OK. I survived the big procedure. I have a "clean colon" with photos to prove it and am damned proud of it. I don't want to offend anyone with the details, other than to say that the fear of the unknown was 1000 times worse than the actual procedure.
What a great way to end the year on such a positive note. I've always heard that one should never take good health for granted. Nor for that matter should you take good health care for granted either.
Dr. Joe, his excellent medical staff, the fine folks at ACMC and Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center made this a very professional, caring and positive experience. I'm certain my perspective is somewhat slanted because of the positive outcome. None the less, from the moment I walked into the same day surgery center, I felt confident that I was getting the highest quality of health care available.
The bottom line (no pun intended) is that our community and region should be proud of the quality health care services we enjoy. If you've ever lived somewhere where it doesn't exist, you'll probably understand.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Mixed Bag Economics
Interesting feedback from Holiday business. Some folks are reporting their best holiday sales ever, while others have noted concerns about declining sales due to the national economy. For Marshall, I'm sensing that the smiles are outweighing the frowns. More on this in the next few days.
Just back from spending a couple of days with family in the Kansas City area. Most of the news reports from that area were pretty positive for retailers. While most, if not all, of my holiday shopping was done in Marshall, my family dragged me to one or two malls for last minute purchases they needed to make. Feedback from store clerks that I chatted with was pretty positive.
On Black Friday II (day after Christmas) we needed to make an exchange at a store in one of the more popular shopping malls there. Business was very brisk as it took us almost 15 minutes just to get into the parking lot. Traffic was that crazy. It bode well for their local economy.
It really made me appreciate the benefits of living and working in a community our size. Over the next week or so I'll try to list antidotal reports from our local businesses.
Just back from spending a couple of days with family in the Kansas City area. Most of the news reports from that area were pretty positive for retailers. While most, if not all, of my holiday shopping was done in Marshall, my family dragged me to one or two malls for last minute purchases they needed to make. Feedback from store clerks that I chatted with was pretty positive.
On Black Friday II (day after Christmas) we needed to make an exchange at a store in one of the more popular shopping malls there. Business was very brisk as it took us almost 15 minutes just to get into the parking lot. Traffic was that crazy. It bode well for their local economy.
It really made me appreciate the benefits of living and working in a community our size. Over the next week or so I'll try to list antidotal reports from our local businesses.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Peter and Paul Economics
The Marshall City Council took a step in the right direction last night by signing off on a budget for next year that cut projected levy increases considerably. Thank you for listening to our calls for fiscal restraint and responding accordingly.
Is it enough? Some will argue that the budget should actually have been decreased from last year's levels. Others will say that the increase will be felt hardest by commercial property owners who took a 15% increase hit in valuations earlier this year. We're still looking into that issue. More on that later, I'm sure.
Regardless, it's fiscally responsible for our City Council to tighten the belt and minimize spending increases.
How about our County Commissioners? Yes, we're going to start paying for a new jail, and yes we taxpayers need to honor their commitment to county personnel benefit packages. However, there are certainly areas where a sharper pencil will make a difference.
The famous early 20th Century British playwright, George Bernard Shaw perhaps got it right when he said: "A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."
That's my opinion. How about yours?
Is it enough? Some will argue that the budget should actually have been decreased from last year's levels. Others will say that the increase will be felt hardest by commercial property owners who took a 15% increase hit in valuations earlier this year. We're still looking into that issue. More on that later, I'm sure.
Regardless, it's fiscally responsible for our City Council to tighten the belt and minimize spending increases.
How about our County Commissioners? Yes, we're going to start paying for a new jail, and yes we taxpayers need to honor their commitment to county personnel benefit packages. However, there are certainly areas where a sharper pencil will make a difference.
The famous early 20th Century British playwright, George Bernard Shaw perhaps got it right when he said: "A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."
That's my opinion. How about yours?
Friday, December 12, 2008
Beats the Alternative
A wise person once told me that getting older sure beats the alternative! Someone else also said that you're only as old as you feel.
Lately, I'm feeling old. Last year I reached a milestone "0" birthday which afforded me the priviledge to join AARP. Several months prior to the big day an invitation to join the country's largest and most influential association arrived in the mail. How did they know? Talk about a powerful database!
Still wasn't feeling old, but earlier this year when I moved to Marshall, I was forced to get a Minnesota drivers license the clerk gave me an inquizative look when I gave my date of birth. I thought she may have feined disbelief that someone so old could look so youthful. Wrong.
