Twice, with one member absent, the Henderson County Commissioners have tied their vote on a travel survey. Two commissioners find the concept kind of weird. The survey would offer $10 to citizens requested to submit a 24-hour travel diary. The data will be used to concoct a 40-year plan. Forty years ago, people were driving gas-guzzling boats, and green was a color somewhere between blue and yellow. Anyway, Henderson County has been asked to contribute $13,420 to the survey. Those in favor were concerned rejection could put a black mark on the county’s forehead for federal funding and prioritization of pet projects, such as the widening of I-26.
The data collection reminds me of a joke I saw today:
Heard at the Wharton School.
Man walking along a road in the countryside comes across a shepherd and a huge flock of sheep. Tells the shepherd, “I will bet you $100 against one of your sheep that I can tell you the exact number in this flock.” The shepherd thinks it over; it’s a big flock so he takes the bet. “973,” says the man. The shepherd is astonished, because that is exactly right. Says “OK, I’m a man of my word, take an animal.” Man picks one up and begins to walk away.
“Wait,” cries the shepherd, “Let me have a chance to get even. Double or nothing that I can guess your exact occupation.” Man says sure. “You are an economist for a government think tank,” says the shepherd. “Amazing!” responds the man, “You are exactly right! But tell me, how did you deduce that?”
“Well,” says the shepherd, “put down my dog and I will tell you.”
