I arrived at the City TnT hearing Monday 12/12 a little late, as usual, sorry to say...so I later realized that I'd missed something that at the time I'd mischaracterized as a deserved somber mood that I thought was possibly due to some 'spent' anger and misdirected complaint. Perhaps, I thought, all had realized we were all in this together and may have even felt a bit chagrined over the display at prior TnT hearings. The mood was pensive and I thanked all, when I spoke, for the respectful atmosphere not evident at the County and School hearings. The next afternoon I heard about Councilman McConnell's stroke and incapacity the day before and I understood the felt mood of the day before differently.. Reminders of mortality have a way of calling most of us to our 'best selves'...of course Monday evening there were still some claiming that America is 'all about ME' and I felt uncomfortable on their behalf...and also those that are concerned about those on fixed incomes. I shared with some a sheet of info from the state re: help for residences experiencing increase above a certain amount. Not much interest when one individual revealed his real agenda which was to decrease the total tax levy. I hope those individuals will take it up with the state and quit beating up our local officials. When I saw that Jean McConnell wasn't at the hearing on Monday I thought, "Well good for him, he's an old man and what benefit is there in him getting yelled at." I'll check in again soon after I absorb what's happened... - Haveahope