April 2009 Archives

Chief Ronald Ricuicci told the council that the city is following the swine flu threat and has a plan in case of "an event." They have a Continuity of Operations Plan (COUP) for the city which the chief and city manager have reviewed.

So, does anyone else think naming the city's crisis plan a COUP unfortunate?

Anyway, the chief assured everyone at the start of the April 27th city council meeting that they are monitoring the situation, will keep the council informed, post information on the city web site, and update that information as events progress. In addition, for their own safety, the council will be placed in protective custody and the police chief will be running things until further notice.

But, it never happens like that. After all, the council are kindly folk who don't don't want to threaten people' s jobs or take away city services.

The city budget is driving us to drink. And, since Happy Hour starts in a few minutes, this posting will be brief.

The next time the city manager describes how the budget shortfall, flat income tax revenue, simultaneously rising and falling property taxes, highway user fees, municipal bonds, and staff health insurance relate to one another, will someone PLEASE stop the Mayor from explaining what she meant? As stalwart as His Honor is, that guy can fold and refold sentences like Your Gilbert trying to remember how to make an origami swan.

Yes, Dear Readers, once again it is time to review the city manager's annual budget, and once again Your Gilbert wants to crawl under the couch with a nice soft blankie.

When you lose your job and can't buy food for your children or pay your rent, what is it you need most?

Why, you need to feel GOOD about yourself and your community identity, that's what! So, that's why the council majority voted April 6 to proceed with plans to spend $67,000 erecting genteel "gateway" signage.

The Takoma Park City Council made the surprise announcement that most of the councilmembers have recently acquired extraordinary powers and were forming a league of super heroes.

Mayor Bruce "Captain Takoma" Williams made the announcement at the special work session April 1. He introduced each councilmember present by his super-hero nomenclature and a brief description of his new power: Doug "Neatman" Barry (ability to clean up neighborhoods with a blast of his super-breath), Dan "Enviroman" Robinson (shrinks carbon footprints with his Frostovision), and Reuben "Snipperman" Snipper (able to cut red tape with his new scissor-bladed appendages), and Terry "The Suit" Seamens (supermodel). Councilmember Colleen Clay said she needed no additional special powers or name - "I'm already a mom!"