HB1728 seems to have died in the Senate. You can follow all the action here. The local restaurant owners must be breathing a sigh of relief that they are backed from the edge of bankruptcy because of a 1% tax.

Cue “I’m Just A Bill” from Schoolhouse Rock.

Then they shouldn’t charge TWO DOLLARS (or close to it) for a Coke or Sweet Tea.

Robin Fant’s quote in this AM SDN of “our guests need to keep more of their hard-earned money in their wallets” rang pretty hollow.

If he is that concerned, then lower the price non-alcoholic drinks (the only kind at Bulldog Deli/Peppers) to under $1.50. Or better yet, $1. That would more than offset a 1% increase in the tax and save the aforementioned customer money.

No confirmation about the “golfman1″ rumor of Thornell’s department. At this point, it is pure, unverified rumor.

But we do know that the GDSP executive board met Thursday night in executive session. Sources indicate it was a longer than usual meeting.

The SDN has an pretty good round up here. I thought that the “received multiple calls” line was pretty telling. There does seem to be something floating out there.

The Meg Jones departure, less than 6 months after her hiring, is also confirmed.

The next meeting of the GSDP board should be interesting.

A reader posted the following comment under the “transfer” post:

# Dogbone1 Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 11:13 am

Thornell is history as of last night. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Anybody willing to touch that one with a ten foot pole?

Email rcoblentz@gmail.com.

Yesterday the Mississippi House passed the private bill providing a 1 percent increase in the restaurant and lodging tax 114-6. It heads to the Senate next. If passed there, it must be passed with a 60% vote in Starkville.

Interesting language from the SDN this morning:

Section 2-2a of the bill states that the revenues from the increased tax may be used to “pay the debt service on any debt incurred by the city for the construction and/or acquisition, equipping and furnishing of public facilities including, but not limited to, such things as public buildings, business incubators, a conference center and public works projects.”

The 1% can be used for ANY public building. With the general distrust of this BOA and Administration, the common misgiving I hear is that the money will be used for something other than construction and upkeep of a convention center.

The other sentiment is that this Board can’t build a much, much needed City Justice building, implement an infrastructure plan to remedy bad roads and an aging sewer system, so why the hurry to build a convention center.

I think a convention center is a must and a 1% addition to what is an optional tax is a good compromise. BUT THE BOA MUST USE THE MONEY FOR THE INTENDED PURPOSE. A bait and switch is a real fear.

The political reality is that this Board’s term is for all effective purposes up in 8 months. This Board began with such promise and has accomplished little. If any current members harbor any hopes for reelection, this must do something production and cooperative for the city. Now.

Word floating around town (from several sources) is that a new departure is about to be announced from the GSDP offices. Signs indicate that Coordinator of Volunteers and Events Meg Jones has resigned.

Any feedback?

Potentially west of Highway 25 bypass, the Oasis Resort and Suites sounds a little more coast than Starkville. Manicures, pedicures and hotels all across a 110,000 square foot facility.