I am the first to admit that my construction knowledge and experience is modest- I can 3-4-5 a corner- but, fortunately for me, I have some friends who have over 20 years in the construction business. I rely on them to give me accurate facts and figures on construction projects. While its true that numbers coming from the City are frequently suspect, if anything, I believe that the numbers I received in the FOIs are underestimates of how much was spent on these construction projects. I doubt seriously that the work was completed for less, and that for some reason, they are reporting it cost more. To the contrary, it is probably the opposite. While I am not a construction expert, I AM pretty good at spotting psychological symptoms, which IS my area of expertise. For instance, I can spot denial pretty easily- like a denial that the deepening recession will have any substantial effect on us here in MS. Its either complete and total denial, or stupidity beyond belief, or corruption. You choose. Maybe some of each. Have a nice day. Dr. Mel Johnson

Denial is not a river

Personal bankruptcies surged to more than 1 million filings in the United States in 2008 -- the most since a rewrite of bankruptcy laws went into effect in 2005. Filings of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies rose 33% in 2008 as the economy worsened, according to data from U.S. bankruptcy courts and compiled by bankruptcy data firm Automated Access to Court Electronic Records. Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows people to pay off debts under a three- to five-year plan; Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows for a discharge of all debts. In 2007, there were 819,115 such filings in the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The number rose to 1,086,130 in 2008 as the recession took hold. That's nowhere near the record of 2.1 million filings in 2005, as consumers rushed to file before a federal bankruptcy reform law went into effect and made filings more difficult and expensive, but it's still a significant leap. The pain of bankruptcy was spread unevenly, but it was everywhere. Not one jurisdiction showed a decrease in filings, whether measured on a per capita basis or by the raw numbers of filings. (AP) when will our city officials realize that the country, the state, and the cities are in BIG financial trouble? When, if ever, will they start tightening their municipal belts? We have been in a recession for OVER a year officially, and we are acting like it has NO effect here! Denial is NOT a river in Egypt.