Laurel, DE VS. Porta-potties

The code violations officer in Laurel, DE, told the five people who had portable toilets on their property to remove them. Two of them were not at home so he left a note and then called the vendors to remove them.

At the next Laurel City Council meeting, those two people came to complain. Their argument was that they used the portable toilet on their properties, one for 18+ years, when they open their swimming pool and one for 12 years. The other three people did not voice any complaints at the meeting.

The logic cited by one person was that the Town uses portable at is Fourth of July celebration, which draws thousands of people, so why not me. Not a very convincing argument. The second person wanted to know why for 12 years the portable toilet was OK and now it is a violation? Mush better response.

Both parties were upset and thought the Code Officer overstepped his authority in ordering the vendors to remove the toilets. This might be so.

It is amazing that in the 21 Century an issue like this making news. Of course any action on this issue was tabled by the Council, they were kind of blindsided, and did not want to make a decision.

Observations by Fred Sponseller

Credit Unions

CREDIT UNION LENDING: In a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing on credit union lending, NAR urged lawmakers to pass S. 509, the “Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2011,” introduced by Sen. Udall (D-CO). This bill would increase the cap on member business lending from 12.25% of total assets to 27.5% of total assets for well-capitalized credit unions. This will increase access to credit for NAR’s commercial membership.

Lets upset the Apple Cart

Congressional Reform Act of 2011

1.. Term Limits. 12 years only, one of the possible options below..
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms

2.. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
3.. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.

4.. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

5.. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise or fall by the lower of CPI or 3%.
6.. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
7.. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

8.. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.

Truth

“It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.” John Locke “Truth is sometimes difficult to be communicated without bias.” Fred Sponseller

Education

“Education begins a gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him.” John Locke “Education creates a foundation and opens some doors, but experience fashions the structure.” Fred Sponseller

Success

“How success changes the opinion of men!” Maria Edgeworth “Everyone wants to be on the winning side, however, success without honor is hollow.” Fred Sponseller

Facts

“ An orator is the worst person to tell a plain fact.” Maria Edgeworth “An exception might be A. Lincoln, an extremely rare orator.” Fred Sponseller

Not Sure

Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be true.” Marcus Aurelius “Sometimes things spin out of control and I would hate to think the end result is as it should be, instead of best intentions gone wrong.” Fred Sponseller