Smurf’ news on Hump Day
I don’t like that name for Wednesday, but it had to be a headline sooner or later. Just so we’ve got that out of the way.
First of all, a ton of people want to know more about Mayor John Engen’s Best Place Project. Engen announced it during the state of the city address he gave at the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week.
Who are the players? Do they carry iPhones? How will it be different than some of the other eco-devo groups out there? Who is going to be doing all the work? Who is on first? Who is paying the people working? Who is head hunting? Who is head hunted?
The short answer is the details are still in the works. Stay tuned.
On another front, though, Smurfit-Stone Container paid up Missoula County. In an e-mail Wednesday, county deputy treasurer Scott Seitz said the check for back taxes is no longer in the mail — it’s in the county’s hands.
“They now owe no delinquent taxes,” Seitz said.
How much did they pay? “The total I received from them was $2,037,462.07 including delinquencies and one 2009 bill that had been abated.”
Hopefully there’s word soon on moolah owed the state.
Also, if you haven’t seen it, a proposal by Councilman Dave Strohmaier has sparked quite the debate online about Constitutional rights. Strohmaier’s proposal would have drunk driving suspects who refuse a breath test faced with a misdemeanor and minimum $300 fine.
Here’s one of the many comments:
I believe DUI is a terrible crime that deserves much stiffer penalties than are currently in place, but this is not how to do it. This is the equivalent of fining someone for invoking their RIGHT to remain silent. And City Attorney Nugent said it best, it’s just a way for prosecutors to build an even bigger case against a suspect. I don’t drink/do drugs/anything of the sort. But even if I were pulled over I would refuse to blow and take the six month license suspension. Making the exercise of a fundamental right a crime is plain old unconstitutional.
Wrong, and wrong again, said another chap:
I’m positive this will not be found unconstitutional — nor should it. Every day you give up something for the privilege. If you don’t like the rules no one’s making you drive nor does anyone have a right to drive. All you constitutionalists should have been screaming about the refusal clause when you got your license. Then you would truly have looked like the idiots you are.
In case you hadn’t noticed, the term “idiot” is a popular one in the comments section. Merriam-Webster has this on its beginnings.
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ydiote, from Latin idiota ignorant person, from Greek idiōtēs one in a private station, layman, ignorant person, from idios one’s own, private; akin to Latin suus one’s own.
Now, everyone to their private stations.
– Keila Szpaller
