It appears that the sun is shining all over Hopkins County

The consecutive sunny days we’ve enjoyed recently have provided a happy respite from the overcast days of January’s ice storm and April’s steady rains.

It appears that the sun is shining all over Hopkins County.

It’s even shining a little in Earlington.

There have been some interesting changes to Earlington’s City Council meetings since January.

City council members have been bringing ideas to the table. Some have asked for reports from department supervisors. Others have asked for action to be tabled on certain items, saying more time is needed to research, learn the options, and determine the best course of action. They ask questions about the city’s budget and where, how and why the dollars are being spent.

At the February, March and April meetings, the city clerk read the month’s expenditures, line by line, and explained the purpose of each one. Council members asked questions about line items and the clerk answered them.

Remember all those long nights without electricity after the ice storm? Remember how great it felt when the lights came back on?

In Earlington’s case, two and one-half hour city council sessions are something to celebrate after two years of wandering around in the dark, trying to figure out what was going on in city government and having trouble getting clear answers from anyone.

The most important changes, at least from this journalist’s seat, is that The Messenger is being allowed more access to city information.

Since January, prior to the start of each council meeting, the attending Messenger staff writer is given copies of all the paperwork that will be reviewed by the council.

The packet includes copies of the agenda, the treasurer’s report, budget reports, bills, appointments, resolutions and ordinances.

Perhaps the most significant change is that Mayor Mike Seiber is returning calls when the paper requests information.

Earlington still faces difficult issues, among them two lawsuits pending against the city — one filed by the landlords opposed to the city’s ordinance that requires them to pay a $75 per unit fee, in addition to the 1.5 percent occupational tax; the other by former Earlington Police Chief Craig Patterson, who asserts that he was unfairly removed from the job.

However, there’s no denying the fact that after the two years this reporter has covered Earlington city government, it’s good to see the sun shine for a change.

In this writer’s view, the city looks much better in the light.

Adventures in Blogging and Belt-Tightening

Welcome to the first of many, and what I hope will be regular, blog entries. I’ll post occasional comments and thoughts here. I hope you’ll do the same.

I can’t take credit for the blog name, “Walk on the Wiles Side.” Thanks and a big “newsroom mom” hug to sports guy Nick Brockman for coming up with the fun title.

Times are tough, and I’m curious … what are you doing to tighten your budgets during this difficult economy? Are you going to restaurants less frequently? Are you salvaging those pennies you find on the carpet rather than sucking them up in the vacuum cleaner?

If you’ve seen my wardrobe, you know I’m not one who owns a closet full of shoes or considers clothes shopping a recreational pastime. I am guilty of chowing down on fast food too often, adding new books to the stacks of books I own that I haven’t read yet, and savoring those euphoric feelings that wash over me as I swipe my debit card at the office supply store checkout.

I’ve reduced spending in other areas so I can feed my geeky habits. What about you? Are you gardening, coupon-clipping, or shopping at yard sales? Fill me in on the novel ways you’re balancing your books. You can post your comments here on the blog. Let’s start a conversation! If you think your tips are newsworthy, e-mail me at pwiles@the-messenger.com and provide your contact information. I just might give you a call.