I agree with your comments... We as citizens in Hampton County are struggling with layoffs, furlows and fewer work hours in order to keep our jobs.  I haven't noticed the town or county employees being impacted.  They take the same holidays as state employees and enjoy some of the same benefits as the state employees, but they don't have furlowed days or cutbacks... and getting raises!  I will raise my hand as a person who did not receive a increase in pay and the elderly did not receive an increase in their social securty. Let's encourage industry... bring new jobs to the county... give us as taxpayers a reason to believe an increase in any fee or tax or a raise is justified.

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons the town is financially solvent is because they keep raising taxes and other fees.  I posted previously about how many times the town has raised property taxes the past ten years and it is rather alarming.  I haven't bothered to check how many times they have raised other fees such as on garbage, water and sewer.  And no doubt you don't have to be too concerned about spending when you just keeping soaking the residents with more taxes and fees. 

 I am sure there are a number of valid reasons why individuals haven't run for mayor or council over the years (this year being the exception).  And I don't think it is necessarily because the citizens think they are doing a good job. For me, I simply don't have the time to serve on council as I have to work to pay bills including the outrageous taxes and fees charged by Hampton County and the Town of Hampton.  I think another reason people haven't run is because they don't have the time for the aggrevation of holding a second job or the stomach for being criticized (unfortunatley it comes with the territory and even you Ms. Blumenstock are not immune because  you are a public servant). 

You should notice as well that I did not accuse anyone of ripping anyone off and neither did I say council is padding their palms.  But as is typical with Hampton Town Council, they do not fully justify their actions.  Exactly how much will it cost the town to dump trash at the landfill?  And how much will the $1 increase generate.  Is it break even, will the town run a loss, with the town realize a profit?  Or did council do as they have done in the past and just take the Mayor's word that the garbage fee needed to be raised $1 and not less.  The Mayor is quoted as saying that every department got what they requested.  Well, in these tough economic times, maybe they shouldn't have gotten everything they requested. And now we are spending $100,000 on a new parking lot...with unemployment the highest it has ever been in Hampton County. A couple of weeks ago the town agreed to spend $10,000 on a brand new website, and yet the town already has a website.  Imagine how much taxes could have been lowered if those items had been removed from the budget.  And yet you believe the town's spending practices are not out of control.  I could not disagree with you more!  And it is rather insulting to suggest I need a lesson in economics because I am misguided.  I have a full understanding of economics and know you can't place the blame with our economic development officials.  I could give you several paragraphs on why other locations are far more attractive for business and industry than Hampton County and you better believe prospective business and industry, site selectors and other economic development groups have that information as well.  By the way, you are incorrect that Beaufort County has lower taxes because of more industry. Beaufort County has very little industry to speak of.  In fact, the power structure has done a very good job of making it difficult to locate any industry there.