ruling by fiat, or royal decree

Annexation is only an oppurtunity if the probable benefits outweigh the probable liabilities. DUE DILIGENCE needs to be done before those probabilities can be sorted out. When MILLIONS of the taxpayers dollars are on the line possibilities are not enough. Would you rather invest your monies in a possibility or a probability? Due diligence is what should make the difference between a possible benefit to the residents of MS and the probable benefit to us, if, in fact, the benefits truly exist. Due diligence is needed to look at ALL the possible benefits and potential drawbacks so that an informed decision can be made, balancing one against the other. Judging from the total LACK of due diligence in the new gym caper it is extremely doubtful that the majority of the Council has any desire to, or intentions of, actually DOING due diligence! It IS their obligation as public servants and stewards of our tax monies BUT, since they pushed thru the multi-million dollar gym project without even the appearances of doing due diligence, will probably try to do the same thing again. We will see tonight if it will be a pep rally for the proponents or a serious and detailed discussion of the several important issues involved.