Today's Feature

Approved Trees, Not Lawsuit.

The City Council Public Services Committee met late last week, the meeting having been moved due to Labor Day. The committee approved a motion to forward to Council a recommendation to allow the planting of three trees in Kellogg Lake Park. The requestor is willing to purchase the trees and the committee agreed that as long as no signage is included that the trees may be planted and will be maintained by the City Parks Department.

The committee also discussed a potential lawsuit concerning railroad right-of-way. The City was invited to join a class-action lawsuit by Mark F. Thor Hearne, a St. Louis lawyer. The suit would give back property to its original owners that in 1876 was taken for use in the Memphis, Carthage Northwestern Railroad Company. Since then the line was used by Burlington Northern, after which the 28 mile easement from Columbus, KS to Carthage was released by the railroad company for use in the "Rails to Trails" program. City Administrator Tom Short told the committee that the City has supported the Rails to Trails program historically, and as the lawsuit would interfere with that property use, recommended that the City not join the lawsuit. The committee agreed, and approved a motion to recommend to City Council that the City not take part in the lawsuit.

The committee also discussed the reservation policy at City parks and the potential rental of City Hall basement to the Missouri Circuit Court for records storage. In both items it was agreed that further research was required, and so no action was taken by the committee.

City Administrator Short and Parks Director Alan Bull also gave an update on the status of the proposed City-owned skate park. Short and Bull recently took a trip to a American Ramp Company, a Joplin business that manufactures modular ramps for installation at skate parks. The City representatives met with the company owners and toured the facility, which they reported to be "impressive."

Mornin'

I’m thinkin’ they oughta put no passing lanes in the grocery stores.

Right turn only at the intersection of isles might be helpful also. After a complete stop of course.

I don’t think they need speed limits, but possibly some 15 minute parkin’ zones. If ya can’t find what your lookin’ for in 15 minutes, ya gotta push your cart around the block and try again. Of course a main part of the problem with navigatin’ through the stores is the fact that things aren’t ever in the same spot for more than a week or two. Folks aimlessly wanderin’ through the store lookin’ for that bottle of salad dressin’ they got here last month. Bound to be some collisions from people rubberneckin’ as they pass the isles. Now there’s a reality TV show.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

THIS IS A HAMMER.

By Samantha Mazzotta

Winterproofing.

Q: I have a friend who has a fig tree in his garden. Every fall, he uproots it, digs a bigger hole and buries the tree until spring. Have you ever heard of such a crazy thing? I know people uproot bulbs and store them through winter, but not whole trees. -- Larry in Quincy, Mass.

A: That’s pretty cool, and if it works, great. Keeping a non-native tree alive in a much colder climate is quite a challenge.

Your friend’s seasonal routine is a good example of how caring for your home’s outdoor items -- whether they be plants or tools -- keeps them in good shape and lasting for years. As the weather turns from hot to cold and the growing season ends, now is the time to begin cleaning and storing yard and garden equipment for the winter.

Most parts of the country have at least one yard-mowing and hedge-trimming weekend left, so stagger your equipment put-away schedule. Start with the gardening tools, for example, leaving the lawnmower for last.

Clean hand tools with mild soap and water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Coat metal parts with either an all-purpose oil or a thin layer of floor wax. Rub a thin coat of linseed oil onto wooden handles. Store tools properly -- hanging vertically from a punch board, for example, is best -- away from moisture or direct sunlight.

Gas-powered equipment should have the gas tank drained in a well-ventilated area (store the gas in proper containers or discard according to your town’s hazardous materials rules). Inspect the engine’s spark plug -- replace if necessary -- and replace the air filter. Then clean the blade area and surrounding parts with soapy water, rinse, dry and spray with an all-purpose oil. Store according to manufacturer directions.