Today's Feature

Approved Lot Split.

The City Council Public Works Committee met Tuesday afternoon in a regular session. The committee approved a motion allowing an administrative lot split that could assist in the relocation of the Carthage Fire Department substation.

As reported in Wednesday’s Mornin’ Mail, the Public Safety Committee approved a motion to recommend to Council the exchange of equal amounts of land which would reposition the location of the substation from a center lot to a corner lot at intersection of Airport and Missouri streets. Citizen Gerald Oler owns the land surrounding the City-owned tract that was slated to be used as the substation, and is in favor of the exchange.

The Public Works Committee on Tuesday approved the lot split that allows for an equal amount of square-footage to be exchanged. The Safety Committee also approved the concept and agreed that the corner lot would allow better access to the station.

The item will be forwarded to Council for a final review, with the recommendation of both committees.

Mornin'
I’ve heard that turkey has some chemical in it that makes ya sleepy. I suppose I’m not one to argue with experts, but I’ve never noticed it bein’ any different than a good helpin’ of roast beef. Eatin’ a good portion of anything seems ta make most folks wanna take a little nap.

Learned that in the first grade (they didn’t have kindergarten where I went to school). We all brought our nap mats and laid ‘em out on the floor. Mostly we just made faces at other kids under the desks, but on occasion I’d actually snooze a little.

It’s amazin’ how few first graders snore. Must be learned at a higher grade level.

They say us Americans don’t get enough sleep. Nappin’ may be the answer.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dear Tom and Ray:

A friend and I took a trip in my car. The gasoline bill was $40. What percent should he pay when I consider wear and tear on my vehicle. How do I calculate the bill fairly? - Ralph

TOM: He should pay whatever you guys agreed he would pay in advance. These things are best negotiated before you’re 280 miles from the nearest Chat n’ Chew, and have to ride back home in brooding silence.

RAY: On relatively short trips, people tend to split the fuel cost. If you were going to take the trip anyway, Ralph, you would now have someone to keep you company, somebody to pay for half of the gas and maybe even share the driving. That works for everybody.

TOM: And if your friend was generous, he’d offer to buy lunch since you provided the car.

RAY: If it’s a trip that you were not going to make on your own (where the two of you sat down and said: "Hey, let’s go to Canada to taste their burritos. Whose car should we take?"), then you might agree in advance to split the cost of an oil change, or your friend might agree to pay for more of the fuel to make up for the wear on the tires, brakes, and other things that wear out with use.

TOM: But, like most deals, if money is an issue you feel strongly about, discuss it before you hit the road. Or suggest that you take his car.