Read this article by the Heritage Foundation >>> a well research article on balancing the federal budget by 2009. Impossible? Maybe but a great target.
It's time to take on deficits as well as terrorists.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Monday, March 14, 2005
Habitat Success
The Porter County Home and Garden Show sponsored by the Porter County Builders Association has been a raging success for one exhbitor: Porter County Habitat for Humanity. I talked to one exhibitor that reported "Lake County has a little show ... Porter County gets it all right .. this is a great show for exhibitors and for consumers"
With volunteers, donations, and lots of publicity ... this if just what the local Habitat needed prior to building with volunteers two houses on Roosevelt near TJ this year.
Read the article in the Times or email the President to sign up to help out mailto:brentwagnerarch@cs.com
At a time when government officials are working to "raise" the cost of housing so we can keep out "them people" that would not be desirable .... Habitat is working to make housing affordable for even more people. Families that can now take part in George W. Bush's ownerships society dont deserve to be talked down to by our county leaders. Frankly, we'd be glad to give some of our leaders back to the county to the west from whence they came!
By the way, the PCBA doing something other than serving drinks at the local banquet hall .. if I recall that's what the PCBA is supposed to do ... more often >>> Good Work
www.pcbaonline.com Send an email to the executive director or President complimenting them on using PCBA time and energy for something to help our industry.
With volunteers, donations, and lots of publicity ... this if just what the local Habitat needed prior to building with volunteers two houses on Roosevelt near TJ this year.
Read the article in the Times or email the President to sign up to help out mailto:brentwagnerarch@cs.com
At a time when government officials are working to "raise" the cost of housing so we can keep out "them people" that would not be desirable .... Habitat is working to make housing affordable for even more people. Families that can now take part in George W. Bush's ownerships society dont deserve to be talked down to by our county leaders. Frankly, we'd be glad to give some of our leaders back to the county to the west from whence they came!
By the way, the PCBA doing something other than serving drinks at the local banquet hall .. if I recall that's what the PCBA is supposed to do ... more often >>> Good Work
www.pcbaonline.com Send an email to the executive director or President complimenting them on using PCBA time and energy for something to help our industry.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Portage Fees to double? They never learn
It seems that the City of Portage has decided to show its democratic roots once again. They have announced intentions to "double" their fees for building. Over the last five years some decent homes have been built in Portage, and let's face it "high-end" homes aren't the norm in Portage. Now they want to double their fees ... the result they will lose high end homes! Great move mayor, just what you needed .. maybe some more mobile homes or bi-levels or apartments?
It's high time the republicans stepped up with some proposals to turn that city around. New Energy ... More Ideas ... New Leadership ... Time for some pruning. Even the builders are just sitting around letting the fees get doubled. (Maybe we could rent Costas to Portage to help them out of their misery)
Read the article in the Times Now focus on the trickery .... the reason it is costing over $400,000 a year to inspect houses is that they do a foolish, pretentious, job. This entire department should and could be managed for half that amount .... oh my, then they wouldn't need to increase their fees would they? Valparaiso has two inspectors, Portage ... I don't know maybe 8, can you say democrats?
Gang, time to say something to the City of Portage. Call the councilmen, call the building commissioner, do something.
It's high time the republicans stepped up with some proposals to turn that city around. New Energy ... More Ideas ... New Leadership ... Time for some pruning. Even the builders are just sitting around letting the fees get doubled. (Maybe we could rent Costas to Portage to help them out of their misery)
Read the article in the Times Now focus on the trickery .... the reason it is costing over $400,000 a year to inspect houses is that they do a foolish, pretentious, job. This entire department should and could be managed for half that amount .... oh my, then they wouldn't need to increase their fees would they? Valparaiso has two inspectors, Portage ... I don't know maybe 8, can you say democrats?
Gang, time to say something to the City of Portage. Call the councilmen, call the building commissioner, do something.
Hanna to be Valpo administrator
Hooray, our good friend Bill Hanna has been asked by Jon Costas to fill the now vacation city adminstrator job. He is a terrific friend of housing, and construction, and economic development. I know Jon talked about looking regionally, but he found the best man for the job right next door.
comments and congrats to bill at billhanna@netnitco.net
Read the press coverage The Times
comments and congrats to bill at billhanna@netnitco.net
Read the press coverage The Times
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
And the pendulum swings
Is it possible that after 100 years of liberal thought and malaise, that the young brits will finally swing back to conservative? Does this portend our own culture, will we see a swing back to conservative values? Or, does the United States win the award for going the extra mile into liberal and "open" society and pass everyone into the abyss?
Worse yet, is it possible that convervative thought and values becomes fascist, and we start telling everyone what they have to think ... oh yea that's called fundamentalism! hey baptists beware we've got you in on our radar!
See the results of a recent british survey
Worse yet, is it possible that convervative thought and values becomes fascist, and we start telling everyone what they have to think ... oh yea that's called fundamentalism! hey baptists beware we've got you in on our radar!
