instead of a.gore or ted danzen.p.b.s last week on a travel show,,i think,,,,the guide said the glacier there had been melting 150years.that was certainly before the industrial revolution.as for fox,world net daily,newsmax,etc.the liberal press has lost it monolopy on liberal so called news.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: After you finish showing your true colors, go back and read my post again Jane Doe. Better yet let me cut and paste it for you. "I do hope your little girl is ok. I have children of my own, I know how precious they are." And just for the record, I would never "make fun" of a child, but don't think for one second that I won't point out an adult being hypocritical. Are you not the same Jane Doe that three weeks ago was preaching about God, then in the same breath calling someone "IGNORANT"? So let me say it one more time, I hope your little girl is ok. As for you, thank you for proving once again how kind, loving, patient and understanding some of you fine christians can be.
  • Posted By: Kris: This respectfully goes out to "food for thought" for what they said about fox news and global warming.FOX has great movies and tv shows but their view when it comes to the "news" is so far on the "right" way of thinking that it totally obscures reality in their opions of the subject at hand. They'll twist their views to make sure that it is opposite of "liberals" or people on the "left" and how they feel about the subject.Asf or global warming, we have actual time lapsed pictures of the polar caps melting at an alarming rate. You can actually see it happening. If things are cooling down, then why are the polar caps and icebergs melting at an alarming rate? The evidence is right in front of our faces. I sure do hope you're right because if I am, our planet is doomed. Sincerely, Kris
  • Posted By: Jethro: WHATS WRONG WITH YOU ALL UPDATE THE YELL!!!!!!!!!!WAKE UP!!!!!!
  • Posted By: Keith: Never thought I'd sit around and miss Bush...well the wrecking ball has appointed a racist to the supreme court, one that is inept and incompetent too. Did you notice her latest ruling was overturned today? The economy is not getting better, those of you out of work have my sympathy because this clown is not doing anything to make it better. He never held a real job, never ran a business, just a rabble rouser and agitator. How do you feel about cap and trade energy tax? All over a phony problem that doesnt even exist; WV will wither away to nothing but hey we can all get jobs in the windmill factory, cant we? How do you feel about having your health benefits taxed to pay for Obamacare? How's the hope and change working out for everyone? What do you think card check is going to do the economy? Check out an article about Obama the African Colonialist on the American Thinker Website, dated June 25th. It explains him to a "T." Obama is a wrecking ball, and he's gonna roll over everyone.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Well hello again good working coal miners of WV this is Big Earl and people I have come to the conclusion that we need some friends in Washington DC that has got some clout. Some people up there has got big names but nobody apparently listens to, that is if they show up at all in court to help you out, those who are sick are excepted. Then there are some people in Charleston who should be in Washington who shall remain unnamed because nobody in Gov. Joes office asked me to say that. But remember who had that bunch from FEMA down here handing out checks before two weeks after the flood water hit and figure out who has clout. You people that went up for the hearing last week should be thanked but the good people never got to say a word but these hippies did, they are apparently now running around the creek with microscopes looking for fish that cant be seen with the eye, something called a microbe, now they are blaming the coal miner for killing off this worthless animal and I sincerely hope Captain D or old Long John will never put some slop like that on my plate when I want good seafood. If you dont see it it cant be of no good use anyway, sort of like a certain US senator with a big rich name who was nowhere to be seen last week.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: To RoaneCo. How dare you critize my comment. This isn't just some fun arguement!! My child is hurt! Do you think that's funny? Do me a favor, Next time I write about my kids, Don't comment! I hope you don't have any kids because you don't see the harm and worry in my comment, You just want to fight and make fun of someone!! This is really serious!! I don't see the humor!!!
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Did any of you people see those PETA nuts on the TV 3 news last night boo hooing about having to tie there dogs up hello again working people of WV this is Big Earl and I don’t know about you but I always thought it was rude and inconsiderate and just being a bad neighbor to let your dogs run wild all over the neighborhood digging up peoples backyards rooting around in garbage cans and doing there business all over the place. Have any of you people in Huntington ever lost a chicken to a wild dog. Even these back to nature types and hippies up here in Boone County tie up there dog to guard there dope patches but they don’t have no sense anyway if they aint going to Washington DC to try and rook us out of our jobs by carrying signs and yelling about some invisible fish that is no good to anybody they are screaming about the coal miner killing polar bears and other animals that don’t even live here. Apparently this bunch had the bright idea to go down to the park on Sunday down in Huntington when people was out with there families trying to walk around and enjoy things and they chained themselves to trees with real dog chains trying to get people to sign a protest petition to of all people a mayor named Wolf now I don’t know about you but that mayor better forget the beware of dog sign he needs to put a beware of the PETA nut sign up in that park.
  • Posted By: The Seeker: @food for thought: It is indeed important to check facts, and it heartens me to see that you're of the type that actively seeks them (even thought I fall on the side of the debate that believes in climate change, as it has solid science behind it). However, I caution you on taking anything from FOX news at face value. This is an organization that in 2000 won a case in Florida appeals court in which the court ruled that FOX has no obligation to tell the truth to it's viewers, and can misinform the public under the first amendment. This is also an organization that has been proven to have an agenda, and frames every bit of it's coverage to favor one political party over the other. My advice is to seek out less obviously biased news sources, especially in cases such as global warming, which is an issue that transcends political parties and affects every being on the planet.
