Sunday, December 30, 2007

Monday, December 24, 2007

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Just To Let You Know...


Fire doesn't Bitch about everything.

Kudos to Central Services for getting thru this ice storm. Quincy streets are looking mighty fine.

Good Job !

Thursday, December 06, 2007

$25,000 and counting....


The firefighters have been paid a total of about $25,000 since they were placed on administrative leave in mid-October while city officials investigated alleged violations of policies and misuse of equipment.

Charlie Doan told WGEM News last week that commissioners hoped to arrive at a decision by Christmas.



This Year ?

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Do I look Busy?


If it ain’t enough to have 3 public employees on paid retreat pending a post-holiday investigation, now we have a front page story on three more employees tooting their horns acting like they did something..

First, let me define a few words for everyone:

Loophole, in Law, is a weakness or exception that allows the law to be circumvented or otherwise legally avoided by some means. Loopholes are searched for and used in a variety of circumstances, including taxes, politics, and criminal justice.

Law is a system of rules usually enforced through a set of institutions. Law affects everyday life and society in a variety of ways.

Local ordinance is a law usually found in a municipal code. In the United States, these laws are enforced locally in addition to state law and Federal law.

Now on to my point.

For those of you playing at home, the Smoke Free Illinois Code starts on page 222. This was released Oct. 7, 2007.

Where the hell is this “loophole”? It CLEARLY states in there that:

A proprietor may designate an area as an outdoor patio where smoking is

Permitted…..

“"Outdoor patio" means an area that is either: enclosed by a roof or other overhead covering and walls or side coverings on not more than two sides; or has no roof or other overhead coverings regardless of the number of walls, fence or other side coverings. This includes, but is not limited to, beer gardens or other outdoor seating.

How can something that is undoubtedly spelled out be a “loophole”?

It also states as far as drafting a “local ordinance”:

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULES

a) Any home rule unit of local government, any non-home rule municipality, or any

non-home rule county within the unincorporated territory of the county may

regulate smoking in public places, but that regulation must be no less restrictive

than the Act and this Part.

Which means: You can add to it and make it stricter but not take away anything defined in the act.

So pretty much what your saying is that your gonna cut & paste from the Smoke Free act, like I have, and make it a local ordinance? In addition, the “new” ordinance would require bar owners to obtain a special "Class H" license to have a beer garden. What make-a-buck-Chuck and his panel failed to disclose is this license will cost each and every beer garden owner $50 a year.

Meanwhile at Baldwin Field sits a 40,000 sq. ft. empty building with a $398,280.14 defaulted loan on it. If you go out to look at it, be careful driving down Broadway and reading the Electronic Message Boards. You might get into a wreck.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Some Insight on Comcast...


Ran across this article while reading about Da' Bears.

Seems like we may not be taking a step up.....

Sunday, November 25, 2007

6 Seconds on Broadway


The Quincy Department of Planning and Development believes flashing electronic message boards clustered along city streets could pose a safety risk for motorists.

Really?

"It's simply a matter of addressing what I see as a potential problem down the road," City Planner Chuck Bevelheimer said. "I don't want to wait until it becomes a problem."

With all the future vision this city has for Planning and Development, this makes the front page as your biggest concern?

Apparently no one from the P&D was out on “Black Friday” to see the “smooth” flow of traffic on Broadway. I made the mistake of taking Broadway back from I-72 Friday and was stuck in traffic from approx. from 40th to 30th. It took over eight minutes to make it this distance. If they are concerned about flashing message boards here, I could have read War and Peace while waiting for the lights to change. OK, maybe just the ads for Friday.

I guess this must not be a problem.

If I were to dish out $40K for a EMB, the last thing I want to see is the city police stopping by and telling me that my message lasted 6.32 seconds and write me a ticket.

Personally, I don’t think the Plan commission should waste their time with this one. Let the businesses decide what they put on their signs. If the message is too long, I generally don’t read them.

