When stock market`s rise and fall on the latest government
statistics, some analysts estimate that in 2012 nearly half
of the world`s labor force will work in the `shadow economy,`
not accounted for by any government statistic.
Many believe that those numbers will grow steadily, as are
the money tied to those transactions.
Other terms used to express this same idea are `off-the-books,`
`cash` economy, `underground economy,` `black market,` and `System D.`
That last term originated in French colonies in
Africa and the Caribbean.
In 2009, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) estimated that half the world`s workers
or around 1.8 billion people work off the books. Their `jobs`
aren`t regulated, taxee, or in official statistics.
Similarly, a 2009 Deutsche Bank study concluded that people
in European countries with the largest shadow economies,
did better in the `Great Recession` than those with more
tightly regulated economies.
While statistics on the world`s `shadow economy`
are, by definition, impossible some people estimate that
it would be the world`s second largest economy, behind only
that of the U.S, with a `GDP` of $10 trillion.
One measure of the `shadow economy` is the amount of
U.S. currency held abroad. Again estimates vary, but
only 15% of U.S. currency is held by U.S. individuals
and businesses, leaving the location of 85% unknown.
One estimate puts the amount at around $300 billion.
The U.S. `shadow economy` is estimated by various
sources to be somewhere between $1.9 - $2.4 trillion
or around 15% of the total economy. If that estimate
is roughly correct, it implies that somewhere in the
vicinity of $500 billion in taxes is not being paid.
If those taxes were collected, the deficit would be
cut in half.
European estimates put the `shadow economy` at around
20% for the continent as a whole with places like
Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria having `shadow economies`
around 30% of their GDP while Switzerland`s is less
than 10%.
Country music has taken center state in towns across America. The
reality shows have all featured winners with a `twang` background.
Preston Summerville, a Polk County resident, has dreams of his own.
Summerville, whose family owns a chicken farm, has set his eyes
on the stage in hopes of making his dreams of becoming a country
music star a reality of its own. Listen to Preston not only
talk about his background and his love for singing and writing
his own music, but as he plays a little of his music!
`
Floyd Home Sales Up, Prices Down
- According to Greater Rome Board of Realtors president Jason Free,
40 single family homes were sold in January, up 9 from the same
time last year. For home sellers the bad news is that the average
price sold last month was $71,718, where last January it was
$119,660.
Flea Market Planned for Armuchee
- A flea market on the corner of Martha Berry Boulevard
and Walenda Drive in Armuchee was approved by the
Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission. The property was
once the home of a mobile home business.
Tellus to Present Paleotology of Georgia Lecture
- Tellus Northwest Georgia Science director Jose Santamaria, who
has spent more than 20 years collecting and studying Georgia
fossils, will present a brief snapshot of life from different
periods of Georgia`s past tonight at 7 pm . Although better known for its minerals,
geology, and mining history, the state has a very dynamic
paleontological history. From trilobites and brachiopods, to
dinosaurs and mastodons, all are part of a tale that spans more
than half a billion years. All lectures are free for members and included in the cost of
museum admission for non-members.
Charter School Amendment Passes Committee
- The state government would regain the right to approve charter
schools in Georgia under a constitutional amendment that cleared
a legislative committee Thursday. The Georgia House of
Representatives Education Committee voted to ask voters this
fall whether to reverse a state Supreme Court ruling last year
that overturned a 2008 law giving the state the power to approve
charter school applications rejected by local school boards.
Smith Retires from State Board of Directors
- Lisa Smith, executive director of the Greater Rome Convention &
Visitors Bureau, has retired from the board of directors for the
Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. She has
served on the board since 1999, the longest of any member of the
association.
Lindale Man Killed by Train in Floyd County
- Donald Hicks Jr of Lindale was struck and killed by a train on
Wednesday night. Reports say that the incident occured near the
railroad crossing at the old Lindale Mill. According to police
Hicks Jr. and another male was trying to cross the tracks, the
other male made it.
