TAX UP, CLOSE DOWN

Ruston council meeting Monday July 7, 2008 7pm:

Apparently finance is not taught at law schools. According to the world class cabal minds we have on our town council zero is higher than $8,000.00 clams. To improve the town's finances the cabal council voted 3-1 (Hedrick) a death knell 12 percent tax increase on the Point Defiance Casino watered down from 20 percent but just as deadly. Hell hath no wrath like a cabal scorned or lawsuit loser. We should give each of them (five) a sign reading "I'm with stupid".

Item 7 on the agenda Ordinance 1253 Gambling Tax (first reading) and second reading on motion by Dan A. and Bradley H. the dynamic duo of righteousness and sign removal. Remember, before being elected, appointed to the council they visited the Point Defiance Casino and ordered the removal of their sign which the gruesome twosome objected to, or else. Well else has arrived.

Jim Hedrick objected referring to the ordinance as a "railroading" and the Casino and it's forty employees deserved a moratorium to phase out the business and allow employees to find other employment. Dan, all heart Dan, responded that this was "no surprise" and made a motion to waive second reading. Passed cabal 3 Ruston (Hedrick) one.

Then Jane came up with a second motion to add the Ruston business license to the monthly reporting. Same result 3-1. This is known in legalese as "beating a dead horse".

Jim Hedrick, again, questioned the logic, if we are "voting them out of existence" why do we need this amendment? Remember, "I'm with stupid".

The tax on a sliding scale is currently one percent, eight thousand dollars per year. Their have been estimates of a 400 percent increase, a 666 percent increase. But using the new math I calculated twelve percent from one percent is a twelve (1,200) hundred percent increase.

Jane in another moment of remorse intoned that "it was not the Town's responsibility to prop up poorly managed businesses".

Jim Hedrick final comment before the ax fell "targeting one taxpayer to bolster the Town's financial situation is premature". So is inviting lawsuits that the town is destined to lose. Ask Wayne about the "ballet lawsuit" vs. the Commencement.

A first year law school student learns that the courts have held using the taxing authority to destroy will be dealt with harshly. Notwithstanding, Ordinance 1253 passed 3-1, another cabal win, another Ruston loss.

In public comments public speakers were routinely challenged and rebuked for disagreeing with the caballers on the council. When a Ruston supporter attempted to challenge a council person in Council time he was immediately gavelled out of order. Cabal rules, cabal ruins.

Finally, stay tuned, the appointed Mayor announced an additional targeted fire support tax on buildings over two stories. Only one building fits this criteria, The COMMENCEMENT. They don't give up, they don't forget. Lawsuit pending?

Many casino employees practically begged for mercy and at least a second reading and public comments but were treated rudely or ignored. One single mother was even in tears asking for her job, implored her hours were already reduced, but was met with blind stares and disdain.

This is what you have become Ruston after 102 years! Are you proud?