the good, the bad, and the Tuna

Just a few things being talked about around town and in the Times. The woman whose 10-month-old son was burned to death in the SUV in February. Since the cause of the fire was the 5-year-old playing with a lighter, she should get time. Children are our most precious resource and should not be left alone at these ages for any reason. When we choose to become parents we also are responsible for the lives. This is a tragedy that could have been avoided by simply taking them in the store.

I believe Malin should not be supervising the legal department, if for no other reason than contract negotiations on his part. Seems like borderline conflict of interest to me. Quoting a Tom Saul article; Brooke said "Council supervision would be hap-hazard and ignorant." "Plus the council gets its way on major matters now." Seems like he has a handle on this situation.

The City web redo seems like an enhancement that should have been done before. I wish they would come up with ideas like this more often.

This whole employee re-alignment is crazy. All it seems they know is that the inspection department will be gone. How can they say they're saving money if they don't where the bumping will end. Will it end up being young people with families and a small paycheck that will be affected? By the time the city gets through with the severence packages, retraining of various people, and re-alignment of departments how much further in the hole will we be?

A lot of out-of-towners are saying they will no longer come to Davenport because of the speed cameras. Then we have the mobile speed camera, more fixed cameras on the way, $10 parking tickets downtown, retailers raising prices due to extra or exorborant taxes, sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Davenport is losing citizens, businesses, and tourists and the council thinks pouring millions more into downtown will help.