Things took a drastic turn earlier this week. Had to finally schedule the male "rite of passage" procedure. I told myself, "OMG, this is supposed to be for older guys, not me."
Adding to the sense of aging was visiting the grocery store later that evening and had the young check out clerk ask me if I qualified for a Senior Discount. Ouch!
Time marches on, and thank goodness it hasn't left me behind. Getting older is a given. Accepting the fact is a challenge. It sure does beat the alternative though.
Lately, I'm feeling old. Last year I reached a milestone "0" birthday which afforded me the priviledge to join AARP. Several months prior to the big day an invitation to join the country's largest and most influential association arrived in the mail. How did they know? Talk about a powerful database!
Still wasn't feeling old, but earlier this year when I moved to Marshall, I was forced to get a Minnesota drivers license the clerk gave me an inquizative look when I gave my date of birth. I thought she may have feined disbelief that someone so old could look so youthful. Wrong.
Things took a drastic turn earlier this week. Had to finally schedule the male "rite of passage" procedure. I told myself, "OMG, this is supposed to be for older guys, not me."
Adding to the sense of aging was visiting the grocery store later that evening and had the young check out clerk ask me if I qualified for a Senior Discount. Ouch!
Time marches on, and thank goodness it hasn't left me behind. Getting older is a given. Accepting the fact is a challenge. It sure does beat the alternative though.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Taxing Developments
Truth in Taxation hearings, for some, is akin to sitting at home and watching paint dry. For others, it's an opportunity to present some serious and real concerns to our elected officials.
City and County elected officials had back to back "T in T" hearings last week. Some of the same folks attended each of the meetings sharing the common theme: "Show some fiscal restraint on next year's budget." It was the rallying cry of most. A couple of folks actually yelled and swore.
Interesting how the Minnesota system is set up to deal with property valuations in the Spring (April and May were those hearings) and the proposed levy (property taxes) in the Winter (December). Both are interrelated as property values are what the levies are based upon. Unfortunately, many of us learned too late that if we had concerns about valuation increases, that we should have come before our elected officials back in May.
Adding to the levels of frustrations were the "T in T" statements that had been sent out near the end of November. Those were based upon budget guestimates that City, County, and School District administrators had put together months ago. Basically they were crystal ball forecasts for a budget yet to be developed. As such, the administrators were somewhat guarded and had budgeted for more than they probably had needed. The interesting thing about this process is that the various districts can not ask for more tax levies than in these initial requests, but they can ask for less, which will ultimately be the case.
The outcry then erupted when folks received their "T in T" statements a few weeks ago that showed valuation increases, some as much as 70% or more! Adding to the concern was the double digit proposed increase of property taxes over what was paid last year. Couple that with declining markets, a skittish national economy, and you get some pretty frustrated tax payers.
Particularly onerous was the "hit" that commercial property tax owners took with an across the board 15% increase in property values. When asked why, administrators at the County and City both replied that the increases were mandated by the State based on commercial property sales that had taken place the year before. By some accounts, that amounted to only 4 or 5 sales. It's not clear if the State actually mandated these increases, or some over zealous local official jumped the gun on the state's behalf.
Still a couple of "T in T" hearings yet to go. Ultimately, budget restraint will prevail, and levy increases will see minimal increases. If that were the only issue.
From my seat Commercial property owners have been asked to pay a disproportionate portion of any budget and therefore levy increases. The 15% increase in commercial property values was a bit sneaky and premature from what I can tell.
That's my opinion. What about yours?
City and County elected officials had back to back "T in T" hearings last week. Some of the same folks attended each of the meetings sharing the common theme: "Show some fiscal restraint on next year's budget." It was the rallying cry of most. A couple of folks actually yelled and swore.
Interesting how the Minnesota system is set up to deal with property valuations in the Spring (April and May were those hearings) and the proposed levy (property taxes) in the Winter (December). Both are interrelated as property values are what the levies are based upon. Unfortunately, many of us learned too late that if we had concerns about valuation increases, that we should have come before our elected officials back in May.
Adding to the levels of frustrations were the "T in T" statements that had been sent out near the end of November. Those were based upon budget guestimates that City, County, and School District administrators had put together months ago. Basically they were crystal ball forecasts for a budget yet to be developed. As such, the administrators were somewhat guarded and had budgeted for more than they probably had needed. The interesting thing about this process is that the various districts can not ask for more tax levies than in these initial requests, but they can ask for less, which will ultimately be the case.
