Let's talk about the Jasper County budget. What a mess. Council members voted 3-2 against passing a $670,000 burden to the citizens. Chairman Hood and Councilman Blackshear voted for it. Now they say, the only choice is to lay off employees. They do not want to do that-no way.

Will they? Don't bet on it. If they do, they can rehire after the budget is passed. Where to cut? Jasper County has more employees than any other county in South Carolina for its size. They could lay off approximately 10 employees and find their $670,000. They could just pass the buck to the citizens and let them pay. They tried to do that already but failed on a 2-3 vote. How about USCB.

They want $300,000. Must be nice. How about tell them that the citizens of Jasper County come first. They need to have a cake sale or car wash and raise that $300,000. I don't think Chairman Hood would go for that.

What not to cut. A county that does not take care of the young and elderly has no value as a county. The Boys club run by Anne Walker has requested $25,000. Will they get it? Maybe little of none. Where is the money coming from? Well, how about the $30,000 the county paid part of for a lobbyist. A lobbyist of all things. Nice one day pay.

$30,000. Where's the stimulus money folks? Unreal. That $30,000 could have taken care of an untold number of young kids for a year. Where are their priorities - if they have any. How about $26,875 for a privacy fence around the new county Taj Mahal building? Yep, they need privacy. How about the $27,000 agreement for a company to come in and test steel if they are needed? I plead with Councilmembers Tyler, Gregory and Etheridge to not abandon our young people.

Where to find money. Interested members of Council could start by looking at (1) overtime (2) travel and training (3) computer equipment and (4) contracts and agreements. When finished there - I can give you some more.

We have already seen this administration get what they want and pass the cost to this budget. They KNEW revenues were down and did it anyway. This budget process is a joke. When passed, they can start spending full force again and put it off to the next budget year. Somebody on Council has to take charge and keep up with what is going on. Nobody knows where the money and product is going-somebody needs to.

Things to watch in the coming weeks-(1) employee cuts (2) USCB (3) aid to the elderly and Boys Club. I will do this. When the final budget is passed - I will condense it for you and print it in the Sun if they have the space. I want you to see what kind of people you elected to look after your interest and how they are doing it.

God Bless Jasper County