Today's Feature

Committee Approves WaterFest.

The Public Services Committee met Monday evening in a regular session. The committee approved a motion to allow a "WaterFest" to be held in Kellogg Lake Park on May 31 by members of the Stream Team 3320. Frank Martinez, representative of the Stream Team, had at a previous meeting approached the committee to request the use of the park. At that point the committee requested further information and proof of insurance, which Martinez presented during Monday’s meeting. City Administrator Tom Short recommended that City Attorney Nate Dally review the information prior to the Committee presenting the request to Council and the committee agreed.

The committee also heard an update from members of the Carthage Municipal Dog Park group. City Council gave its support for the idea of establishing a dog park on City property located in Municipal Park, if the group would raise the funds necessary to install fencing, drinking water facilities and other necessary equipment. The group provided an update on fundraising events and presented a tentative map of the park layout. The committee approved a motion to allow the placement of a sign which would be located in the area where the dog park would be, designating it as the future site of the dog park. The committee requested that the group return as the various projects begin to develop so that the proper channels for construction may be followed. A fundraiser for the park will be held on June 7th.

Fishery Management Biologist Rick Horton from the Missouri Department of Conservation was also present at the meeting and discussed with the committee the County Assistance Program (CAP) agreement. Horton said that the current CAP agreement has been in place for 25 years and will expire in September of this year. Projects in the CAP include the estimated $2.1 million dredging of Kellogg Lake. Horton provided information on the decreasing depth of the lake, and how the dredging would be a benefit to the fish.

If the project is approved by the Department of Conservation, the City would need funding for a 25/75 match. Horton said that if the City could increase its matching portion that the likelihood of the project being approved by the Department would increase.

Horton stressed the importance of Kellogg Lake to the committee, saying that a 25-acre lake within walking distance of an urban area is a valuable resource.

"The lake needs to be renovated to maintain viable fishing," said Horton. "I think it’s something that everybody thinks we should do."

The committee approved a motion to enter into a new 25-year CAP agreement effective July 1, contingent on Council approval.

Mornin'

I watched some show the other night that was talkin’ ‘bout the differences ‘tween men and women.

Now they did plenty in the way of bringin’ up the philosophical differences that different men and women have durin’ the discussion, but they didn’t get ‘round ta talkin’ ‘bout the ever’day problems caused by the confusion most of us face in dealin’ with ‘xactly how we’re supposed ta handle different situations.

Now one a the first such situations some of us had ta deal with is whether or not ta open a door for someone of the opposite sex. For me it was fairly simple, I just open a door for anyone and ever’one that happens ta be goin’ in or out at the same time I am.

Unfortunately, not all of the situations that arise are as simple to manage.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

With April 15 fast approaching, here are some tips regarding taxes. Don’t forget to get to the post office early!

Double-check address label information. Make sure your bank account information is correct, and triple-check your Social Security number. The more you rush, the more mistakes you will make. Just take a deep breath and go over everything one last time.

Don’t overlook the value of opening and contributing to an individual retirement account to reduce your tax bill. Contributions need not always be made before Jan. 1 to count; it’s possible to open an account as late as this week, and it can still count against your 2007 taxes. Check with an accountant to see if a deduction for an IRA is possible for you.

File and request any refund electronically, if you are able. It reduces any anxiety or question about postmarks and whether your return (or refund, hopefully) is lost in the mail. Use only IRS-approved e-filers or check with your accounting service.

Get IRS Form 4868 to file for a six-month extension if you just can’t complete your return on time. By filing for an extension and making an estimated payment (if that applies to you), you will save yourself the hassle of penalties and interest on balances owed. If you are having trouble coming up with the payment, try applying for an installment payment plan. Get IRS Form 9465 for that.

Questions are sure to come up, and you should double-check anything you aren’t sure about with the experts: the IRS! Here are some handy contacts: 1-800-829-4477 (IRS TeleTax line, with pre-recorded answers to frequently asked questions); 1-800-829-1040 (direct, live help from the IRS, this line is staffed 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday); www.irs.gov (searchable questions and answers, plus every form in downloadable, printable formats); or look in your local phone book’s blue pages for the nearest IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.