Most of my time on Broadway is watching the cars around me with the people driving, yacking on the cell phone and weaving in the lanes like they are doing a tire cornering test for Goodyear.

Focus on the current problems please.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Hump Day...

Few thoughts for today:

  • Three city employees (all women) released form the city.

  • Three Fire dept employees (all men) sitting on the fence pending committees verdict.


Hope the Mayor is correct in saying they have a strong case. If not, the city could be looking at some high $$ court cases.


More thoughts:

  • There are 4 legal eagles on the payroll for the city.

  • We fly in a hired gun to take care of this personal issue.

Kinda like having 4 snow blowers sitting in your garage and when it snows, pay the neighbor kid to shovel your drive…….



Final Thoughts:

  • Employers can be liable for employees' misuse of company e-mail

  • Sexual, racial, and other forms of harassment can be done by e-mail

  • Too much time wasted surfing the World Wide Web

Monitoring employees' use of company computers, e-mail, and the Internet involve the same basic issues as come into play with general searches at work, telephone monitoring, and video surveillance. Those basic issues revolve around letting employees know that as far as work is concerned, they have no expectation of privacy in their use of company premises, facilities, or resources, and they are subject to monitoring at all times. Naturally, reason and common sense supply some understandable limitations, such as no video cameras in employee restrooms, and no forced searches of someone's clothing or body, but beyond that, almost anything is possible in the areas of searches and monitoring. They have the right to inspect an employee's computer, HD, floppy disks, and other media at any time.


Scary Huh ??


Monday, November 12, 2007

New MNF Low....


Got to be kidding me.


A halftime interview with 2 NASCAR weenies.


ESPN has their head up their tailpipes.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007


City Investigation
Six Quincy city employees have
been put on leave pending an investigation.


Paid leave I'd bet

Several reliable sources have confirmed
the investigation to WGEM news.

( are they
Anonymous sources?
Anon is
Weak)

The sources tell us three of the
suspended staff are on the Quincy Fire
Department--that includes an
assistant fire chief and two lieutenants.

The investigation reportedly involves improper use of city equipment and violations of city policy.

( there's a policy ??)

Quincy Mayor John Spring told WGEM News that an investigation is underway into personnel issues regarding city employees, but he had no further comment. The mayor says such matters are handled by the city's human resource department.

He told WGEM News he would be the only official source handling the release of personnel policy issues.




(Translation: I tell you what I want you to know.)

Thursday, October 18, 2007

New Invention !


I found a new product the other day that would save money on electricity cost.

It called a Photo-eye.


It automatically activates and turns lights on at dusk and turns them off at dawn.

No seasonal adjustments needed.

Not affected by daylight savings time.

Maybe someone from Central Services could swing by the Amtrak station and install one so the lights at the Station and in the Parking lot are not on at noon.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

How Many Carrots Does It Take ?




  • City financed improvements to the tune of +$600,000
  • Real Estate tax abatements for up to 5 years. - ($471,000 X 5 Years= $2,355,000)
  • Exempt from city and state sales taxes for building materials.
  • 50% discount on building permits.

.....for 55 - $300,000 condos ???

Thursday, October 11, 2007

BEARS / RAMS= ln( (1+(1+z 2) )/z ) = ????

Ya think someone over at WGEM/FOX/QNI could give the public some indication of what formula is used to which games are going to be on come Sunday ????

I was told last year that the games would alternate when both teams played at the same time.

Two weeks ago BEARS and RAMS played at the same time. FOX/WGEM carried the RAMS on TV. The local radio stations were carrying the CARDS, CUBS, and the RAMS. Closest radio station with BEARS radio was a station out of Iowa.

Last week, BEARS played on Sunday night, so that week should not count.

This week, the BEARS and RAMS both play at noon and WGEM/FOX has the Rams listed on the TV Guide at noon.....

WHAT GIVES ???

Central State Tap


10/09/2007 Order Of Possession filed.

