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

more memo

memo continued.. Entry fees for swimmers (on a per event basis) are collected by the host team. 20% of those fees goes to Fla Gold Coast Swimming Assn., the remaining 80%remain with the host team. There is also a "facility" charge which is the money usually set aside for the rental of the pool facility for the meet. This fee raised $798 ($3 per swimmer times 266 swimmers) toward the $1350 payment of the pool rental charge to the City.... these are figures for the last pool meet, I assume, and are 60-100 less swimmers than the meet Directors said were there. It is certainly open to conjecture if the city officials consistently underestimate and under-report the numbers of swimmers, at meets and at practices. Comments? medals, ribbons, awards, pay to officials (starter, stroke and turn judges, meet officials, food for coaches, etc.) are paid out of these funds... those appear to be valid expenses but dont sound like they are all that expensive, less than $1000, when compared to the monies taken in by the host team (estimated to be over 15k for the last meet).