8 Arrested in Gordon County Meth Bust
- In the culmination of a 2 month investigation by the Gordon County
Sheriff`s Office`s Major Crimes Unit into methamphetamine
trafficking, Sheriff Ralston announced the arrest of 7 men and 1
woman for a variety of conspiracy, drug trafficking/distribution,
and weapons violations.
GNTC`s College Day 2012 a Success
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College hosted its Annual
College Day on Wednesday. The event provided a great
pportunity to showcase and promote GNTC’s programs of study.
Last year over 700 Juniors and Seniors from Floyd, Gordon and
Polk county visited the school.
Gordon Sheriffs Find Hanged Man in Resaca
- Gordon County Deputy Sheriff`s found a man dead in his home
on Battlefield Parkway this week. Authorities went to the house regarding a probation
issue and when deputies forced entry into the residence they found
that he had hanged himself. The m ale occupant had apparently
been dead for sometime.
Housing - No Bottom Yet
- For those hoping that 2011 would produce a `bottom` in
home prices, CoreLogic`s December Home Price Index (HPI®) report
didn`t provide any encouragement. Home prices in the U.S.
fell 4.7%, making it the fifth straight year of home
price declines.
Don`t Kick Me Off the Wagon...Please!
- Lobbyists are working hard to get industries that lost their
tax breaks back on the Washington money wagon. Around 60
special interest tax provisions that are normally renewd
each year, expired this year.
The tax breaks are renewed annually in order to avoid
them being `counted` when the Congressional Budget Office
does its long term projections. Since they `expire,`
the CBO acts as if they don`t count.
`Green` Initiatives in Trouble
- Many of the `green,` alternative energy initiatives that
were launched as part of the Obama administration`s stimulus
program are in trouble.
Study - Stimulus Hurts Private Sector
- A new study of government stimulus activities finds that in most
cases private spending falls significantly in response to an
increase in government spending.
Higher Taxes Mean More Evasion
- A study by the International Monetary Fund has found (surprise)
that higher tax rates produce more tax evasion. Or
(for the economists), `Macroeconomic and microeconomic modeling
studies based on data for several countries suggest that the
major driving forces behind the size and growth of the shadow
economy are an increasing burden of tax and social security
payments.`
Regs to Bar Kids from Farm Work
- In his State of the Union address, President Obama pointed
to the fact that he had overturned a regulation that treated
farm milk spills as `hazardous` incidents.
Japan - Population Shrinking by 1 Million per Year
- An estimate by Japan`s National Institute of Population and
Social Security Research shows the country`s population
shrinking by an average of 1 million people per year over
the next 50 years.
While the world`s media focus is on Europe`s problems, Japan
is in a much worse fundamental position. To try to fund its
pension system the current government says that the country`s
sales tax has to be almost quadrupled, from 5% to 17.5%.
Ga. Manufacturing index up 4.9 points in January
- Manufacturing activity in Georgia was up 4.9 points in January,
with the Georgia PMI edging above 50 as 2012 kicked off,
accordingto the Econometric Center at Kennesaw State University’s
Coles College of Business. Georgia’s Purchasing Managers Index
(PMI), a reading of economic activity in the state’s
manufacturing sector, increased 4.9 points in January, to 52.3.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion. The PMI has been volatile
for the past six months.
Georgia Watches Home Prices Drop
- Georgia is ranked third for states with the greatest depreciation
in home values in January, according to CoreLigic. The Peach
State saw its home values drop 8.3 percent. Only Illinois at
11.3 percent and Nevada with 10.6 percent were worse.
Also, metro Atlanta’s home prices fell 9 percent last year,
ranking second-highest among major metros.
GNTC Wants to Move Proposed Catoosa Campus
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College announced plans to
drop its proposed location for its Catoosa County site.
The college now hopes to place the campus near I75 in
Ringgold, instead of on a 37 acre plot at Cloud Springs
and Dietz Road.