See the results of a recent british survey
Women may vote in Kuwait
There is a report, see Women's Suffrage in Kuwait, that suggests that under pressure from Washington, the Kuwait government may allow voting for women for the first time. If you follow the replies and responses you'll see that admant "bush" supporters feel that the left-leaning media is under-reporting these "bush" successes.
Another interesting site follows these kinds of changes globally and reports on demonstrations and sit-ins that may have an effect on democratic changes. Very full list of countries and current democratic demonstrations.
Another interesting site follows these kinds of changes globally and reports on demonstrations and sit-ins that may have an effect on democratic changes. Very full list of countries and current democratic demonstrations.
Blogs vs. McCain Feingold
Yes, I would qualify as a political junkie. All things political do appeal to me regularly. With that said, I know some of you will not care a bit about this article. Hesitate though, before you decide to go to the next issue ... are blogs protected under "free speech" by the constitution? For that matter, are all opinions provided they dont threaten a crime, protected under free speech?
It appears that the Federal Election Commission, is now looking at penalties for "blogs" that push a candidate or a campaign. Let's say my blog pushed you to go to My Man Mitch, the political website for Mitch Daniels our new governor in Indiana. And let's say that as a result $10,000 was raised, which broke a McCain Feingold limit for contributions from .... me ... then i would be fined for breaking McCain Feingold even though i didn't send in the checks.
Read the article and tell me your thoughts.
It appears that the Federal Election Commission, is now looking at penalties for "blogs" that push a candidate or a campaign. Let's say my blog pushed you to go to My Man Mitch, the political website for Mitch Daniels our new governor in Indiana. And let's say that as a result $10,000 was raised, which broke a McCain Feingold limit for contributions from .... me ... then i would be fined for breaking McCain Feingold even though i didn't send in the checks.
Read the article and tell me your thoughts.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Amen Corner is a Dud
John Wolf, northwest Indiana's self-appointed preacher, has once again missed the point. See the article in todays NWI Times
Let's do some history review: Social Security was created as a safety net when the community breaks down and the family falls aprt, social security was to "save" the individual from homelessness. This "retirement" stuff is for the birds. You want to retire, save money, save your own money, dont give it to the government to take care for you at zero percent interest on a "trust" that it will be there when you retire.
Gang, take this seriously, when even "preacher" types want a freebie from the government and have abdicated the role of church, community, and family ... we're in a world of hurt.
Let's do some history review: Social Security was created as a safety net when the community breaks down and the family falls aprt, social security was to "save" the individual from homelessness. This "retirement" stuff is for the birds. You want to retire, save money, save your own money, dont give it to the government to take care for you at zero percent interest on a "trust" that it will be there when you retire.
Gang, take this seriously, when even "preacher" types want a freebie from the government and have abdicated the role of church, community, and family ... we're in a world of hurt.
Daniel .... Bible Style
Take a few minuts and listen to this message from the Book of Daniel
February 27th sermon on Daniel 11
Check it every week for Ken Dalton's newest message ... expository preaching one verse one chapter at a time ... no massaging the material and choosing the easy stuff
Southside Bible Church
February 27th sermon on Daniel 11
Check it every week for Ken Dalton's newest message ... expository preaching one verse one chapter at a time ... no massaging the material and choosing the easy stuff
Southside Bible Church
Colson on Prison and Martha Stewart
What are some alternatives to prison for offenders like Martha Stewart? Chuck Colson, christian apologist and Prison Fellowship founder, suggests that there are many. What are they and how do we penalize without being oppressive. Can some people be rehabilitated?
Do a little research and shoot some ideas back.
Colson on Prison
Do a little research and shoot some ideas back.
Colson on Prison
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Syria to pull out ... Right
Assad lies again
I love the line "it is unclear if Assad means what he says" that great! Of course he doesnt ... a bully never volunteers to give up. He will lose Syria before the end of the decade. The Saudis will lose their monarchy and chaos will unsue in both countries.
The good news? I think that Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Afganistan and some of the former Soviet republics will actually turn around and become bacons of light for the next generation of freedom seekers.
Go ahead disagree ... I need it
Update March 7, 2005 Syria and Lebanon reportedly agree to two stage pullback
I love the line "it is unclear if Assad means what he says" that great! Of course he doesnt ... a bully never volunteers to give up. He will lose Syria before the end of the decade. The Saudis will lose their monarchy and chaos will unsue in both countries.
The good news? I think that Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Afganistan and some of the former Soviet republics will actually turn around and become bacons of light for the next generation of freedom seekers.
Go ahead disagree ... I need it
Update March 7, 2005 Syria and Lebanon reportedly agree to two stage pullback
Bush in South Bend
Read all about his trip to Indiana
President Bush was in Indiana touting his social security plan, I was there ... best quote of the trip "why would anyone disagree with giving people the chance to manage their own money?"
This was said by Jake Wagner who was pictured on the White House Website
Photo with W and Jake
We live in a society that will now battle between having to reclaim personal responsibility or giving up and letting the government do it all for us. The battle is on.
