2 JUL 08: SLIDE RULES WANTED
Oh boy-- we're going to have some fun with mathematics today. And yes, you can play along. Your computer should have a built-in calculator, by way of "Start Button >> All Programs >> Accessories." At least that works for Windows systems. If you have a MacIntosh, you asked to live dangerously when you bought it.
The calculators turned on across Columbus Tuesday, because of the proposed one-percent city sales tax. Common Cause Columbus called for all advertising in favor of the tax to be removed. The group couldn't demand the "no" side remove its ads - because those four or five yard signs are hard to find, scattered all over town.
Common Cause claims the "Yes for Public Safety" ads are misleading and untrue, because they promise NO tax increase. Aha -- so a "Yes" vote really will mean a No. Pretty sneaky, huh?
Here's where the math problem kicks in. The current total sales tax in Columbus is seven percent. Common Cause Chairman Sam Rawls told a news conference a "Yes" vote will mean a six-percent sales tax next January, while a "No" vote will mean a five-percent tax. So if I vote No for one, it'll drop TWO -- like one of those weekly Publix specials?!
The treasurer with "Yes for Public Safety" disputed some of Sam Rawls's math. Milton Jones agreed a Yes vote will mean a six-percent sales tax next January. But he emphasized: "Six is less than seven." Which is true - but doesn't that sound like a "positive" one will equal a negative-one?
Let's sort this out by noting first that both groups quietly are making a big assumption. They've both decided the current one-percent sales tax for Muscogee County schools is doomed. If there's a vote on extending or replacing it this fall, you might as well vote for the Atlanta Falcons to win the Super Bowl.
(Perhaps the last roll of pennies from the school sales tax should be put in a time capsule -- and buried under the new school administration building with an autographed picture of Dr. John Phillips.)
Two one-percent sales taxes expire in Columbus later this year -- one for the schools, one for the city. The 15 July question would impose a new city local option sales tax. Milton Jones says the new tax will replace the old one, so there's no increase. Sam Rawls says the old one disappears, so the new one is an increase from the base level. So is this tax like a spare tire, or a trade-in for a different car?
The "Yes for Public Safety" group tries to explain its version of the math on its web site. But in the process, it also has to explain why the ballot question asks if the sales tax should "be increased from one percent to two percent" - and why it's not like adding more flavor to your milk.
Common Cause board member Josh McKoon attended Tuesday's news conference - leaving me wondering if the Muscogee County Republican committee he chairs ever will take a stand on the one-percent tax question. Maybe this group quietly hired Bob Poydasheff as a consultant....
In a bigger math game, Tuesday's Ledger-Enquirer reported the "Yes for Public Safety" campaign has received more than $62,000 in donations. As of Monday, it had spent more than $41,000 - and I can verify NO money has been spent on leaflets for police officers to hand out during drug raids.
The donors to "Yes for Public Safety" reflect familiar corporate Columbus names - from Paul Amos II of Aflac to retired Synovus executive James Blanchard. But there's also a 50-dollar donation from the owner of the Forest Road Package Store. Will that cover one new police officer, or one modest victory party?
Did I read the expenditure list correctly - the Yes side has spent $33,000 on television ads, but not one penny at WRBL? Phil Scoggins doesn't strike me as that bitter toward the police at all....
BLOG UPDATE: Speaking of math, the Russell County primary ballots apparently "added up" after all. District Attorney Kenneth Davis announced Tuesday he found NO sign of irregularities in the June vote. The construction schedule for Broad Street near the county courthouse is another matter.
Kenneth Davis told reporters his office talked to some of the 200 people who cast absentee ballots in the primary. The staff also reviewed some of the disputed ballots. Hopefully they're stacked neatly somewhere - since Alabama Attorney General Troy King could come after them any day.
The announcement by Kenneth Davis apparently means Ronnie Reed will regain his Russell County Commission seat. Reed commended Davis for his effort to investigate possible voter fraud. That's funny - I don't recall nice words like that, when Davis prosecuted Reed out of office two years ago.
Let's see what else happened around here, while people far north of us marked Canada Day:
+ Columbus Police announced they're looking for a suspect in several recent robberies of Papa John's Pizza shops. If you want to impress your friends today, tell them police are pursuing the Papa John's pizza parlor perpetrator.
+ An Allstate survey ranked Columbus number 71, when it comes to U.S. cities with safe drivers. Columbus ranked below Augusta, Montgomery and Birmingham - but Birmingham is understandable, because too many drivers crowd onto U.S. 78 and the interstate entrance ramps.
(Allstate's figuring determined the average driver in Columbus has a collision every 10.1 years -- which tells me a lot of drivers only pass through Manchester Expressway and Armour Road when absolutely necessary.)
+ WLTZ reported the new skate park in South Commons is so far under budget, an extra bowl has been added to it. So is this one called "Peach" or "Peanut?"
+ Martin Army Community Hospital marked its 50th anniversary. A bill just signed into law will provide more than $500 million to build a new hospital at Fort Benning. C'mon, Columbus Regional - just try to merge with this one.
(WLTZ declared the 50-year celebration of Fort Benning's hospital a "silver anniversary." Now I know inflation is getting out of hand - because 50 was golden for so long....)
+ Auburn University announced its latest capital fund-raising campaign exceeded its goal, with $609 million in pledges. The next few months will be interesting to watch - to see how many foreclosed homes Auburn possesses.
+ The Columbus Cottonmouths announced their home schedule for next season. It includes home games on Thanksgiving night, Christmas night and St. Patrick's Day -- so a lot of husbands actually may have to join their wives at President's Day sales.
+ Instant Message to the University of Georgia football team: Aw, c'mon - two more players arrested, this time for battery?! That's six arrests this off-season. You're not supposed to pay tribute to "UGA VI" quite like that.
SCHEDULED THURSDAY: A mystery candidate in this election comes out of hiding....
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