Dec. 17, 2010
City Bits & Pieces: Mayor’s Open House
Occupation Tax and Succession
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – For those temporarily snow bound , here are a few city government thoughts to ponder over eggnog and new fallen snow.
First, a reminder, Mayor Kim Wolfe and his wife, Debbie, will host their annual open house, Tuesday, December 21 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at 1120 13th Avenue. Nibble on snacks, get a pic with the Mayor, and expect a visit from Santa, who considering the current covering, should have a sleighing from the North Pole. Now, a few thoughts for chewing as 2011 lingers
1. Who will replace Jim Insco, as council chairman? Will it be co-chairman Mark Bates? If so, who will take over as the vice chairperson?
2. With Jim not in the chairman chair, can we anticipate that he offers more rigorous opinions on a more frequent basis?
3. Do entities that qualify for enterprise fund treatment remain part of the city? If so, do they have a responsibility to enforce the residency requirement?
4. Just how long will the occupation tax remain in limbo? Did the Home Rule Committee --- and any number of stakeholders --- make a calculated gamble that Governor Manchin’s conversion to Senator Manchin would sufficiently muddy the waters? The city’s expert says “yes” on the constitutional question, but Acting Governor Tomlin has at least two appointments to the board. Do we have any inkling where Tomlin leans on this most controversial aspect of home rule?
5. For that matter, the Governor of WV has at least three single spaced pages of “appointments” to boards and committees. The succession process is also on the table for either a legislative tune up or a judiciary look see. How many appointees will feel comfortable and how many state agencies will have a smooth leadership segue , not once (Tomlin), twice (special election) and three times (2012 election)?
6. Anyone noticed (or is it the weather?), that the re-opening of the Funnybone Comedy Club at Pullman Square has returned a higher mix of adults to the late night weekend mix?
7. When will similar advancing forensic technologies that has a man awaiting trial as the infamous mall rapist shed new perspectives on the Leah Hickman, Charleston Avenue quadruple killings, and other open, yet unsolved headline crimes?
8. Did the Man Upstairs laugh when the City of Huntington voted against purchasing salt spreaders? How many citizens realize that one of the reasons for the turn down related to improperly storing the old ones outside in the weather , rather, than protected from the elements?
9. Since admittedly the current fiscal 2010-2011 budget was carved without the inclusion of revenues from an occupation tax or city sales tax, how will council handle next year’s budget? If the home rule taxes are still in “limbo,” the city’s home rule authority will by then expire in a little over a year.
10. Why is the EPA so concerned with current storm water runoff contaminants, yet have little curiosity about the contents of 20th Century overflows that may have contained waste from the Department of Energy?
11. Do you know anyone who voluntarily opts for a strategy that adds taxes pre-annexation? Think film tax credits, dudes. What do they receive for early annexation?
12. Since a snowy winter may be in the offing, how would the floodwall fare if it rained for forty days and forty nights? There are city challenge rubrics for your consideration. Open discussion welcome.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
City Bits & Pieces: Mayor’s Open House
Occupation Tax and Succession
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – For those temporarily snow bound , here are a few city government thoughts to ponder over eggnog and new fallen snow.
First, a reminder, Mayor Kim Wolfe and his wife, Debbie, will host their annual open house, Tuesday, December 21 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at 1120 13th Avenue. Nibble on snacks, get a pic with the Mayor, and expect a visit from Santa, who considering the current covering, should have a sleighing from the North Pole. Now, a few thoughts for chewing as 2011 lingers
1. Who will replace Jim Insco, as council chairman? Will it be co-chairman Mark Bates? If so, who will take over as the vice chairperson?
2. With Jim not in the chairman chair, can we anticipate that he offers more rigorous opinions on a more frequent basis?
3. Do entities that qualify for enterprise fund treatment remain part of the city? If so, do they have a responsibility to enforce the residency requirement?
4. Just how long will the occupation tax remain in limbo? Did the Home Rule Committee --- and any number of stakeholders --- make a calculated gamble that Governor Manchin’s conversion to Senator Manchin would sufficiently muddy the waters? The city’s expert says “yes” on the constitutional question, but Acting Governor Tomlin has at least two appointments to the board. Do we have any inkling where Tomlin leans on this most controversial aspect of home rule?
5. For that matter, the Governor of WV has at least three single spaced pages of “appointments” to boards and committees. The succession process is also on the table for either a legislative tune up or a judiciary look see. How many appointees will feel comfortable and how many state agencies will have a smooth leadership segue , not once (Tomlin), twice (special election) and three times (2012 election)?
6. Anyone noticed (or is it the weather?), that the re-opening of the Funnybone Comedy Club at Pullman Square has returned a higher mix of adults to the late night weekend mix?
7. When will similar advancing forensic technologies that has a man awaiting trial as the infamous mall rapist shed new perspectives on the Leah Hickman, Charleston Avenue quadruple killings, and other open, yet unsolved headline crimes?
8. Did the Man Upstairs laugh when the City of Huntington voted against purchasing salt spreaders? How many citizens realize that one of the reasons for the turn down related to improperly storing the old ones outside in the weather , rather, than protected from the elements?
9. Since admittedly the current fiscal 2010-2011 budget was carved without the inclusion of revenues from an occupation tax or city sales tax, how will council handle next year’s budget? If the home rule taxes are still in “limbo,” the city’s home rule authority will by then expire in a little over a year.
10. Why is the EPA so concerned with current storm water runoff contaminants, yet have little curiosity about the contents of 20th Century overflows that may have contained waste from the Department of Energy?
11. Do you know anyone who voluntarily opts for a strategy that adds taxes pre-annexation? Think film tax credits, dudes. What do they receive for early annexation?
12. Since a snowy winter may be in the offing, how would the floodwall fare if it rained for forty days and forty nights? There are city challenge rubrics for your consideration. Open discussion welcome.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
