Jordan Independent - County Politics - Comments

He grills up a mean

westender73 — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:00:03 -0500

He grills up a mean cheeseburger ;-D

I know who is on the board.

swansonmej — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:50:06 -0500

I know who is on the board. I am contacting them on a regular basis asking them to support or not support certain issues. I have met all five people on the board.

As the population in the county grows, it is even more important that we pay attention to the issues under consideration by our County Board.

Who is on the county board

Mathias Baden — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:52:30 -0500

Who is on the county board anyway? Have you ever wondered? Click here: http://www.co.scott.mn.us/wps/portal/ShowPage?CSF=937.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

I am guessing the reason for

Jason Allen — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:44:22 -0500

I am guessing the reason for the low votes is this.....

Most people in Scott County don't even have a clue who is on the board, what they do, and why they do it.

I would love to see how many people can actually tell you the names of the members on the board, WITHOUT looking them up. I never knew them until I started working for the county.

Five votes have been cast

Mathias Baden — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:56:15 -0500

Five votes have been cast for 1, up to this point. That's an eye opener. So what's behind such a low vote?

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

Spell check wasn't invented

Mathias Baden — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:19:09 -0500

Spell check wasn't invented for the Internet. Don't worry about it.

You make some good points. And increasing revenues in other ways than taxes ought to be an option, shouldn't it?

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

just a clarification. That

kem390 — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:09:46 -0500

just a clarification. That would be Dem Govenor or a Democratic comedian to the Senate to represent Minnesota. I should wait till the wife is home so I have someone to spell check and proof read. One of the downfalls of being 47 and surviving 2 kids the mind and fingers dont always work together.

we are least agreeable on

kem390 — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:35:19 -0500

we are least agreeable on one thing from the start. I too pay my fair share of taxes though I must admit I dont jump for joy everytime I do. Being this is not an election year for our legislature. They seem to have forgotten what they promised durign their campaigns, which was fiscal responsability. But then again maybe they didnt forget, maybe they just neglected to tell you that the way they would do it is by more taxes and bigger government. Maybe now is the time to take a closer look at the racino?a puposal brought up in part by Rep Buesgens It at least allows a person to help with the budget by allowing them to do something they enjoy doing. I mean they are already going to the casinos and spending money why not tap into that resource. If you think taxes are bad now just wait. If we were to elect a Dem Gov Especially a comedian. I believe the state of this state would become a real joke. We need to have the checks and balances or the one party rule would run amok.

Kem390, I think we agree on

Mathias Baden — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:00:54 -0500

Kem390, I think we agree on that. I'm not in favor of high taxes, but I happily pay my taxes and I do see a need for increased funding for roads. To me, the issue comes down to a matter of priorities at the state level, not whether or not there will be food on the table. There are ways for taxes to decrease or stay steady and for roads to be repaired -- it's just, what do we want to give up to make that happen. If that's what we want at all.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

Mr Baden what you determine

kem390 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:38:07 -0500

Mr Baden

what you determine to be " Good things" is not necessarily another mans good things and does not make one mans good thing anymore important or right than another mans good things.Therefore in my opinion putting food on the table and paying my mortgage is in fact a Good thing that I feel needs to be funded. But thats just my way of thinking. With the cost of fuel sky rocketing we wont need to worry about funding the repair of roads because only the fat cats will be able to afford to drive.OK a little over exaggerated I will admit. But all the while something has to give. Since we need to drive to make the money to afford the necessities of life we will cut spending in other areas which in turns means less people are buying and less people are needed to supply the items we can no longer afford. So at this point Mr Baden I believe that keeping my money in my pocket and putting food on the table is a "good thing" that warrants funding. Sorry but the tax in creases are gonna have to wait.

Let's not read into what

Mathias Baden — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:07:55 -0500

Let's not read into what shawmic is saying. What is sounds like to me is that the writer's opinion is that maybe the state legislature should stand on its own laurels. It does not need county approval to raise taxes, but shawnmic said it is unfortunate that state officials decided to let the counties veto the idea if they so choose.

I would disagree with swansonmej's statement that taxes only benefit the core Twin Cities. More money for roads does often benefit Scott County drivers, many of whom work outside of the county or somewhere else where a state highway offers the best route. Also, so much of our livelihood is dependent on truck-delivered goods that spending money for roads that work are necessary.

Shawmic also stated that government spending can help the economy. We have all suffered under a slowing economy, so it's not really an effective argument to assume that anyone who thinks taxes ought to be increased in a certain area is not going through pains to make ends meet. Or to argue that only a person who isn't pinching pennies would be in favor of tax increase on everyone else. In fact, those who are spending more money are the ones who pay more of this proposed tax. If you don't want to pay more taxes, complete fewer sales.

However, kem390, your allusion to flagrant state spending doesn't go lost on me. As state Rep. Mark Buesgens has been saying recently in his e-mail newsletters, speeches on the House floor, and columns in local newspapers, there are areas of the state budget that can be cut. This is true. What area of spending to cut is debateable.

And, swansonmej, you're right. Most of the people you elect say they will listen to you. We would be misguided to think that they ought not to follow through with that promise. Even if the public says they don't want to give more money to do good things, that's the public's perogative.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

You might want to move that

kem390 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:46:22 -0500

You might want to move that big ole penny for a sec and take a look at all the others taxes the Democrats are trying to swamp us with. Since it appears you arent hurting like most are maybe you should opt to take on the extra taxes from someone who is stuggling to make ends meet.Heck I am sure if you stopped by any local government office in Hennepin county and told them you have plenty and want to share they would be more than happy to let you contribute to the ball park.

It is nice that our Scott

swansonmej — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:36:54 -0500

It is nice that our Scott County Commissioners have the opportunity to vote down a tax that will only benefit the core of the metro area (Minneapolis and St. Paul). The money for roads will go to the freeways and such rather than to the roads within Scott County that need attention.

The MN Legislature passed a measure that will raise our taxes considerably. At a time when we are all hit by higher prices on everything from food to gas for our cars, I appreciate our County Commissioners holding the line on taxes on my behalf.

It is refreshing that our county leaders are listening to the people rather than the politicians in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

It's too bad that our Scott

shawmic — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:21:09 -0500

It's too bad that our Scott County Commissioners are given a chance to vote away the sales tax increase proposed by state government.
We are talking about a 1/4 of 1 percent that equates to one penny on a $4.00 purchase.
A $40 purchase would cost an extra dime or $.10 and spending $400 an extra one dollar.
We know that when these taxes are collected by the state and spent on our roads, bridges and other transportation expenses, several jobs are created, materials used and wages earned by taxpayers.
It may be popular to take a position of holding the line on taxes but when you hold the penny too close to your eye, you won't see the quarter behind it!

"... there’s a good chance

Mathias Baden — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:11:52 -0500

"... there’s a good chance you won’t be paying extra in Scott County. Scott County commissioners indicate they are unlikely to impose a 0.25 percent metropolitan sales tax ...," according to the story above.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)