President Bush was in Indiana touting his social security plan, I was there ... best quote of the trip "why would anyone disagree with giving people the chance to manage their own money?"
This was said by Jake Wagner who was pictured on the White House Website
Photo with W and Jake
We live in a society that will now battle between having to reclaim personal responsibility or giving up and letting the government do it all for us. The battle is on.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Social Security Power
Ok it's high time we redid this entire social security thing. President Social Security Plan is a good starting point. But cutting benefits, raising taxes on high income retirees, and gradually eliminating the governments monopoly on retirement planning will be necessary.
The government starts wars but they dont do much else well.
Check out the president's plan and sign the petition. Then call your rep or senator.
More on Indiana state issues tomorrow. We may just get a balanced budget yet.
Mitch's Site
The government starts wars but they dont do much else well.
Check out the president's plan and sign the petition. Then call your rep or senator.
More on Indiana state issues tomorrow. We may just get a balanced budget yet.
Mitch's Site
Jeanne Sommer Team Raises the Bar
Members of the Century 21 Alliance team in Valparaiso announced last week an ongoing community project
Care Box Project
We highly recommend all our team members to help out
We've had ten years of the best real estate and construction industry ever ... I mean ever ... there's no reason we can't make millions of other people lives better as well.
Care Box Project
We highly recommend all our team members to help out
We've had ten years of the best real estate and construction industry ever ... I mean ever ... there's no reason we can't make millions of other people lives better as well.
Wherefor art thou fees?
Valparaiso is striving to create "fee" income so they can raise additonal dollars to pay for Mayor Butterfields great lapse ... OOps he forgot to fix the road for 15 years.
Now we know they've looked at trash fee, and increased permit fees, and impact fees to developers. We know they've looked to increase tax payers by annexing.
What about cable fees? What about charging the hospital, the county, and VU for fire fees. What about churches and not for profits, should they pay a fire and police fee? Take a look at Portage's ideas on new fee income.
Where is our annexation of the westside? Any chance it'll happen soon?
Where is an impact fee plan? The builders said they would support an impact fee plan if it followed state law.
Now we know they've looked at trash fee, and increased permit fees, and impact fees to developers. We know they've looked to increase tax payers by annexing.
What about cable fees? What about charging the hospital, the county, and VU for fire fees. What about churches and not for profits, should they pay a fire and police fee? Take a look at Portage's ideas on new fee income.
Where is our annexation of the westside? Any chance it'll happen soon?
Where is an impact fee plan? The builders said they would support an impact fee plan if it followed state law.
Council Takes a Stand
Monday night the Valparaiso city council took a stand for private property rights. Voting in a contested vote 5-2 they struck down the plan commission's recommended C-4 downtown rezoning ordinance.
In short the ordinance, without downtown property owner support, would limit buildings to four stories, would severely limit parking, would put a board in place to determine "character", would limit sexually oriented businesses and others. Oh they pushed hard on the SOB thing to make the rest go thru, tst ... tst... we all know that a good ordinance on SOB can be passed separately 7-0 any time.
Read up on this issue, it will resurface
Downtown Ordinance Stuck Down by Leaders
In short the ordinance, without downtown property owner support, would limit buildings to four stories, would severely limit parking, would put a board in place to determine "character", would limit sexually oriented businesses and others. Oh they pushed hard on the SOB thing to make the rest go thru, tst ... tst... we all know that a good ordinance on SOB can be passed separately 7-0 any time.
Read up on this issue, it will resurface
Downtown Ordinance Stuck Down by Leaders
Costas Listening to Residents
Jon continues to do what he is good at: namely he actually cares what people think.
City Survey to direct Valparaiso's planning and direction.
Here's the possible problem when surveying ... Our former discredited leader, Mayor Butterfield, became adept at never leading ... Oh he'd survey and form committees all day long ... but he never made a decision and never set an agenda. Leaders have to set agendas even when constituents arent sure of their thoughts yet.
It is good to know what people think, so the survey is a good idea, but if Valparaiso residents aren't sure how to increase their level of living, this is no excuse for our cities leadership to sit on their hands.
On the negative side, residents may agree with our two anti-growth councilmen, they may want an end to all apartments, they many want to severely restrict private property owners rights >>>>>>> That doesnt make them right. That just means we have a public that has been misguided down a primrose path of NIMBYism and property rights violations for the "greater good"
City Survey to direct Valparaiso's planning and direction.
Here's the possible problem when surveying ... Our former discredited leader, Mayor Butterfield, became adept at never leading ... Oh he'd survey and form committees all day long ... but he never made a decision and never set an agenda. Leaders have to set agendas even when constituents arent sure of their thoughts yet.
It is good to know what people think, so the survey is a good idea, but if Valparaiso residents aren't sure how to increase their level of living, this is no excuse for our cities leadership to sit on their hands.
On the negative side, residents may agree with our two anti-growth councilmen, they may want an end to all apartments, they many want to severely restrict private property owners rights >>>>>>> That doesnt make them right. That just means we have a public that has been misguided down a primrose path of NIMBYism and property rights violations for the "greater good"
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