Take 2. I got lost in the shuffle last
week (aka – Marshall forgot me; gotta get my digs in where I can).
*Ed. note: guilty as charged
*Ed. note: guilty as charged
My weather report for the week: Now,
everyone sing with me! “You turn the heat off, you turn the heat
on, you turn the heat off and you shake it all about. You do the
Hokey-Pokey and you turn the A/C on! That’s what it’s all
about!”
I’m finally starting to get my NEWS
back! It doesn’t look like I’m missed a whole lot though.
Newton Citizen finally came through
for me. (For those that don’t know, my checking account and credit
card got swiped – thankfully none of our joint accounts were
touched) The Newton Citizen even hand-addressed a back copy to help
me get back up to snuff! (Thank you Ms. Mary!) My Epoch Times is
back on track. It’s a little bit pricey, but worth it. I can
justify the price because my TIME magazine won’t be renewed. I
read about 3 pages; the rest is -way- too far right for me to
stomach. The Smithsonian is going away too, but for different
reasons. There might be 2 or 3 good articles, and the rest is all
advertisements. I hate to say it, but my National Geographic is
starting to head the same way. I’ve been getting Nat Geo since I
was 12, but I want -real- articles, not just snippets between ads.
Saving on those covers my Epoch, so the pots right. Television?!?
Ha! Too much “He said, she said” Covid-19 bologna. When I feel
like watching something on a screen I’m relegated to Steve Harvey
“Family Feud” re-runs on YouTube and “Tim the Tool Man Taylor”
on Laff TV (every night at 9:00, 2-3). Oh, and can’t forget those
FB videos. Another fun one is YouTube movies! You can rent for
$1.99-$3.99, get them for 48 hours, never have pick up or return (I’m
sure I’m not the only one that’s been frustrated using Red Box
because the one movie I’d like to see is not available yet or sold
out).
I’ve read that there’s drive-thru
testing for Covid-19 available at the Georgia Horse Park. There’s
a site -somewhere- in Covington, too. I’m confused, though. If
you test positive, you’ve got it. If you test negative you’ve
either already had it or haven’t had it yet. What does this help,
except to continue to skew statistics? I’m pretty sure my husband
and I have already had it. Him first, then me 2 weeks later. I
remember being up all night then telling him in the morning,
exhausted, that I spent the night “sipping” air. We’re both
fine now.
Opening up businesses is another
confusing one. No, it’s not mandatory. Completely voluntary,
opening and attending – but -why- do restaurants that plan to
continue curb-side only meals lose off-premise alcohol consumption
sales? (Per the 4/25/20 Newton Citizen) Sorry, I gotta have a
Margarita with my Mexican food. If they decide to continue
curb-side, and I respect their right to do so, why do they lose the
right to serve those Margarita’s with the meal? Just ain’t
right, folks. It just ain’t right.
It’s with sadness that I learned
Newton County Juvenile Court Judge Roberts, 4 days before her
retirement, passed away. From the accolades I’ve read, she well
earned her retirement. At first I was relieved never to have met
her. I got to know Judge Waters -way- too well when I had teenagers.
He was wonderful, but I never want to relive those experiences. My
condolences go out to the family and entire county for the loss of
one so devoted to all of us.
Here’s a -good- one! “Covington
Downtown Development Authority (DDA) approved 47 grant applications
for small businesses in the Central Business District at its April 16
meeting” with grants not to exceed $2,000. Have any of these
yo-yos ever run a business? It’s an honest question, because
$2,000 is a drop in the bucket. Taxes, insurance, inventory,
rent/mortgage, utilities, paychecks… IMHO this is a -JOKE-! I can
only imagine the application process and who actually gets approved.
I try so hard to stay positive, but
sometimes I just can’t help myself.
Another good one. The County
Commissioners are encouraging us to continue to shelter in place.
Okay. No problem there. Herein lies my gripe: “However, Banes
said most county offices would continue to be closed for at least
another two weeks and employees would continue to telecommute. All
five commissioners agreed with the chairman and supported efforts to
continue social distancing.” Well, folks, it looks like business
as usual. I’ve -never- received a response from a commissioner,
the tax commissioner’s office or the tax assessor when I called.
Does the GPS office even exist? Planning and Zoning is another
elusive creature. Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate most of our
county employees, but there are quite a few, usually the “higher-up,”
that are “lacking” for want of a better word. When I go into an
office I usually -do- get help, but those visits are few and far
between – assuming I can find them.
The Covington City Council approved
power rate increases. Surprised? We’ve seen this coming for a
while. What I would like is a more comprehensive review of what
rates are being paid by whom, and where the money is going. For some
reason I see the city milking this, city residents paying more, and
big business paying less. I’d also like to know just how much goes
to Plant Vogtle and how much is eaten up in “administration fees”
by the city and MEAG.
One last headline that caught my eye.
“Newton County officials assured illegal bonuses will be repaid.”
Now, Newton County Recreation Department can cut a check to the
county for $28,500, employees will have 12 months to repay their part
to the Rec. Department, but -where- is the money coming from to repay
the county? Inquiring minds -want- to -know-! I have to wonder if
this is just another example of a “use it or lose it” budget.
And you can’t justify budget increases if the last budget not all
used. Sounds like our school system to me, and yet another
white-wash.
That’s it from me for this week (and
last). Social distance. Get in touch with friends and relatives.
Take time to smell, and -enjoy- the roses! My flowers are more
fragrant than me – I wish you the same. Enjoy the slumming in
place. Oops, I meant sheltering. This too shall pass. Enjoy it
while we got it.
TPC Chief Staff Writer, Correspondent & Contributing Writer
Bess Tuggle
A jack of all trades, Ms. Tuggle has been a Covington resident since the late 70’s. She's been a K-Mart cashier, cabinet builder, vet tech, office manager for a beef cattle ranch and water well company (where she was able to hold benefits for D.A.R.E. and Scouts), a court reporter, business manager, assistant at a private investigation firm, legal assistant, convenience store clerk, landscaper and elementary school substitute teacher. Her greatest pleasure is being a wife, mother and grandmother. Her stories are all real, and all names will be withheld to protect the innocent, and also maybe the guilty, depending on the crime & the Statute of Limitations.
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