Wednesday Wit & Wisdom

• I always find it interesting when a web-based writer takes time out of his life to tell print products how to fix their businesses. Of course, to date, I really haven't seen a web-based news product that is making money hand-over-fist for a sustained period of time. That being said, some the advice offered in this piece is spot on. Being involved in a community should be a news organization's top priority.

• I heard from someone in the know yesterday that TISD's police chief has been dismissed and the search is on for a new one. One little birdie told me the name of one of the prospects for the job. I'm not ready to let that name out of the bag just yet, but I will say if TISD hires this Desert Storm vet and Fort Bend County native, they're making the right choice.

• I attended meetings in Kaufman and Terrell yesterday where folks praised State Rep. Betty Brown for speaking up in support of the State Hwy. 34 projects at a recent Regional Transportation Council meeting.

• Justin Denney's family watched on as he ascended the Cumberland County Civic Center stage during graduation Friday night to accept his diploma, but the superintendent told him to return to his seat. Mary Denney said she can't believe how her son's taking a bow and blowing a kiss on stage was grounds for the superintendent to withhold his diploma. Link.

• With budget season right around the corner, area city leaders can't be too happy to keep seeing their monthly sales tax rebates drop. Blame it on the economy or whatever else you want, but the harsh truth of the matter is some cities are going to have to take a hard look at cutting some of their plans for 2010. In Terrell, it might actually mean cutting the city's proposed street maintenance program, which would save $300,000. Of course, when it comes to street maintenance, to turn a phrase I heard from one city official yesterday, is being pennywise really foolish?

• "I continue to be fascinated by how New Yorkers see all those evangelical Christians out there and by how Christians of the Heartland look at all those heathen New Yorkers. It’s a staredown of sorts, based on some real truths, assumptions and myths on both sides." An interesting take on how we perceive things.