It’s Almost Over

This is the time of the year when folks really want to relax and spend some time with the family. The days are warm and the water on the local lakes looks good. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most hectic times for many people. The grind in on for both the county and schools as the rush to finish the current fiscal year and the budget for the next fiscal year is on. For students and teachers, they are knee deep in testing and for those of us that are just a regular Joe going to work day after day, the days really are seeming longer. So, what do we do when the frustration sets in and you can’t afford the time or have the finances for a long weekend get away? You hold on with both hands and keep your eye on the prize ( which is some quality down time).

Fairly soon, within weeks, the budget committee will send the recommended budget document to the full County Commission for approval and we will all know just how much the next fiscal year will cost each of us. Remember, as the talk turns pennies and taxes over the next few weeks that for most of us it is really a moot point. Even a dime increase on the property taxes won’t impact the majority of local property owners enough to be really noticed. One less trip to a fast food joint will likely cover any increases that most will incur. Now those big property owners, and we still have a few of them left in Jefferson County, they may cringe a little if the property tax is increased but those that have more pay more. That is just the way our tax structure is set on a local, state and national level.

For parents, soon the endless string of ball games will cease as will the seemingly unlimited number of tests. Your children will be free from the shackles of the structure of education for much of the summer and you will revel in spending time as a family. Well, for a few weeks at least and then it always appears that the spare time gets old and the boredom sets in. At least you won’t be rushing around dragging kids from place to place. By the time August rolls around both parents and kids will be ready for a new school year.

And for the rest of us, we will see the world slow down as the heat sets in. The lazy days of summer are within sniffing distance and we all have our nose in the air. The stress of budgets and taxes and tests and taxi service is over until the excitement of fall is in the air. Hold on to your sanity, it is almost time for some fun.

If you are lucky enough to have a mother on this earth, please do not let this week go by without making her know that she is special and loved. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there from the Jefferson County Post! You certainly make our world turn.