The outcry then erupted when folks received their "T in T" statements a few weeks ago that showed valuation increases, some as much as 70% or more! Adding to the concern was the double digit proposed increase of property taxes over what was paid last year. Couple that with declining markets, a skittish national economy, and you get some pretty frustrated tax payers.
Particularly onerous was the "hit" that commercial property tax owners took with an across the board 15% increase in property values. When asked why, administrators at the County and City both replied that the increases were mandated by the State based on commercial property sales that had taken place the year before. By some accounts, that amounted to only 4 or 5 sales. It's not clear if the State actually mandated these increases, or some over zealous local official jumped the gun on the state's behalf.
Still a couple of "T in T" hearings yet to go. Ultimately, budget restraint will prevail, and levy increases will see minimal increases. If that were the only issue.
From my seat Commercial property owners have been asked to pay a disproportionate portion of any budget and therefore levy increases. The 15% increase in commercial property values was a bit sneaky and premature from what I can tell.
That's my opinion. What about yours?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Great Customer Service
Our Ambassadors got together after work last night to celebrate the season at the corner Bistro. Thanks Ambassadors for welcoming Board Chair Mike and me to your informal gathering.
Tuesday evening (Pasta Night!)is one of the busiest nights for the folks at the Bistro, and despite the large crowds, Sam our bartender /slash/ waitstaff person did an exceptional job of taking care of our happy and boistrus group.
Despite a full house of happy pasta eaters, (many who were also asking for orders from the bar), Sam went out of her way to make certain our beverage and appetizer orders were always promptly filled; did it with a huge smile and plenty of positive enthusiasm, all of which insured that our Bistro experience was top shelf.
Great job Sam!
Do you know someone who shows great customer service? When was the last time you told them so?!
That's my opinion, what's yours?
Tuesday evening (Pasta Night!)is one of the busiest nights for the folks at the Bistro, and despite the large crowds, Sam our bartender /slash/ waitstaff person did an exceptional job of taking care of our happy and boistrus group.
Despite a full house of happy pasta eaters, (many who were also asking for orders from the bar), Sam went out of her way to make certain our beverage and appetizer orders were always promptly filled; did it with a huge smile and plenty of positive enthusiasm, all of which insured that our Bistro experience was top shelf.
Great job Sam!
Do you know someone who shows great customer service? When was the last time you told them so?!
That's my opinion, what's yours?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Fast Start to Holiday Shopping
While not very scientific, my random antidotal poll of a few local retailers suggests that Black Friday was a pretty big success in Marshall, Minnesota.
Two retailers on Main Street reported this week that Friday's numbers were even better than the record setting numbers from 2007. Pretty heady stuff, especially considering the news of the economic downtown (re: recession). (Jeez, I hate using that "R" word).
Several retailers outside of downtown reported similar numbers for last weekend's hefty sales. A great start to the retail holiday season. Pretty darned promising, don't you think?
Not too bad considering the national news, gasoline prices being over half of what they were 4 months ago, and some serious jitters about the regional economy.
One newscast last night put an interesting spin on the story though. In 2007, there were 32 shopping days between Black Friday (November 22nd) and Christmas Eve (December 24th). Compare that to this year: 2008, where there are 6 fewer shopping days for the same period. Thanksgiving fell on November 27th, one day shy of the latest date in November that Turkey Day can occur.
Nearly 20% fewer shopping days between Holidays.
Retailers will need to work harder this year to match last year's record sales. Retail therapy is the recommended treatment.
If you have to spend, please do so responsibly and locally!
Two retailers on Main Street reported this week that Friday's numbers were even better than the record setting numbers from 2007. Pretty heady stuff, especially considering the news of the economic downtown (re: recession). (Jeez, I hate using that "R" word).
Several retailers outside of downtown reported similar numbers for last weekend's hefty sales. A great start to the retail holiday season. Pretty darned promising, don't you think?
Not too bad considering the national news, gasoline prices being over half of what they were 4 months ago, and some serious jitters about the regional economy.
One newscast last night put an interesting spin on the story though. In 2007, there were 32 shopping days between Black Friday (November 22nd) and Christmas Eve (December 24th). Compare that to this year: 2008, where there are 6 fewer shopping days for the same period. Thanksgiving fell on November 27th, one day shy of the latest date in November that Turkey Day can occur.
Nearly 20% fewer shopping days between Holidays.
Retailers will need to work harder this year to match last year's record sales. Retail therapy is the recommended treatment.
If you have to spend, please do so responsibly and locally!
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