After the meetings this week of Marion County Commission and Marion City Council, I am concerned.

This year’s budgets are tight with no wiggle room for unplanned purchases and next year doesn’t look too great.

Some reserve funds have been used to cover unbudgeted expenses.

Mill levies will have to be increased to cover operating expenses. Utilities and other fees probably will go up.

And who is left to pay them? The consumer. I’m tired of paying so much for fuel, groceries, and other necessities of life. And I’m even more tired, especially this week, that it’s not going to get better any time soon.

I hope and pray that our elected officials will make informed and intelligent decisions from here on out.

I know how we got here but the real question is “Where are we going?”

*****

Boy, was it hot this past week. How hot was it? It was so hot that some crayons that were in a basket in the back seat of my car actually melted.

I have a basket of goodies to keep our two youngest grandsons occupied to make their ride (and mine) more pleasant. The basket includes an activity book, game, and of course, crayons. I never dreamed that those wax-based products would melt but they did.

The crayons actually melted out of the paper wrappers, ran out of the basket, and on to the leather seats. I’m still working on the best solution to remove the mess.

*****

This primary election coming up next week is going to be doozey. I don’t remember this much excitement and anticipation since, well, the last city election.

Judging from signs in yards and along highways, candidates are wanting to win.

I wish them all well and just hope that those who do win the confidence of Marion County voters will be just as enthusiastic in office as they were when they were campaigning.

*****

Covering another car accident this past week reminded me to get on one of my many soap boxes.

The wreck I reported occurred at the U.S.-56/77/K-150 intersection, just east of Marion. That dangerous intersection has been the scene of several serious accidents, this most recent included.

When I go to the scene of an accident, I am not there to criticize driving habits or judge victims. I was told a long time ago by a law enforcement officer that there are no such things as “accidents.” Most vehicular collisions are preventable and are caused by human error.

That being said, I hate to see when a second human error occurs — not wearing seat belts.

There are as many excuses as there are accidents as to why adults and their children do not buckle up.

I am thrilled that law enforcement is cracking down on those who don’t wear seat belts. I know the threat of a ticket still may not be enough reason for some to buckle up but I sure hope the next time a person reads about a serious car accident, they think about it.

— SUsan berg