Why do you think the county is considering raising those fines?

Coincidence? Or cause and effect?

Sometimes while reading the paper you find separate stories with no relationship to each other whatsoever ... or do they?

Take the story today about Clark County commissioners approving an annual budget that includes no more layoffs or cuts in wages and benefits of county employees but dips deep into reserve and capital funds to "balance" the budget. Rather like a family continuing to spend on steak dinners and good wine by taking it out of the savings account, figuring they'll address the shortfall of income to outgo next month when there is no more savings.

But on another page is a story about the commissioners considering an ordinance to jack up the fines on unkempt homes to $1,000 a day. So when people fall on hard times and can't keep up their property the county will be there to lend a helping hand, a hand to twist the knife and pour salt in the wound.

Owners could be cited for having grass longer than 4 inches, the story says. But Joe Boteilho, the head of county code enforcement, assures us that's not the purpose of the code.

Sure the law says they could do that, but they'd never ... trust us. They'd never turn a bunch of thumb-twiddling county employees into inspectors to drive around town and cite homeowners for such things as growing hay in their yards to help make the rent. But if such fines could cover the salaries of some fellow county employees, who comes first?

You are not paranoid if they really are out to get you.