Have you seen all the business news in your Tate Record over the past month and a half?
While we do put major crimes, pretty girls and pets on the front page, I prefer to see business data and business news on Page One that explain how city and county government collect and spend your money.
So let’s talk about the numbers and how they affect your life and mine.
Property Values
As a newcomer to Senatobia, I have been surprised at the cost of housing in this community. But I get it.
When you have something nice and of value, it has a nice price.
This community has good schools, low crime, a couple of really nifty restaurants, decent shopping and a bevy of niche stores downtown that make a trip to Senatobia worth your while.
Those factors make people want to move here, build a life here and retire here.
I hope Senatobia is always a family-friendly town for young couples, a great place to be a loud and proud graduating senior and a quiet place to be a senior citizen.
On the other hand if you are going to charge and get those high prices for your property, you are going to see property taxes go up. The county needs money too, and the number one line item that brings in the revenue is property taxes.
If you are a seller those prices look pretty good.
If you are a buyer . . .
You can draw your own conclusions.
See today’s story at the top of Page One.
Jobless Rate
Unemployment typically goes down in the spring, summer and fall as farms hire help, construction picks up and people look for ways to squirrel back a little cash for Christmas and the cold gray days of winter.
That is why we are a little perplexed at the most recent jobless claims.
This data seems to be reflected in surrounding counties, too.
Maybe it is government job cuts. Maybe it’s uncertainty in the direction of the economy and businesses are holding off on new hires. Maybe it’s inflation and businesses are cutting back on payroll to stay profitable.
I will be the first to say I don’t have all the answers, but I am a newspaperman and I will provide you with the data and information and maybe you can figure it out.
See the story in the middle of Page One.
County Fines
I have covered this unpaid fines story in communities in three states.
It seems there is always a large debt owed to society and no one can figure out how to collect it.
Ask any banker or accountant and they will tell you when debt is larger than gain, it’s time to close the books.
That applies to communities, too.
When people think they can break our laws without punishment, our city and county will soon break down.
See the Editorial on the left of this page.
Solving problems
I once had a banker in Vicksburg tell me deep pockets solve lots of problems.
That is a truth we all need to accept.
Senatobia and Tate County have their share of problems and while I will never be one who thinks throwing money at problems solves those problems, how money is spent can solve most problems.
Good solid businesses typically have good solid leaders at the top. Government is no different.
It is so easy to point to Washington and Wall Street as the source of our problems, but I don’t think the people in Washington and New York are going to find the right solutions for Senatobia and Tate County.
We are the only people with our best interest at heart. We are the people who can best solve our problems.
The Tate Record has offered you data about your community over the past few week.
I have offered you a couple of ideas in our visit today.
Keep reading your Tate Record.
Floyd Ingram is Editor of your Tate Record. Call Floyd at 662-562-4414 if you have ideas and solutions. Keep reading your hometown newspaper until you do.
