City of Zeeland Budget

Last night we finished up a two night overview of the City of Zeeland  2011 / 2012 budget. While not the most exciting of sessions, they were no less important. What was evident over that last two nights was Federal and State influences on our budget  This year the Governors office has laid out specific proposed legislation that City's, Townships, Villages will have to follow in order to obtain state revenue sharing, a direct impact to their general funds. Units of government will have a check list to meet if they wish to receive Revenue Sharing. 

• Accountability and transparency performance dashboard October 1, 2011
• Develop plans for Consolidation and collaboration January 1,2012
• Address employee compensation

Other influences we saw were things like the FCC narrow banding project forcing city's all over the country to buy new radios for police fire and municipalities. Tools like the Brownfield Credits that are used for  economic and environmental development are proposed to go away. We may see rules for City employee Healthcare requirements, pension rules, Green power (a whole topic by itself).

All that said. They City of Zeeland is financially sound and will be able to meet the pending proposed legislation requirements, thanks to sound planning over the last few years. Over the next several weeks we will refine our budget, propose a mileage rate ( no increase is proposed) and then a vote to pass the budget. 

Be Safe

Change it up

My running partner and I have been hitting runs together 2 to 3 days a week. This past week her schedule  prevented her from any runs together, except for the our long this weekend. We both spit off and ran with other people and did different things. We both got different types of speed work in, and we both saw times on our Garmins that we were happy to see.

So often routine for one person gets you in that rut and your out there just because. Same happens with two people I believe as well.  Mixing up your routines and mixing with other runners forces you to get out of the box and try something different. Think of it as cross training across different people. Being flexible in your training can bring you good results and get to know some new people too. 

Don't get me wrong it will be nice to run with Amy again this Sunday. Hope we can wear shorts too.

Run safe Run Strong

Took a slush shower

I have become a firm believer that the only people who pay attention to runners and bikers are just that, runners and bikers. Today was just not our day, from the elderly lady who gave us the finger today, and no not that one, the one pointing back and forth at us to move over. Not sure where we were supposed to go and since the truck in front of her moved we really didn't see why she didn't either. And since we were running in the gravel already our choices were a ditch or finger ladies hood. My running partner and I do make it a point to do a "thank you wave" to drivers who do move over or who brake and hold back traffic to let us pass. To top it all of today at mile 6 or 7, a small straight truck decided that he wanted to douse a couple of runners and moved over to hit the giant slush pile and shower us with cold slimy slush. I am certain the driver was getting a pretty good chuckle, least someone did. 

So what side of the steering wheel are you? Is is that hard to move over, Especially during the winter season? for the runner, biker, and the walker? I am pretty sure that the finger lady is a firm believer in lines, and you better not be in them. That said, when your driving make sure you move over if only to teach the driver behind you.

Despite that we managed to crank out 10 miles of snowy roads, and solve a few of the worlds problems at the same time.

As always be safe.

Eat like crap then run

Running with friends sometimes forces you to be a bit flexible. Move your long a day here or there, schedule times differently. Maybe you have to work, maybe the weather one day is better than the other. When being flexible be sure to plan what you eat accordingly. Don't be like me this past weekend.

My son had made some Hormel dip for his lunch and it sure smelled and tasted so good, and I didnt have to cook my own lunch. Little did I know I would get a text an hour or two later and it read "lets get our 8 miles in now"  My running partenr and I  opted to run Saturday afernoon in the sun rather than the pending ice / winter storm that was predidcted on Sunday. Awesome right?

Yup 8 miles of Hormel dip jumping around in my stomach. Forced me to walk a few times just to let my stomach settle down.  Hartburn really bad at mile 7, pushed to just be done and end the stomach lurching.

It was good that I had an understanding running partner who slowed with me when I needed too, and told me to suck it up in the last mile and a half .

Guess that was my reminder that eating better before my longs is a must.

Good stomach = Good Run

Do the doo part Deux

Ah the subtle hints of spring, the days get longer, the weather breaks, the roads are clearer, the side walks show up again. And last but not least the dog doo, lots and lots of it. As I went on my morning run it became a dog doo mine field. I started jumping, skipping and hopping to the next safe spot. I know i was getting laughed at by passerby's that saw me acting like Super Mario. Storm was even getting into the act zig zagging between the danger that lay ahead. He looked up at me, I told him he was right, people just don't think. (don't tell me you don't talk to your dog [insert pet here]) It seemed to span several blocks, traffic cleared and I was able to get back to the safety of the road. 

Anyone who sees me our for a run will often see me with my dog Storm, a nice sized black lab, they will also often see me with a white bag swinging from one of my arms. And if you haven't guessed, it is not running snacks in there. I tend to carry it to the next garbage can, or home and discard it there. I guess people have other uses for those plastic bags you get from the grocery store, or figure the snow will cover it up, or maybe its biodegradable. 

Not every one lets their dogs doo litter the landscape, many are responsible with their pets. And thanks to them for doing what is right. I find it funny, yet sad that we many units of government have laws against doo dropping. drop a Google search and you will find over 100,000 hits.

If you feel as I do please link this, maybe if we spread the word a bit we wont have as many doo land mines. And be sure to thank those who carry bags or buckets for their pets.

/tread safely and cleanly

Tri what

Attending a meeting about doing the millennium triathlon in August, with a group from church.

Hmm not sure what to think about that yet.

Be Smart Be Safe

Out running this past friday morning and it was a bit dark out so i grabbed one of those obnoxious led blinking lights and placed it squarely on the front side of my bright yellow Brooks Night life coat, and lit the front of me up with bright red LED goodness. Storm ( my dog) and I took the run easy, as the roads were a bit snowy and icey. About a mile in, I saw a car backing out of the driveway and I knew right away he did not see me. I stopped and allowed him to back up. All of a sudden the car lurched to a stop. I think the presence of my dog and I standing there with only a few between us and the car, must have scared him, cause he just sat there blocking the road staring at us. This was not my first run in with a car that didn't see me nor will it by my last.

Don't assume

Never assume anyone sees you. Good running form says to look straight ahead, good advice if only to see that car backing out of their driveway or not moving over if your sharing the road. Even though you may have the right away doesn't mean you need to go toe to toe with a 2000 car, you wont win.

Light up my life

Be sure to have a some kind of light on you, if only to give cars a better chance to see you. Head lamp, bright LED blinky light etc. Most running gear has some kind of reflective material on it.. 

Be Alert

Being alert of your situation is key. Take responsibility for your own safety. Did you know that the cross walk are for cars? Me either, but I have had it more than once being in the middle of the crosswalk and getting dirty look from a driver trying to turn the corner. Point is just be alert to what is happening around you. Maybe one ear bud is enough? I saw a news article that some areas are making it against the law for a runner to have music in both ears.

Call me please

Take a cell phone with you. I personally do not take one on runs shorter than 10 miles simply I have no place to put it. Once I hit about 10 i tend to carry water in my Amphipod belt. And my Amphipod has a zip pouch that I place my phone in. (in a zip lock bag).

Sometime I feel i could be lit up like a Christmas tree and no one would still see me. Don't assume and Run safe