Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Small-town politics:

Facing a critical budget crisis, city officials in Maywood, CA, decided last month that rather than make massive cuts, they'd rather fire all city employees and outsource their jobs. Several weeks later, residents tell the NY Times that Maywood has never run better. Services from ticketing to garbage removal are now handled by nearby towns, and instead of landing the city in anarchy, the Times says that it seems to have solved some of its deep-seated budget troubles.
   Residents say it's too early to tell how the program will work out in the long run, but most aren't complaining yet, possibly because many old employees are still there --only now on a contract basis. A spokeswoman told the Times, "We don't want to be the model for other cities to lay off their employees, but our residents have been somewhat pleased."
   Other cities around the country have implemented or are considering similar measures.
   Editor's note: Don't think there wasn't a different reason behind all this. The community's big problem was $19 million in outstanding claims against the Maywood police. That was settled by bringing in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to take care of policing. The claims made it impossible for Maywood to insure its employees, and the department's bloated budget was eating more than half the city's revenue. The new set-up fixed that. And, Maywood taxpayers are still paying for services through their county taxes, but those payments are being shared by other county residents. It's sort of like a community that wants to become its own municipality; this is the opposite. (Maiman)

Idle gossip & unconfirmed rumors:

Did you get your invite to ALICIA KEYS wedding this weekend? Insiders tell MediaTakeOut.com the prego diva is set to marry SWIZZ BEATZ during an intimate ceremony on a yacht off the coast of the Caribbean. The exact location is being kept under lock-and-key, but celebrity guests expected to attend include JAY-Z, BEYONCE and OPRAH WINFREY. (Lee)

Look what I found:

A Mexican man has been arrested after authorities at Mexico City's international airport discovered 18 titi monkeys stuffed into socks and tied around his waist in a protective girdle.
   ROBERTO SOL CABRERA was returning from Lima, Peru, and had been trying to smuggle in the tiny primates by wearing them slung on a belt under his clothing --"to protect them from X-rays." Two of the monkeys were dead when they were confiscated.
   Many species of titi monkeys are on the endangered species list, and can be sold for around $1,550 in Mexico.
   Editor's note: Maybe they were snacks?
   --You go one monkey over the limit, and they throw the book at you. They're tough. (Maiman)

Reality Round-Up:

MTV has locked up THE SITUATION and PAULY D to continue on "Jersey Shore" for a third season. And the Hollywood Reporter says deals for the rest of the cast are either done, or very close to it. So how much are they getting to stay in the hot tub? The show biz trade says the top performers in the cast are being offered nearly $30-thousand per episode.

Grace notes:

DRAKE wants to play PRESIDENT OBAMA in a movie. The Canadian rapper-actor told Paper magazine that he has what it takes to portray the leader of the free world on the big screen and he can already do an amazing impression of the president. Drake says he hopes someone will make that movie because he's ready now. He also says he doesn't want to do the usual (quote), "basketball movie that everyone does," or a (quote), "typical black film." (Marino)

E-mail, snail mail and other issues:

Liz Lippoff writes from Portland, OR, about yesterday's article on direct-mail marketers once again expanding their unsolicited credit card offers and other junk mail: "Here's what I have been doing lately: I write in magic marker on the application 'TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST' and send it back in their postage-paid envelope."
   Editor's note: that will work, although one call to the Opt Out Request Line (for Equifax, Trans Union, Experian and Consumer Credit Associates) is all it takes to permanently remove your name from all marketing lists that the credit agencies supply to direct marketers. You can also opt for a two-year period, renewing your request at any time in the future. 1-888-567-8688.
   You can also fill out the form online at www.optoutprescreen.com to opt out of all credit offers sent to you in the mail. You will have the opportunity to choose either a five-year removal or a permanent removal.