As I get older I find that spending a little time to get my
thoughts in order helps get the more salient points across. To that end, I have
been pondering the comments made by the Jasper County Council Member in regards
to the Low Country Economic Alliance and what a bang up job they are doing. I understand
there are two new businesses moving into Jasper County and they are expected to
add 275 jobs to the local economy.

My first reaction upon hearing about it was to offer congratulations
to the Low Country Economic Alliance and a hearty welcome to Jasper County to
the two new businesses.

My second thought, which happened directly after, was in the
form of a flashback to a current TV commercial for Ally Bank. Now, we’ve all
seen the commercials but this particular one involved a cute little girl just
sitting there looking bored while an adult stood by an ice cream cart. In walks
a little boy and he is offered his choice of ice cream flavors by the adult. He
chooses a strawberry cone and happily walks away with his prize. Shortly
thereafter, the little girl asks if she could have some and is rejected. The
adult explains the ice cream is for “new kids”, when she explains she is also
new, the adult explains the little boy was newer so he got the ice cream.

These two things collided in my thoughts for several days
and annoyed me much like hearing a Councilman condescendingly announce, they
would be hiring a Deputy County Administrator against our wishes.

I began to wonder if anyone had approached current and in
many cases long term businesses with tax breaks on par with those offered to
the “new kids”.  Has anyone come up with
any plans to help current business owners with our tax liabilities? Has anyone
even given a second thought to businesses here in Jasper County who for years had
our hearts ripped out by ever increasing fees and taxes?  See, they are the “newer kids”, and we are
the older “new kids”.

Imagine if they decided to offer real tax breaks to those
companies who employ locals who are currently unemployed looking for work, even
on a part time basis. Imagine if they offered tax breaks to business owners who
took those tax breaks and grew their business in the local economy.  Perhaps, remodeling their buildings using
local contractors or adding machinery and shifts thereby hiring more of our
local people. Or heaven forbid  a current
business owner is given tax breaks for opening a second or third business in
the County.

What if local governments looked first to local contractors
for all construction projects or demanded a high percentage of local persons on
the crews of out of town or state companies.  Another thought, what would happen if these
brain trusts actually sought out ideas and feedback from the business owners
directly impacted by the schemes and tax hikes dreamed up behind closed doors?

See, look at that, I just offered several business ideas in
this one little blog and I didn’t rake you over the coals for $110,000.00 doing
it either. My point is simple,” think about the people you are taxing to death”,
we are the ones who foot a large percentage of taxes paid.

On a side note, for a one-time $50.00 fee (you pay to rent
the bull dozer) I would gladly knock over both unusable school buildings there
has been such excessive hand wringing over. Simply getting rid of them would
probably save the County thousands of dollars spent over the last couple of
years sending the fire department there two to three times a day. While this is
said tongue in cheek, the ongoing warfare over the use of these unsafe building
is starting to wear my already short patience thin.

In closing, I offer my heartfelt welcome to the “new kids”
and I hope the wastrels in office don’t squander this opportunity.

You didn’t think I would forget the remedial English lesson
for the Jasper County or Ridgeland City Councils did you?

Wastrels -
One who wastes, especially one who wastes money; a profligate. One who expends
resources foolishly and self-indulgently.

I’m just saying