By Sandy Sanderson
An apology to regular readers of this Web site. You’ll have noticed the site hadn’t been updated for a week. There is a reason, which I will share with you as soon as the full details are available, likely sometime this week.
In the meantime, I have updated pertinent articles and information to bring them up to date.
I appreciate the comments readers send to me, pro and con.
Rick Hermann did challenge my posting regarding the proposed hike in school district property taxes. He says the proposed $2.51 increase is too high and will stifle commercial growth.
The point of that commentary was to make the public aware that this cash reserve shortfall didn’t happen overnight. It’s taken at least 10 years to create the situation.
Rick may have a point. I simply was trying to let the public, particularly newcomers to Ankeny, how the situation evolved. I’m not locked into the $2.51 figure. I simply believe it’s time to start taking care of the situation.
As many of you know, I have a hobby of playing rhythm guitar and singing. Over the past few months I’ve been working with three very fine musicians in forming and perfecting a band.
The other members are Clark Cleghorn of Carlisle, our drummer; Larry Martin of Des Moines, our bass player; and Randy Love of Ankeny, our lead guitar player. They carry me very well.
We are a dance band, specializing in Rock ‘n Roll and upbeat country. The name may give you some idea of our focus – Stuck In Reverse.
Stuck In Reverse will be the house band for the PMECI (Professional Musicians and Entertainers Club of Iowa) monthly Hawkeye Jamboree Sunday, May 16, at the American Legion, 3712 Second Ave., in Des Moines. It is an excellent venue and one of the featured entertainers is Buddy Hollly impressionist Richie Lee.
The doors open at noon and the PMECI offers and excellent lunch. Admission at the door is $6 for adults, $5 for members and $2 for children 7-10. The show begins at 1:30 p.m.
The band has a lot of fun working up new songs. We even composed one to explain our thoughts about Stuck In Reverse. While it’s not quite ready for a performance, the words may give you some idea about the band’s character:
STUCK IN REVERSE
We’re like a fine wine, aged to perfection
But are having trouble figuring out our direction.
We remember when belt loops were worn at the waist
Hiding all cracks in the name of good taste.
Exploring all avenues when we rehearse
We find ourselves in idle or stuck in reverse.
CHORUS:
IF LIFE WERE A GEAR BOX AND WE COULD SHIFT OUR PLANS
WE COULD CONTROL OUR SPEED ON LIFE’S SHIFTING SANDS.
BUT EVEN THEN WE RUN THE RISK OF STRIPPING THE GEARS
LETTING LIFE SPEED BY AND LOSING PRECIOUS YEARS.
AND WE REALLY DON’T KNOW WHICH IS BETTER OR WORSE
IDLING IN NEUTRAL, OR BEING STUCK IN REVERSE.
Tags: Late update, school taxes, Stuck In Reverse