Read Online One Night Burns (The Vampires of Livix, #1) by J Gordon Smith - Free Book Online Page A

likely has friends or family in towns around Detroit or other parts of the country effected by this recession precipitated by the housing crisis. And no … ” a grim pause of his lips, “The Bank of Draydon did not participate in that foolishness of the other banks. We mark our age in centuries. We tend toward stodgy since we originally came out of England and Central Europe before the founding of Livix but that conservatism kept us from writing bad loans. We’ve assisted companies and homeowners caught in tough binds with other banks to right their rafts.”
    Theron paused and looked across the quietly assembled people. They recognized how powerful and prominent a figure he stood in this region. Many of their homes and businesses paid monthly mortgages or working capital loans to the Bank. Or if not directly the other scattered banks around did business with Draydon. So those in the know knew how long the fingers of The Bank of Draydon stretched, and the conservative grip Aravant enforced.
    “We recognize the impact of the compounding work that the Mayor is doing. If you are paying thirty percent of your income and a percent or two of your property value and six percent of everything you purchase on sales tax along with extra taxes on fuel every year for government services,” he leaned forward, “you are not buying things. Nor will you have excess money to invest in small businesses to make and sell things and create jobs. You may not be able to afford college educations for your sons and daughters and then they will not bring back the necessary skills to invent something to change the world.” He looked across the audience, “Taxes underpin the whole economy. It takes hard choices, very hard choices, by our government officials but that’s why we elect them – to work hard for us. If taxes go down, and not by increasing debt but true cost reductions in the government, the system gets more attractive,” he turned and nodded toward the Mayor. The Mayor half stood and waved to the audience. Dr. Aravant lifted his arms, “Livix is more attractive. We’ve lured corporate headquarters and plants into our town. They recognize the educated workforce we have means they can immediately produce products without expensive training. They understand the games other towns play with tax rebates. Livix didn’t have to give any short term rebates to attract new business. Our Total Cost of Operation is more attractive and on a reductive trend. We are bringing manufacturing back from Asia and Central America. We are the new Low Cost Town.
    “I want you to remember to stay diligent about system costs in our government and even your own businesses and jobs. How much more competitive can your business be if costs are cut in half? Can you use two steps instead of four? That’s the audacious goal to challenge your thinking – chip away at the minor wastes as well as the major costs. Think what you do for the town. Your costs go down so you can sell to your neighbor for less. They build on that keeping their costs down and so the town is more competitive and thrives.” Dr. Aravant paused, scanning the audience, “I want, and we need, the town to thrive. Thank you.”
    Clapping started low and then rose in volume as many in the audience stood to emphasize their approval.
    Garin leaned into me, “You should see the data Livix is sharing on costs and the number of companies with planned facilities projects in town. They can hire more people to do value added tasks that increase sales. It’s not cutting wages but structural costs.”
    I said, “That sounds really promising.” Maybe the work I do at Marilyn’s firm has a lot more future growth potential than I guessed.
    The mayor grabbed the microphone off the podium, “Thank you Dr. Aravant. A town must work together so it can play –” And in his loud circus voice he shouted, “Here’s the Livix High School marching band and the start of the parade!”
    The clapping became