Free Republic

An inspector for the city of Jacksonville, Florida has been suspended for her behavior after citing the owner of Jaguar Power Sports for flying military flags on a rooftop display. The flags were apparently in violation of code. But it was the behavior of the inspector, Melinda Power, that got her in hot water with the mayor's office and led to her suspension. A customer, a wounded warrior, overheard her citing the owner and objected. Her response was that he “did nothing for this country.”

After weeks of public bickering over the city's pension crisis, San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy and several other top city officials were summoned to a frank meeting yesterday with federal investigators. It was the second known such meeting in six weeks and the first involving Murphy as well as City Manager Lamont Ewell and City Council members Scott Peters and Toni Atkins. Underscoring the gravity of the talks, the meeting included several representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission, federal prosecutors and at least one FBI agent. The SEC, FBI and Justice Department have been investigating city finances for more...

<p>Part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's $99.1 billion budget proposal unveiled Friday calls for shifting $1.3 billion in property taxes from cities and counties to help pay the state's bill to schools.</p> <p>Even in conservative south Sacramento County, the governor's proposal elicited howls from local officials.</p>

(Danbury-AP Dec. 17, 2002 8:00 AM)_ Danbury officials have told several Danbury places of worship they can't help out the homeless. The effort to open places of worship to homeless people turned away from city shelters has hit a snag. City officials told three area churches and one synagogue they can't take in the homeless this winter because their buildings do not meet local zoning regulations and state fire codes. Churches, homeless advocates and city officials have been meeting to come up with a short-term solution to provide the homeless with a warm place to stay this winter. Officials say...