Whooping Cranes to Head to Refuge
- Nine juvenile whooping cranes on their first ultralight-led migration south will now be taken to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alabama in the next few days.
The nine whooping cranes will be loaded up in travel enclosures onto vehicles as soon as possible, driven about 70 miles from Winston County, Ala., to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. They will be placed in a secure pen, equipped with identification bands and tracking transmitters, then later released in the company of other whooping cranes that have been wintering there.
Enforcement begins for I-85 HOT Lane Fines
- Following a 90 day grace period drivers who are caught using
the I-85 HOT lanes without a Peach Pass, drivers who use the lane
without the pass will get a $25 ticket, plus the cost of
the toll, in the mail.
Piedmont Man Charged with Rape/Custody Charge
- Joseph Daniel Law, 22, of Piedmont,AL has been arrested and
charged with one count of second degree rape and one count of
interference with custody, both are felonies. Law allegedly had
a sexual relationship with a 14 year-old female. The female
left her residence, in Ball Play, with the suspect on Saturday.
Use of Silencers on Hunting Firearms Passes Senate
- The Georgia Senate passed SB 301, which if enacted, would allow
the use of a firearm silencer for hunting purposes. The bill
passed on a 48-5 vote and was sponsored by Sen. John Bulloch
(R-Ochlocknee). `This is a carefully regulated bill that will allow hunters to
continue to solve the problem of feral animal overpopulation
while reducing the amount of noise associated with a firearm,`
said Sen. Bulloch.
Toyota Industries creates 320 jobs in Jackson Co
- Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Japan-based Toyota Industries
Corp. will open a manufacturing plant in Pendergrass in Jackson
County, creating 320 jobs. The company’s Georgia operation will
be known as Toyota Industries Compressor Parts America, and it
represents a $350 million investment. Toyota Industries Corp.
expects to begin operations at the TICA plant by late 2013.
Atlanta Home Prices - Back to the 90`s
- According to the Standard & Poor`s/Case-Shiller Home Price
Index, home prices in Atlanta have fallen to late 90`s
levels. Nationally, Atlanta is one of only four metros
to see prices fall that far.
Remains ID`d as Missing Henry County Girl
- Remains of a teen that had been missing for almost two years
have been identifeid as Tarik Hill, who was reported
missing March 6, 2010. The remains were found last November
in a wooded area along Ga. 138 in Stockbridge, about 10 miles
from Hill`s home. An autopsy, performed at the GBI Crime Lab,
identified the remains as Hill`s and ruled her death a homicide,
police said Tuesday. The cause of death was not released.
Severe Weather Awareness Week
- Governor Nathan Deal, in cooperation with the Georgia Emergency
Management Agency/Homeland Security, the National Weather Service
and Georgia’s local emergency management agencies has proclaimed
the week of Feb. 6-10, 2012, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in
Georgia. Georgians should take time throughout the week to
prepare for unexpected events, practice emergency response
procedures for all types of severe weather, and learn more about
those threats.
I, the Entertainment Guru, thought that the opening minutes of
Red Tails set the stage for what you can expect throughout the
whole movie.
It`s World War II, a group of American bombers are being escorted
through enemy territory and the Germans have arrived to throw a
wrench in the works. Planes swarm in a dance of CG aerial
acrobatics until the camera focuses in on an American pilot who
exclaims, `Germans! Let`s get `em!` thus beginning two-hours of
elementary dialogue interspersed with rote plotlines you could
have easily predicted before walking in.
Using the heroics of the African American pilots that make up
the Tuskegee 332nd Fighter Group to tell this `inspired by a
true story`, Red Tails cherry picks and gives these boys a
variety of cliched personality traits to keep the story moving
forward.
First there`s `Easy` (Nate Parker), the squadron captain. He has
a drinking problem you can be sure will get in the way sooner or
later. Then there`s `Lightning` (David Oyelowo), a showboat who
appears to have a death wish and on top of that he has fallen in
love (of course) with a young Italian girl (Daniela Ruah). Then
there`s Ray `Junior` Gannon (Tristan Wilds), but he doesn`t like
the name `Junior` he wants to be called `Ray Gun` because he`s
not a kid and, as we soon learn, he`d rather die than not be up
in the air.