It is ordered that Central State Bank's Motion For Possession is granted, the Court awards immediate posses- sion of the subject property to Central State Bank. Order filed. Cause continued until October 30, 2007 at 1:00 pm for entry of formal order and status.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

A rare Apology and Delete....

In the previous post (now deleted) I was simply asking what happened to a local blog that just disappeared from existence.

I had no knowledge of anything happening , was just asking what happened to it. So many Blogs pop up, go like hell, and then usually hang around without adding anything for months, but stay up. ( hint, hint fellow bloggers)

This one just vanished.

I enjoyed reading it and had added it to the links and thats when I found out that it was gone.

After reading some of the comments left here, I can assume something may have happened that I do not care for me or this Blog to be involved in.

I started this Blog for "poops and giggles" and enjoy everyones comments on current posts, but reserve the right to delete posts and comments if it gets personal.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Who Won ??


Looks like a win but article says they lost?



QNDHW make a mistake here?

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Deal or No Deal.......


$750,000 for a single owner of a 240 room motel or.......

$2,500,000 for a partnership of a bar with a few windows.


Hummmmmm....................

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Bidding will end for this item.


(Reserve Not Realistic)

Bar in Quincy Illinois for Partneship Investment

7 brand new energy efficient airconditioners
5 brand new energy effecient heaters

(will require payment to local power company to operate)

all licsences included with partnership as in liquer zoning and ect

( will require re-instatement from ILL liquor commissioner)

2nd and 3rd floor can be converted to health and fitness center and loft apartments

( will need to install windows currently missing for climate control)

One of largest nightclub in 3 states

(state of inebriation, state of insanity, and state of disbelief)

this building is also a tourest attraction

( from an eyesore point of view)


Yes UMR, I did cut and paste...

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Newborns


Looks like WGEM is sprouting up blogs faster than the speed of smell.

In addition to Storm Trak, Blog Gough, and Nora's, they have now added Sports Stew and City Desk. ( I see some copyright infringements here Tookie!)

I think it is a much more interactive, positive and updated approach to being more interactive with the public.

Time will tell.

(Still working on Bob's comment that Anonymity is weak.)

Sunday, September 23, 2007

GO CUBS GO !!!!


Baseball season's underway
Well you better get ready for a brand new day.

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They're singing ...
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well this is the year and Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field

We're singing now ...

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So stamp you feet and clap your hands
Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans.

You're singing now ...

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Wild Fire Weekend


I got nuttin' this weekend.

Maybe you can fire up some comments and get something started.

Added Provine Blog and 2 X's Mad as Hell to the list of links.

Visits rolled over 50,000 !
Woo-Hoo!

Monday, September 10, 2007

MONDAY NIGHT F***BALL

You might think I left out the "OOT" there.

Not necessarily.

I'm also NOT ready for some football if this is the way ESPN is going to present it.

What the hell has happened to MNF? Holy crap!

The F in MNF stands for football, not fun, frivolity or fluff.

This used to be the premier game of the week. Top teams from the schedule were picked out the best way possible and given an exclusive night. I remember when the schedules came out you would always look for how many times your team was on MNF for the season. The more times your team was on, the more bragging rights you had. Now when the schedule comes out, I pray that that my team is not playing at all.

Now we have Larry, Curly and Smoe putting on what seems to be a combo of football, game show, sports show and late night talk show! Hell, there is so much crap going on, that the game seems to be something to show when the stooges run out of something to say.

Who the hell came up with the "guest" stopping by the booth and then the game cuts away to what and who ever comes next? They get so engulfed with the guest that they sometimes forget what they are actually there for.

Tony !! Take a hint. Shut the hell up! I would rather listen to me scream while I circumcise myself with a dull clamshell rather than hear your lips flap in the breeze. SHUT UP PLEASE !

And what is up with the "ask tony" segment? Here's a question Einstein, Who the hell died and made you an expert at answering questions? I could give a rats ass who asks you what and your silly ass answer is.

