Morocco gets approved

This just in from the License Commission: Morocco on Shrewsbury Street has been approved for live entertainment.

Old-time web marketing

Official Worcester websites aren’t exactly known for their timeliness, but this might be a new standard for…something.  “Destination Worcester,” the group which was established to “re-energize visitor sales and marketing efforts for the City and, indirectly, the region” might want to start with their website.  While the group has been visible in several community efforts [...]

We Be out

We’re onto the orders under suspension now; we’re out for the night.  Check us out tomorrow, and the print edition on Thursday for more.

Negative Analysis

Here’s Clancy’s negative spin: If we add up snow removal, the trash bag fees, the airport, fire department and (he doesn’t mention it) the golf course…we’re looking at a $3 million gap. How do we make that up?
O’Brien’s response?: We’re looking at it. The airport negotiations are ongoing, the upward trending revenues in tax [...]

The what-if game

There’s a lot of guessing and hypotheticals going on between City Auditor James delSignore, CFO Tom Zidelis, City Manager Michael O’Brien and the councilors about why certain revenues and expenditures are up or down.
For example, the conversation about the fire budget–one councilor just raised the spectre of closing more stations; the City Manager called that [...]

Budget Analysis, Part One

Why are excise tax collections up?  Barbara Haller wants to know, but isn’t getting a good straight answer.
Our first overall impression: There is not NEARLY the doom and gloom we’ve heard from the City Manager in other budget presentations.  We’ll see what April’s proposal for 2009 brings, but right now, this wasn’t nearly as dramatic [...]

More budget stuff

Golf course deficit is projected….
SUMMARY:

98% of General Fund Revenues are on budget
Surpluses in Excise Taxes could offset some shortfalls
Improvements in Collection Process has results
Expenditures on target, except for Fire Dept. OT and Snow Removal

FY09 Challenges

Healthcare costs
Energy Costs
FY09 Budget Recommendation will be submitted in April for early deliberation

8:25,/ins>

Budget: Expenditures

Expenditure budget is in line with mid-year projections
Fire Dept. OT is expected to generate a year end deficit: lower manpower, and more fires
Police Dept Salaries/OT is projected to generate a surplus
Fuel costs are through the roof
Snow removal is in deficit

FY08 Water and Sewer Revenues are bein affected by lower usage (See, that’s why water conservation [...]

City Manager’s Budget Presentation: Revenues

Looks like we’re on par for revenues so far YTD in Property Taxes and other key areas
We’re ahead in Motor Vehicle Excise taxes YTD
Ahead in License and Permit revenues, but those will cool in the second half of the year
Trash Bag sales may fall behind FY08 revenue estimates

8:19

Clancy on the NFL

And a bit of revisionist - or at least NFL centric - history from Clancy, who claims that the NFL had to “step in” to get the Patriots game on local networks when Charter wasn’t carrying the NFL Network.
Except that it was more than just Charter—it was a nationwide issue with several cable companies.
7:43