Apples to oranges...that is the comparison we make when we compare what we pay for taxes, with what 'they' pay for taxes in other larger towns. I have been to a few meetings, and we all know the person who prefaces their complaints with "I PAY TAXES" as a way of pointing out their entitlement. While being a tax payer does indeed entitle a person to a spot in the municipal chain...and I fully agree that one has not only the right, but the responsibility to take part in the process, paying taxe...

by Lorri Matthewson, Owner of Solomon~Matthewson Consulting (edited and published in SUMA's publication When analyzing the assets of a community, a good developer along with Council and community, look at ways to support local business, bring in new business, support culture and recreation, increase tourism, and engage the community.  In order to help build a community, we need to work with the community to get a handle on their unique assets so that we can help support their growth by bui...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkTLIO2zanM First, click on the link and love a soundtrack to the article...I adore the romantical old style classy stuff, and even if you do not, it sets the tone. Go on, give it a click. . If ever there is a movie about my life...and no real reason why there should be...Louis Armstrong would provide the background music...and in the movie I would be able to dance. Down the street, with my mister and I think an umbrella...I could spend a long time in th...

In Carlyle, the most recent data says on average, we pay $251.84 every three months for our residential water supply. It works out to about $2.80 a day. It is clean, safe to drink, and I actually like the taste. I drink about a gallon or more of the stuff a day. It is really, really easy to take for granted good, clean water when I turn on the tap, and out it comes. Some would say in Carlyle that we are lucky, but I know it had a lot more to do with planning, budgeting, and understanding ...

I am a passionate woman. In my life, I have had three great loves, all of which I have followed, worked with, created with, and discarded, only to find out I cannot live without all three. I am passionate about community. I am fascinated about what makes the community work, and what makes the community implode. I wonder about why some communities thrive, while others fail. I wonder why some communities are so beautiful, and others look like they have already given up. I wonder why some pe...

I love small town living. I have made that clear to the six or seven people that subscribe to my blog, and I am prepared to shout that from those big round hay bales if someone would give me a boost up. True, I am a biased, unashamed, small town girl. I prefer to live here. I have fun here. I love knowing most of the people here. I love that so much of my food is provided by local producers, and I can walk to most places in my day to day life. It is a good life. I love the city too, when ...

My resolutions are not about big changes to my life. I am pretty much content. with most things I learned a lot in 2015, and in 2016, my resolutions are to apply those learnings. I have nothing against you if you do not like making resolutions because you do not keep them anyway, but I like having a target to hit. I have accomplished enough to keep me happy. Goal setting for me, is an important part of that. Overall, for me, 2016 is the year of being  the most true to my authentic self a...