This trio is a joke. What was ESPN thinking when they slapped these idiots together? It's so bad that even if you mute the TV, you still can't watch the game because they are cutting in and out to focus on the guest, clips from their movie, highlights of their career, or cutting to the booth to get yet another shot of the jerks who are distracting you from watching the game.

I know Disney is the parent company of ESPN and ABC, but couldn't you put on a better program than this Mickey Mouse show you have going on here ?

Thursday, September 06, 2007

What's wrong with this picture ?

Authorities have arrested a Chandler police officer in the death of a police dog that was left in a hot patrol car for more than twelve hours. Chandler police Sergeant Tom Lovejoy was booked into Maricopa County jail in Phoenix on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty after a two-week investigation into the death of five-year-old Belgian Malinois "Bandit." Story

No charges will be filed against a middle school administrator whose toddler daughter died last month when she was left in the back seat of her mother's SUV during a heat wave, a prosecutor said today.

Leaving the child in the car for the work day was “a substantial lapse of due care” but did not meet the definition of reckless conduct necessary for prosecution, said Clermont County Prosecutor Don White. Story

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

More Score and seven days ago......


Another Front page bragging article for QND in the QNDHW.

A private school has better ACT scores than a public school...

DUH !!!!

Damned well better have !!!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Keeping Score....



Page 1B: Sports, Front Page

Middle, Center.

QND Seniors cruise past QHS Freshman


Page 4B: Sports

Top, Left

QHS Sweeps QND 8-0

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Quincy School Board additions...


The Quincy School Board announced today that during the QHS football games this year that if the team makes it over the 50 yd line, that will count as a score.

In addition, any play that is run and results in negative yardage, the team will be allowed to run it again without any loss of down.

After all, "we need to work with them to make sure they succeed."

Friday, August 17, 2007

What's Wrong with Our Schools?

Got this in an email a while back and think it has some truth to it:


Scenario: Jack goes duck hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.

1973 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his to show Jack.

2006 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.

1973 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends. Nobody goes to jail, nobody arrested, nobody expelled.

2006 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1973 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by Principal. Sits still in class.

2006 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping.

1973 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2006 - Billy's Dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their Dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1973 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2006 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.

1973 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.

2006 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.

1973 - Ants die.

2006 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1973 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2006 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.


What are your thoughts?


Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Fair and Balanced ???

I see by reading the Quincy Notre Dame Herald Whig that August must be Quincy High School Bashing Month.

  • Tort Fund
  • Grading Scale
  • Low ACT scores

What's next QNDHW ????

Update 8/16:

WGEM jumps on the QHS bashing bandwagon "

A former Quincy High basketball player is in custody of U.S. Marshals".....

Friday, August 03, 2007

It's Freakin' HOT !

















NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
610 AM CDT FRI AUG 3 2007


TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL BE INCREASING EARLY NEXT
WEEK. HEAT INDICES ARE FORECAST TO CLIMB INTO THE 100 TO 105
DEGREE RANGE SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...AND ITS POSSIBLE THAT THESE
HIGH LEVELS OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL LINGER INTO WEDNESDAY.

Stay Cool........

Monday, July 30, 2007

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Wild Fire Weekend


Too damned busy to type anything here.

My employer has a nasty policy of wanting me to work while I'm there.

I'll Let you bring up the topics.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Panel endorses beer garden guidelines......Kinda


While the beer gardens would be allowed to remain open after 10 p.m., they would face closure for the rest of the day if two complaints for noise or other disturbances were made by neighbors.

City Planner Chuck Bevelheimer said he did not want to see police officers forced to carry decibel meters to measure noise. So part of the proposals that will go to the Quincy City Council for possible adoption as an ordinance that would give police officers discretion to order tavern owners to address complaints from neighbors.

So....if you don't want the neighborhood beer garden in operation, dial in a disturbance call shortly when you get home at 5pm and then another one about an hour and a half later and the QPD will come shut down the garden.

Maybe there's more details to this but it seams pretty lame.........

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Help Wanted


Condom Tester

Australian over the age of 18.

Male or Female.

The position is not paid.

