It wasn’t an unexpected turn of events, most people thought it would happen. He’s not been in the best of shape. Not the woist, but not the best. Dave Collins has been the actin’ superior officer with the brigade and the search now goes on fer a successor. Will Collins git it? Has he applied? Who else has applied?

A lotta people are lookin’ at this from a couple angles over there in shore. Y’see, the West Shore Taxpayers Association, which now has the balance of power on the commission, might have its own idea as to who might be best to fill the spot. The TA is now a player and not jest a stone-thrower. The organization is inside the glass house, yew might say.

Tennyrate, there is some talk as to whom that organization might be favoring as the new chief. Then there are the favorites of the various factions within the department. It’ll be very interestin’ to see whot’s whot.

~~~

Of course, the thing that everyone is watchin’ over there as well is how the money is holdin’ out. The voters over there voted fer no tax increase and are hopin’ against hope that they get no more retirements cuz they won’t be able to handle them.

But, accordin’ to Sammy Bluejay, the districk’s gotta watch its kopecks like a hawk, cuz there is a fear the budget passed won’t make it through the year. Effen that happens all Hades is gonna break loose, and the people responsible will be in a heap o’ bovine do-do.

~~~

Meanwhile, the fracas over JoAnn Callegari getting her benefits reinstated has not let up. Nelly Nuthatch told me that the council was to consider it this week at their confabulation. As Cobina scribes this missive before the meetin’ she can only report whot she’s hoid thus far.

It seems that an effort is gonna be made to repeal the benefits that Stewey Arotsky unilaterally decided to order back. Nelly sez that every time the subjeck comes up Nancy Rossi has daggers in her eyes. Effen I was Arotsky, I wouldn’t look straight into her eyes, lest he toin to stone….just like Medusa, no?

How this is gonna shake out is anyone’s guess, but the fack the city reinstated them puts the council right behind the proverbial eight ball. Takin’ them away now, might give Callegari more ammo when she takes this matter to the bar of justice. It’s a mess and Arotsky better wear his steel union suit.

One more thing about the registrars’office, I yam told that the decision has already been made as to whom will fill the executive assistant’s position when Mrs. Hufcut takes office in the new year. It’s a well connected member of the former administration I’m told and he’s gonna be given a situation that is official rather than the consultin’ woik that he’s done in the past.

Once the announcement is made later this year, yew’ll remember that yew hoid it here first. And, we’ll all know who the power behind the throne is, cuz there’s little chance he would’ve got the position any other way.

~~~

Before I go on any further, Cobina wants to tell yew that she did have a conversation with the ever lovely and vivacious Merlie Mae and thing seem to be going along about as swimmingly as one could expeck. The poor dear had a serious infection that had to be taken care of, and sez that she feels better than she’s had in a long time. For the foist time in a dog’s age I could remember talking to her where she didn’t go into a coughing jag. She’s back at skool and seems to her ol’ self again.

Meanwhile, woid is that Stevey Dargan who had his own isshews on the medical front seems to be doin’ super. Let’s hope that things are OK with him on the long term.

~~~

In the Better Times Ahead Dept., Iva Lootey came in t’other afternoon and sez that the Savin Court apartment rehab is a bigger story than anyone is lettin’ on. Y’see, sweets, the choo-choo station played a big part in the decision to buy and rebuild the dilapidated area.

Frum whot Iva sez the developer sees big times ahead with the building of the station and the types of individuals that will come into that area. There are other plans around there, and it could me a major revitalization for that section of town.

Speakin’ of that, there are smiles on more than a few downtown merchants lately. It seems that whilst we may think differently at times, the traffic downtown is pickin’ up and some businesses are really on the upswing – and have the numbers to prove it.

~~~

With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,