  • Posted By: Hugh: Hey WVa. Checkin out the YELL. Kind of quiet today. Enjoyed my visit there. Met John Henry at the Big Ben Tunnel,saw the big bridge. Stood at Hawk's Nest and viewed the scenery. If I wasn't so old and crippled, I'd bungee jump from the New River Gorge Bridge. Have folks who live in the Talcott area and some around Hinton. Well won't take much of your time today. Just wanted to check in.
  • Posted By: what is foor for thought?: foor?? for thought, you do know Bush made those he commissioned to study it alter their reports when he found out it supported global warming, don't you? Anyone who just sees pictures of the ice caps 30 years ago and now would have to be mentally handicapped not to know there's global warming, the only thing that's possible to debate is the cause of it. Wonder why Fox didn't mention the Bush fiasco? Well I don't really wonder.
  • Posted By: more p.c at wsaz: gays in usa sounds like it was written by a gay person,so it was printed.it was,nt written by a gay person.it was a second thought,after i commented on other sins,such as adultry,but plainly written by a heterosexual person.it was not printed because im straight and not gay.so goes our country and freedom.
  • Posted By: Lou Ann: Ive had a similar bad experience at camden park several years ago. Havent went back since. The pricing is just another deterrent to doing business locally. I love this area but am very discouraged by the lack of pride in our appearance in several of our towns, the prices of doing business, the attitude towards the customer , the lack of merchandise. I could go on. We definately are not tourist friendly in the great ohio valley area.
  • Posted By: foor for thought: Looks like my comment on June 24th may be right. I have done some reading about this Global warming fad the government is putting on. I was sitting in a local car dealership and FOX news was reporting on the government sitting or "burying" studies by two of the highest ranking EPA officials contradicting this myth. Some of the comments from their studies proves the Global temperature if anything has decreased. Although, you should be skeptical about anything the media reports especially when it involves the government these are facts that have been recorded over time. I ask how come when these bozos as Dr. Hansen whom is from NASA(which has done innumerable amounts of damage to our air with their testing) never mention facts as these when trying to prove things they are claiming is a fact. People we in America have became lazy in seeking the truth, I am not disputing anything these scientists and the government tells us, but as we learned in elementary school check facts of both sides.
  • Posted By: gays in u.s.a.: another reflection on gays.if you think god doesn,t care about you because you,re gay ,he must love you more than you can comprehend,if not you could have been born ina muslim country.islam has no homosexuals ,they are not rehabilitate,just beheaded.as a loving and compassionate god says"GO AND SIN NO MORE".that doesnt mean just you it means all of us.yes god allows you to choose,he must really care.
  • Posted By: City of Milton: I'm glad that the City of Milton has so much money to spend and that they spend it wisely. Every time I drive through town on a nice day it never fails that someone is washing their personal vehicle at the VFD. Good to see that they budget personal car washes into the city budget. I think I'll stop in there today and see if I can wash my car as well...should be a nice day!
  • Posted By: Valorie: About four weeks ago, I sent a letter to Camden Park with a friendly suggestion to open the park to the casual visitor again. As of today, I still haven't had a response from them. There used to be a small fee for admission to anyone who just wanted to visit. Once inside the park, a visitor could buy a corn dog or pay to play a few games or ride a few rides. Now people have to pay a full admission price for all day rides, even when they don't plan to stay all day. A lot of people are grandparents who just want to watch their grandchildren ride for an hour or two. Some are young parents with small children who tire easily. As empty nesters, my husband and I would like to drop by to get a bite to eat, play some games or just walk around. Everyone I have spoken to said they would visit Camden Park a whole lot more if they didn't have to pay the full admission price. I challenge everyone to contact Camden Park and ask them to give the people a choice!
  • Posted By: to gay question: god is not a cruel and unfair god.we all have our faults.is homosuxality a bigger sin than adultry,pornography,lying,stealing, and the list goes on.the clue to these behaviors is wanting to make our lives better.we cant blame anyone but ourselves for what we do.if anyone doesnt change its what they want to do.but as long as it doesnt affect me thats between you and god.but it is wrong,just as cheating on your spouse is sin.would we tell the adulterer that its not sin and not to try being a better person,i think not.celibacy would be better than the same old behavior.these have been struggle since creation.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Losing your religion Jane Doe? What happened to "turn the other cheek"? I do hope your little girl is ok. I have children of my own, I know how precious they are. But next time you read of someone else being "furious" or commenting on their personal issues, maybe you should keep your bible quotes to yourself.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: I recently went with my church and my family to Camden Park this past weekend. Me and my 6 year old daughter rode the Spider, We thought it was going to be lots of fun, we were wrong! It was a nightmare! It went on for 10 minutes and was going way too fast! My daughter was terrified and was screaming! I was furious when the man that helped us off asked if she was okay and I said what do you think and he laughed!! I have rode this ride for many years and loved it, But this time I could tell it was different! But then it gets worse, A friend of mine that stayed at the park longer than us informed me that after we left, The spider closed down and said they had crossed wires and the ride was malfunctioning!!! My daughter can't hardly walk today and has a four inch bruise down her back! I'm taking her to the doctor in the morning. If there is something seriously wrong, I will be speaking to the owner and this situation will be takin care of!!!!!
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