Successful applicants will receive a free $60 selection of Durex products and will be required to provide the company with honest feedback about the products' performance.

One of the lucky 200 testers will win a $1000 bonus.

Apply Here.

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Terror Alert


Following the events in London This week, the French government announced
yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from Run to Hide.

The only two higher levels in France are Surrender and Collaborate.
The Rise was precipitated by a recent fire which destroyed France's white
flag factory, effectively paralyzing their military.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Speaking of Wasting Money...


It's time to feed the cash cow.

First Property Tax Installment to the Adams County Collector is due 7/6.

Late payments will delay:

$1.3 Million HVAC work to the Crystal Palace, better known as City Hall.

$10,000 to teach two Officers on how to ride a motorcycle.

Gas for the 12 MPG QPD SUV to cruise the city streets.

New Hi-tech light light bars for the city patrol cars.

QMG appointments for healthy Firemen.



Please. Give till it hurts. Operators are standing by.......

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

What burns my ASS...


  • How long does it take to demolish the old RTD building out east Broadway? Ever heard of a wrecking ball?
  • Why does every vehicle that the Fire Dept. or QPD owns have to be dressed up like "Pimp My Ride"?
  • How many people in the city STILL don't know how to use the double left hand turn lanes in town?
  • Why during a murder, missing person, or other crime does the local law enforcement hold a press conference and then not answer any questions?
  • Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has spent $76,000 on taxpayer-financed flights between Chicago and Springfield since late May. Hell, for that price IDOT could have hired 2 gardeners for West Central Illinois.
  • How many rules and regulations can members of the city planning department, city administration, and city attorneys add to building a Beer Garden to make it totally impossible for bars to build one?
  • Wanted: Airport Manager. Qualifications: TBA. ( We'll pick out the best ones off your resume and later tell everyone that's what we were looking for.)
  • Ohio State law forbids public officials from hiring close relatives either full or part time or influencing their employment. Holy Crap ! Who do they hire? The best person qualified for the job?
  • Insight vs. Comcast vs. ATT - this can't be good news.
  • Sodium benzoate found in many soft drinks and various food products has been found to damage the mitochondria in DNA. Lesson here? Before committing a crime, slam down some Diet Cokes so no DNA shows up at the crime scene.
  • Chief of Police, Police Aldermanic Committee, Director of Administrative Services and Director of Purchasing recommending approval of the low proposal of Overhead Door of Quincy in the amount of $12,200 for a new overhead garage door. HOW BIG IS THE FREAKING DOOR ?? $12,000 ????
  • 1.3 million for HVAC work to city hall ? What does this figure out to, $550 per square foot?
  • The Quincy Park District will hold a customer appreciation day Sat June 23 ?? I didn't know I was a "customer"? Taxes for the Park District are included in my property taxes. Maybe I'll have to shop around for another Park District.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

My View of Politics


I had to snicker today as I seen by another local blog that this one was linked as a "deluted right wing fool blog". Personally I could care less what political party someone belongs to, they're both full of crap in my view.

I have returned the favor (without any personal opinion.)

Racism is defined as:

Any action, practice, or belief that reflects the racial worldview — the ideology that humans are divided into separate and exclusive biological entities called "races," that there is a causal link between inherited physical traits and traits of personality, intellect, morality, and other cultural behavioral features, and that some "races" are innately superior to others.

To be obsessed with branding someone "right wing' or "left wing" based on their view of the world is beyond my comprehension.

All views are welcome here.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

State Hires New Gardner

Jeff Jansen, the longtime executive director of the Oakley-Lindsay Center in Quincy, is scheduled to start a new job next week with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Jansen's title will be local agency liaison and safety outreach coordinator for IDOT's District 6. He will be in charge of working with small communities in search of beautification projects, grant writing and area right-of-way acquisition. He also will work with IDOT safety programs.

Mike Claffey, a spokesman for IDOT, confirmed that Jansen will start next week at an annual salary of $62,200. Claffey said the position exists elsewhere in the state but has not previously existed in West-Central Illinois.

