Bleak Outlook or Bleak Boy Bleating

Imagine if you went into a store and had a conversation with the proprietor or staff member like this:

You: “Hello, I would like to inquire about your services”

Store: “Hi there, you may ask us anything”

You: “Great! Tell me about your services”

Store: “We will provide answers to your questions, just ask”

You: (getting a little aggravated) “I AM asking”

Store: “And we will answer you”

You: “So, what is the answer?”

Store: “We answer questions, M-F 9-5PM”

You: (running out the door) “ARGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” 

Now keep this little encounter in mind when reviewing the following doom and gloom:

STEVE SAID: “We cannot subsidize operational costs by raiding the fund balance,” he wrote. “Yet that is exactly what was done these past few years.” “We are going to be presenting to the legislature in the next few weeks some collaborative efforts among departments on how we can save money. We need to cancel contacts that are unnecessary and we are in the midst of doing that now; I signed two cancellation letters in the last week. We will continue to streamline the county government.” (Maybe we should add: “Cancel all extreme expenses like unnecessary construction costs in excess of 12 million”-Auntie Alibi)

This is a financial forecast in response to the questions posed by Jeff Berkman, Minority Leader of the Legislature.

It might as well have been: (and before you go crazy, this is fiction, for illustrative purposes only)

Jeff: “Please explain the details of the 60 million dollar deficit”

Steve: “We have a $60 million deficit caused by the previous administration”

Jeff: “Could you give details?”

Steve: “Refer to my financial forecast”

Jeff “But the forecast doesn’t give details/exact numbers as to how we are in such a state”

Steve: “We will develop and send reports to the legislature anytime they ask.”

Jeff: “WE are asking”

Steve: “It was Eddie’s fault”

Jeff: “Now come on…”

Steve: “Valley View (x)-$7 million=$60 million - y (if y=$75 million + 9.5 million”)

 (for those of you not mathematically inclined): Steve is to Eddie as Obama is to Bush 
 

 Argh!!!


 
 Orange County Executive Branch in action