Truth be told, none of these characters are all that bad. In
fact, I liked most of them and thought the actors did what they
could with what they were given to turn them into a likable bunch
of guys. Unfortunately, personable performances can`t save a
shoddy script, laced with moments you knew were coming before
they got there as Red Tails takes the easy way out in any and all
circumstances with screen dialogue that wouldn`t even make most
first drafts.
The Tuskegee fighter group became well known as bomber escorts
and on their first mission one of the bomber pilots looks out his
window and sees a black man flying one of the escort planes. He
promptly gets on the radio and says something to the effect of,
`It`s a colored pilot, don`t look for any support this time guys.`
Each and every line of dialogue is this bone dry when it comes to
thought and/or emotion. Trouble is, that`s just the kind of movie
you`re looking at.
This isn`t an attempt at an epic piece of war history, it`s a
PG-13 movie meant to occupy a two-hour void. Looking for nuance
and plot development is a waste. Instead of attempting to
actually develop and break down race relations, Red Tails
screenwriters John Ridley and Aaron McGruder spend time getting
`Lightning a girlfriend and performing a surface level
exploration of `Easy`s` drinking problem. Considering the way
the story is told they have no choice but to dumb down the race
aspect into cliched barroom brawls and snide remarks.
I don`t have much of a problem with this film, but I would never
recognize it as quality cinema. It`s glossy and cheesy, but I
never got the impression it wanted to be anything more than that.
It`s passable in those terms and the fighting scenes aren`t
half-bad, at least when the actors don`t have to recite their
first grade dialogue while cheesing for the camera as if they`re
in a carnival photo booth.
I`m just going to go ahead and admit it. I was in a crappy mood
all day yesterday....
Because of the dang 18 year-old kid, Josh Harvey-Clemons` granddad
not signing his LOI papers really put me in a bad mood, and I still
don`t know why. After reading Mark Miller`s column this week I didn`t
want to be one of `them`. But, sadly I was.
The first thing I did when I woke up was to turn ESPNU on to see
the press conference. I watched it, I mean listened to it all
day at work. To make matters worse, the first thing that I did
Thursday morning was to grab my cell phone, jump on twitter and
see if his LOI was signed by his grandpops.
My wife didn`t find this amusing considering it was her day off
and she wanted to cuddle before the day.
Heck, there`s always time for cuddling. Here was the state`s number
1 prospect which could have a say-so on the next four years of
our marriage! We`ve only been married for less than two years, but
she has GOT to know where the important stuff is.
Speaking of number 1 recruit in the state, despite the low
ranking class, UGA managed to get the number 1 state prospect in
four states this year. Georgia`s Josh Harvey-Clemons or even
Jordan Jenkins according to 247sports and Scout, North Carolina`s
Keith Marshall, Sheldon Dawson from Tennessee and John Theus from Florida.
I would have liked to have had O-lineman Avery Young, but he choose
Auburn. Dang him.
For the most part I`m happy. This class didn`t have the sparkle as
last year, but this team`s needs are different. You have to remember a lot
of these kids probably won`t play due to the returning starters, minus
the 0-line and running backs. With the left over scholarships, this could
lead to a very bright future for the Dawgs over the next few years.
So football officially ends this Sunday night with New England and
New York. New York vs Boston. The Rematch. It should be an exciting game
to watch, but as much as I love going over to Mark Miller`s house for
his great company (and awesome food), I always hate to see this game come
around. It is a sad ending to the greatest sport for the season.
Only talks of trades and free agents to get us by the long hot summer.
Baseball is ok, but it gets old the 2nd week of April.
But then again, the gates of Sanford Stadium opens on April 14th for
the annual G-Day game!
One more thing, Patriots over the Giants by 9.
God bless football! GO DAWGS!