The state job will give Jansen a chance to qualify for benefits under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. He was enrolled in IMRF during his time as an alderman and director of administrative services. But Jansen fell short of the eight years needed to get a pension.

Friday, May 25, 2007

You're FIRED !!!






















Rosie O'Donnell will not be back on "The View," ABC announced Friday, two days after she and co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck got into a huge political dust-up live on the talk show.

Who is sorry to see this happen....

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Seatbelts ?? Really....


You've probably heard of the Click it or ticket campaign, which targets drivers who don't wear their seat belts.

*This* year, officers plan to increase their patrol of *night-time* drivers.

Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Dorman Deeder says studies have shown that 60 percent of all fatalities that happen at night happen because drivers didn't buckle up.

So state police plan to pay *extra* attention to night-time drivers to help decrease that statistic.

Translation:

For fatal crashes occurring from midnight to 3:00 AM, 77 percent involved alcohol in 2003. The next most dangerous time period for alcohol-related crash deaths were 9 PM to midnight (64 percent of fatal crashes involved alcohol), followed by 3 AM to 6 AM (60 percent of fatal crashes involved alcohol). (NHTSA, 2004)

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Pain in the Gas


If the QHW is going to feed me a line of crap, there're gonna need a bigger spoon.

After reading Saturdays article on why the price of gas is going up in Quincy, it took me about 40 minutes and 2 cups of coffee to blow this story to shame. It's taking me longer to write and explain how I came to this conclusion.

First. Do you think a "convenience store director of operations" is going to tell you the truth ? First statement is there will be a "temporary interruption of fuel flow" then says "The Magellan pipelines are expected to be off line for as much as a month." Huh. What?

My comparison of this statement is a temporary interruption is that that your power will be restored after we fix this problem in an hour vs. the hurricane has torn out the entire power lines to the area and it will be days until the power is restored.

A quick search on Google with the Magellan statement turns up nothing.

Another search on Google for Magellan Pipelines turns up their company website. It shows that the pipeline runs from OK up to Chicago. OK hang with me here. The assets page shows the pipeline in detail.

The first terminal is in Columbia MO. A search of this so-called "gas outage" shows nothing. Next terminal is Palmyra MO. Next is Heyworth IL. Closest locations to this is Bloomington and Springfield IL. Another search shows no problem here either. Also shows that Bloomington gas prices are 10 cent cheaper than Quincy. Looking at SPFLD gas prices, they are also 10 to 15 cents cheaper too.

So....I do have some knowledge of how pipelines work and I know that a pipeline that runs through the Midwest runs THRU the Midwest. Cost would prohibit it from running from OK to Columbia, OK to Palmyra, OK to Heyworth. Keep up with me here. So if the the SAME pipeline feeds the Columbia, Palmyra, and Heyworth, How come they don't have the same supply problem WE do???

How come gas is cheaper in Bloomington and Springfield that runs thru the SAME gas line that feeds Palmyra in the same state with the same taxes ???

I do believe we are gettin' hosed at the pump.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Square One


Sheryl Crow believes using less toilet paper will stop global warming.

The If It Makes You Happy singer, who spent two weeks touring the US on a Stop Global Warming College Tour, is convinced one square per visit is sufficient.

Sheryl writes on her tour blog: "I propose a limitation to be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting. I think we are
industrious enough people to make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required."

Monday, April 09, 2007

Show Me the MONEY !!!


Tourism director Holly Cain says the event generates about $7 million for local businesses--more than any other event that comes to Quincy.

About. Ever take your wife to the doctor and have him say, "your wife is about pregnant"?

I have little doubt that the WFFC raises this kind of money for Quincy.

What I would like to see is some HARD FACTS !!!

No Estimates. FACTS ONLY PLEASE !!!

Here is the Airport info for Rantoul.
Here is Quincy.
 
Free Fire Pointer Orange MySpace Cursors at www.totallyfreecursors.com