Mention the word “budget” and my eyes begin to glaze over.   What we spend now, what we spent in the past, what we think we will spend in the future-nothing about any of that is very exciting or engaging.  In the city manager’s office, budget is always on the “to do” list.  John could use a separate desk for his budget planning since it is something he works on all year round.   We can help.

To smoke or not to smoke, that is not the question.  Lucky for me, I struggled with asthma as a young child and teen, so being around smoke was something I avoided and was never tempted to try for myself.  The question for me as a city council member is whether to support a city ordinance that bans smoking in all public places. 

The first realization I had upon becoming a city council member was that money is tight.  There is pressure to not raise the mill levy.  Health insurance, salaries, fuel, emergency services—none of these ever decrease in cost.  Where does the money for special projects, ideas and innovations come from?  From a little talked about pot of money created by a permanent ½ cent sales tax.