Tony Potts
Email me: Tony@CoosaValleyNews.com
Umt
Point U. Stuns Shorter in East Point
- Jeremy Mehaffey knocked down two free throws with 3.4 seconds
left and Shorter`s Walter Hill came up empty on a last second
attempt as Point University shocked previously unbeaten and No.
1-ranked Shorter 73-72 on Thursday night in East Point.
The Skyhawks (9-17) avenged a 99-80 loss to the Hawks in Rome in
November and took down the NAIA`s last undefeated team. Shorter
falls to 22-1 overall as its school-record 22-game win streak
came to a heartbreaking end.
Georgia Players Dismissed for Team Rules
- Three memebers of Georgia`s Dream Team got kicked off
the team on Friday. UGA football coach Mark Richt announced
that defensive back Nick Marshall, wide receiver Sanford
Seay and defensive back Chris Sanders have been dismissed
from the team.
Another Atlanta Collapse
- Just when you think Atlanta has got its stuff together, the
Hawks get blown out. This time it was at home by the
Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis had not won a game in Atlanta
in six years, Thursday they won easily 96-77.
Leprechaun-a-thon 5K & 2 Mile Health Walk
- The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority is registering for
the first annual Leprechaun-a-thon 5K and 2 Mile Health Walk to
be held on Saint Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, 2012.
The 5K race is USATF Certified and will be chip timed by the
presenting sponsor, Harbin Clinic Sports Health Foundation. The
race/walk will start outside Barron Stadium and wind through
historic downtown Rome and along Heritage Park trail.
Participants will finish with a victory lap inside Barron Stadium
where the finish line will be broadcast on the scoreboard big
screen.
Gordon County Players Ink College Scholarships
- Gordon County had its share of college football signees on Wednesday.
Calhoun had nine sign, Gordon Central had two and Sonoraville
had 1.
Adam Griffith - Calhoun - K(University of Alabama) -
Alex Kirby - Calhoun - LB (UT-Chattanooga)
Trent Frix - Calhoun - LB,LS (Air Force)
Reed Allen, - Calhoun - DE (Air Force).
Ben Lamb, - Calhoun - WR (West Georgia)
Hunter Knight, - Calhoun - LB (West Georgia)
Chase Rierson, - Calhoun - LB (West Georgia)
Gabe Freeman, - Calhoun - LB (West Georgia)
Tyler King, - Calhoun - OL (West Georgia)
CJ Bell - Gordon Central - RB - (Tusculum College)
Matthew Chastain - Gordon Central - OL (Mercer)
Noah Henson - OL - Sonoraville - (Shorter)
Darlington Player to Play at West Georgia
- Darlington High School senior Gavin Lawrence (OL,DL), signed his
letter of intent to play college football on Wednesday at the
Univeristy of West Georgia.
Pepperell`s Dakota Ball signs with Alabama
- Dakota Ball, a senior defensive lineman for Pepperell High
School, made it official Wednesday that his college of choice is
the University of Alabama. Ball signed his letter of intent
in the Pepperell High media center surrounded by family, friends,
Dragon fans and Crimson Tide supporters. Ball was the
thirteenth high school athlete to sign with the University
of Alabama.
Shorter`s Hill Picks Up National Honor
- Walter Hill of Shorter University has been named the NAIA National
Division I Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.
Hill was selected based on his performances from Jan. 23 - Jan.
29 and was chosen out of a pool of c
onference/independent/unaffiliated groupings. The national honor
is the first of Hill`s career and comes on the heels of his
Southern States Athletic Conference Player of the Week selection.
Berry Cages Hawks To Earn Second Straight Win
- Mac Whalen led five Berry players in double figures with 22
points and 13 rebounds as the Vikings held on for an 83-80
victory over visiting Huntingdon Tuesday evening at the Cage
Center.
Trion Names New Head Football Coach
- Trion High School has named Justin Brown as the new head
football coach. Brown replaces David Humphreys who resigned in
November.
