Three possible sources of additional revenue...

Summary Paragraph: In which Menin tries to answer a question from this evening's forum that was directed at two at-large candidates, but only one answered.

The question was "name three additional sources of revenue for the schools beyond an override."

Without revealing any of the inner chamber deliberations of the Revenue Task Force, let me offer a few suggestions for the candidate who struggled.

• We could mug girl scouts and re-sell their cookies.

• We could sell the naming rights to shrubbery along the waterfront.

• We could turn the new, spiffed up City Hall into a bed and breakfast on weekends; starting Friday, at noon.

• We could fine Canada Geese for pooping on public property, payable in down, and repackage the down for Newburyport souvenir pillows to sell at Richdale's.

• We could open up a tobaggon run down from the top of the landfill, and charge by the hour for use.

• We could enact an ordinance against saying the word "tourist," with fines of twenty-five cents each time you are overheard saying it. I think this one could generate a lot of cash. It adds up.

• Add a local levy on "doggie bags" that are taken from restaurants. I have it on pretty good authority that very few dogs are actually getting to eat the contents of those bags.

• Charge a parking fee to anyone driving a vehicle that waits at the intersection of Green and Water Street without turning for more than five minutes.
  

• Attach a video-camera to a Seagull, and try to sell the idea of a Seagull Cam 24 Hour Reality show to one of the networks.

See? When you allow yourself to think outside of the box, anything is possible. Those are just a few of the innovative ideas I hope the city will consider