Loose Lips: All comers welcome on rumor mill

All comers welcome on rumor mill

Lips always felt Merced should be a two gossip-rag town.

There are so many whispers with so few chances to shout them in town square.

Well, readers, don't fret. The Merced County Chamber of Commerce, led by President Nelson Crabb and CEO/Editor Julius Pekar, has begun a little muckraking of its own.

Nelson, a drummer in The Why 4, promised us "business, prosperity and a little rock and roll."

Well, the first two have been checked off, so the emphasis must be on the last one. We didn't know it includes the fight-the-man attitude.

A couple nuggets from November's edition of the newsletter: "Our community has lost Linens N Things, Circuit City, and Mervyns. Next may be Sears and Pier One Imports followed by ??? The fast food and liquor industries are doing well!! mmmmmmm..."

Let's drink to that.

And this, in light of the Board of Supervisor's vote to cut jobs from the Human Services Agency, "Got to pay for administrations raises and perks!!!"

Let's not Dee-monize the county.

The newsletter warns the opinions don't necessarily reflect those of the chamber. Whew! For a second, we thought the local businesses were going all hara-kiri during this economic hiccup.

Perhaps Pekar's just trying to cheer up the remaining local businesses owners in Merced. Meantime, Nelson can be found beating the surf's-up drums to this area's anthem: "Wipe Out."

Benchwatch 2008

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger seems to have been busy battling climate change. He signed a pact with 26 global leaders to fight the rising mercury. Days earlier, he joined other governators to battle global warming caused by deforestation.

What he doesn't realize is that the heat he's feeling isn't from carbon emissions. It's Loose Lips' lukewarm laser of accountability.

For months, Merced County Superior Court has been languishing without its much-needed (and fully funded!) judicial appointment.

It's time that Mr. Freeze forgets about particulate matter (which causes asthma) and looks at this particular matter. Until then, sir, you're staying in the hot seat.

A-Town lowdown

Speaking of appointments... It's with much sadness that Lips mourns the death of Joe Rivero. But politics stops for no one, and Lips by nature is a political animal.

Contenders to fill his seat are already lining up. First in line is Lesa Rasmussen, who was appointed to the council in 2006. She finished third in this election and is blowing on the embers of her political career.

There's also talk of continuing the Rivero dynasty by getting his other son, Jeff Rivero, onto the council.

But another contender lurks. None other than Mr. Public Safety, Andy Krotik. The real estate agent/prison safety group spokesman told Lips that he informed the mayor he'd be willing to hop aboard the dais if need be.

Lips can't help but wonder: What Would Joe Do?

Loose Lips loves titanic tips and sunken ships. E-mail 'em to editor@mercedsun-star.com.