Here comes the rain again. And again. And again.
A few predictions for 2008:
Mayor Andy Holcombe and Vice-Mayor Ann Schwab will be re-elected, despite relentless criticism from the E-R.
Councilor Steve Bertagna will finish his last term in office. He'll finish his last year with humor and grace, rather than any hint of bitterness derived from past political battles.
Two newcomers will join Holcombe and Schwab as newly elected City Councilors, resulting in Councilor Larry Wahl not getting re-elected by a slim margin.
There won't be any local tax increase on a ballot.
All incumbent Board of Supervisors whose terms are up this year will be re-elected.
Councilor Tom Nickell will propose even more new policies or initiatives than his first year.
No rainbow-colored images will be used in any of this year's local political mailers.
The Butte County General Plan process will turn into an even messier affair than the Bidwell Park Master Management Plan.
The raccoon will be named the official City animal. Okay, not really.
Today's Scrabble word is lave, or wash.
One more prediction:
In the wake of the city budget hysteria, all city employees will be forced to work for minimum wage. To supplement their incomes, the employees will be free to accept tips from the citizens they serve. Tip jars will be installed in all police cruisers, fire engines and on the public counter in the planning department. When a cop pulls you over and writes you a ticket, or a firefighter saves your home, or an employee in the planning department looks at your subdivision plan, you'll be expected to give them a tip.
This will save the city way more than $56 million over the next 10 years. Count on it.