Today's Feature

Will Collect City Taxes.

Jasper County Collector Stephen H. Holt, Carthage Mayor James G. Woestman, Carthage City Council, Carthage City Clerk, Lynn Campbell, along with Mayor Bob Pearish, and Gary A. Phillips, City Clerk of the City of Oronogo, and Sarcoxie Mayor Don Triplett, and City Clerk Christine Ross, are pleased to announce that beginning November 1, 2008 their City taxes will be collected by the Jasper County Collector.

Stephen H. Holt, Jasper County Collector will collect real taxes for the City of Carthage both personal and real estate taxes for both the city of Oronogo and Sarcoxie.

The taxes will be listed on the Jasper County Tax Statements as the following: CCAR - City of Carthage; CORO - City of Oronogo; CSAR - City of Sarcoxie.

Jasper county will receive a 4% commission for this service. All commissions will go directly into Jasper County General Revenue.

Jasper County Tax Statements were mailed November 6, 2008. Citizens are urged to contact the County Collector office by the end of November if statements have not been received. Failure to receive a statement does not relieve a taxpayer of their obligation to pay. All taxes postmarked after December 31, 2008 will be subject to a 2% interest charge and an additional 7% penalty charge per month for all unpaid taxes.

Additional information may be obtained by using the Jasper County Collector web site at www.jaspercountycollector.com

Stephen H. Holt stated, "We are very happy to be working with the cities of Carthage, Oronogo and Sarcoxie. By all of us working together we are able to serve the taxpayers of Jasper County better!"

Mornin'
If you’re like most, you seem ta be a little confused about the annual tradition of gettin’ around to turnin’ on the Christmas lights here in town.

There seems ta be about four general different camps when it comes to lightin’ up for Christmas here in Carthage. The tourist industry camp wants lights on as early as possible to attract folks travelin’ to Branson and there abouts to see the light displays there. The traditional camp wants the lightin’ delayed until after Thanksgiving. The moderates compromise with lights goin’ on about two weeks before Turkey Day, and the erratic turn ‘em on about anytime they feel like it. I’m prob’ly missin’ a camp there somewhere. You personally have every opportunity to observe and support any or all.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Cedar or Vinyl Siding?

Q: I have a 31-year-old raised ranch with cedar shake siding. The south side of the house gets all the sun and the shakes are dilapidated. To re-side with vinyl on all sides, the estimated cost is $10,000. Is it advisable to try and replace the shakes only on the one side? Will this reduce its resale value? -- Punyada B., Middlebury, Conn.

A: That’s a tough call, because siding material is such a personal choice. I know for sure that the damaged and deteriorating siding is affecting the value of your home, and that a quality repair will maintain or raise that value.

My question to you is this: If it will cost $10,000 to sheathe the entire house in vinyl siding, what will it cost to just redo the cedar shakes on the one side? If the cost is less or comparable, then consider going with new cedar shakes.

There are at least an equal number of benefits to cedar. You’re maintaining the house, which will maintain its value. Cedar is a "green" choice of material, and it lasts just as long as vinyl siding when properly cared for. New cedar will look strikingly different in color from the older shakes on your home, but there are methods to "weather" it so it will blend a bit better. Plus, there are homebuyers who will specifically want all-cedar siding, rather than a mix of siding materials. Learn more about cedar siding by visiting http://www.cedarbureau.org.

If you decide to use vinyl siding on that one side, make sure the contractor knows his material and knows how to prevent deterioration at the corners where the vinyl meets the cedar siding on the rest of the house. Certain materials will speed up deterioration of the wood shakes, and colors leaching from the shakes could stain the edges of the siding. A good buffer material will be needed between the two.

If you redo the entire house in vinyl, then read up on the care and maintenance of vinyl siding. While it does needs less maintenance than wood siding or shakes, vinyl siding is not repair- or maintenance-free. It must be protected from extreme heat and corrosive chemicals, and should still be cleaned on a regular basis.

HOME TIP: Moss growth on cedar shakes and shingles can be reduced by nailing copper or zinc strips along the ridge cap of the roof or above the shakes; rain runoff from these strips will retard fungal growth.

Letter to the Editor.
Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Mornin' Mail

Melanie Grundy, DVM, offers advice on purchasing pet medications.

Buying pet drugs at discount or with no prescription may sound attractive to many pet owners browsing the internet, but there are risks associated with some internet pharmacies. Drugs sold from foreign pharmacies might not be FDA-approved. Also, some online pharmacies claim they can evaluate pets’ medical needs based on a form filled out by a client. This is a dangerous practice. Pets should always be physically examined by a veterinarian before diagnosing any medical condition. In addition, pets often need regularly scheduled blood tests to ensure the medication pets are taking are working properly and not causing any side effects.

• Take pets to their veterinarian for regular examinations.

• Most medications prescribed for pets will be available at the veterinarian’s office.

• Many veterinarians will mail prescriptions for previously diagnosed conditions.

• If the use of an online pharmacy is still preferred, ask the veterinarian to recommend a reputable website.

For more information from the FDA regarding this topic, search online at www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petdrugsonline121407.html