The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to everyone in western Illinois. I'm a hope'n everyone is enjoy'n this spring like weather in January.
Well, granted it is not exactly like spring weather, but after all of that snow and zero and below zero temperature weather, it sure seems like spring like weather to me.
The 7.0 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, in Haiti, certainly has caught, and deserves to have caught, everyone's attention.
It was a strike-slip fault oriented west to east type earthquake. A strike-slip fault occurs when two portions of the earth's crust are sliding past each other sideways.
I reckon enough has been said and written on the matter such that whatever I might add would only detract.
They certainly need our help and prayers, down there, both for the victims and the workers.
The government came out with this updated crop report, which caused the grain market to "go to pot in a bushel basket". Farmers are hold'n tight to unsold grain at this time, a figure'n the basis will improve or they won't sell into the marketplace. But then, as cropping expenses come along one might change their minds and move grain to pay their bills.
One of the bills or increased expense I hear farmers complain about, at the coffee shop, is one in which an elevator is figure'n their dry'n charges on wet bushels rather than dry bushels.
That concept, when introduced to this part of the state, flew over like a lead balloon. Thank goodness most of the ole reliable stand by elevators are not going along with the concept for now.
Much talk, this time of year, has centered at the increase in assessment for taxes. Seems like most often heard is the complaint that assessment has frequently increased around 10%.
Then I read where someone in the county is want'n to increase taxes even more by start'n a rural water system.
He is quoted as having said most of our wells are polluted with chemicals, so I reckon the idea is to scare everyone into gettn' on board with the project. I suppose, in many cases, it would make sense but I would think a better case could be made for the project rather than fear of well contamination.
It reflects poorly on our farmers and I wish he would stop it. Least wise I know my wells are not contaminated and the farmers I'm acquainted with are exceedingly careful to maintain it that way.
In Iowa, their rural water system pulls from the Mississippi River, as does Galesburg. I know folks who won't eat the fish out of that river, let alone drink the water.
Besides, some folk feel once a government entity controls your water supply, they gots you right where they wants you. If'n you don't pay your child support, alimony, and I suppose eventually your dog tax, they'll shut off your water.
I know a feller in one of the local towns who rents out houses and apartments. He claims once a tenant falls behind in his obligations the quickest way to get some action is shut off the water supply. It wouldn't take long for the government to figure that one out and how to put the pinch on you. Look how they use your "driving privileges" and license loss to coerce, act-on in a number of different situations.
As for me and my household, I'm stick'n with the age old adage which states, "Once you crawl in bed with government your gonna get more than a good nights sleep outa the deal". You do as you like and as circumstances dictate. Myself, I'm develop'n a fatigue for the government mess'n so close to individuals lives.
Right now the citizens of the U.S. owe $12.3 trillion in treasury debt to banks, individuals, and foreigners.
That's about $40,000 per person living in the U.S., not counting the amount our states owe, and for that matter what we owe to our individual creditors, wouldn't water debt only add to the deficit problem?
Eventually, it is not hard to imagine, we would have to incur great expense to protect the rural water supply from the terrorists or perceived western Illinois haters. More taxes for that protection as well, it is assumed.
Who knows what the government might demand to be added to the public water system to "Protect" our health or that of our children. For now I'm stick'n with my 75 foot deep well, but I promise to keep an open mind on the matter.
I imagine by now, you've picked who you are votin' for in the upcomin' Illinois Primary Tuesday, February 3rd. If'n you haven't, make sure you look at the ballots in the newspapers. Check who's runnin'-ask some questions -select the best for the job.
Next week the Hancock County ballots will be in The Hancock Quill as an insert in the county-wide newspapers put in by Hancock County Clerk Kerry Asbridge. This week, Marcella Cisna has ballots inside The Henderson County Quill that list those running in Henderson County.
By know you know the Massachussets Senatorial election voted to fill the vacant seat of the late "Ted" Kennedy.
In a sweeping upset in a state where democrats outnumber republicans by a great majority, Republican Scott Brown has been declared the winner by the concession of Democrat Martha Coakley.
This vodes great change for the future in the United States giving Republicans the 41 majority vote in the Senate. Many voters were elated saying, "My vote actually counts."
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya Later
Barnyard Bruke