More Signal and Street Talk.

The Public Works Committee is scheduled to hear an update on the proposed "Safe Passage" system during the regular meeting this afternoon at 5:15 in City Hall.

A demonstration of a prototype was presented during the last meeting. Developed by a local company, the device would allow traffic signals to turn red in all directions if approached by a local emergency vehicle that had warning lights flashing. The Committee is awaiting information concerning the warranties of signals at Garrison and Central before making a recommendation to the Public Safety Committee.

Also scheduled for discussion and consideration is the City’s incentive program for developers. Developer Bill Wilson has requested to speak with the Committee. Wilson’s request for reimbursement for street construction was turned down during the last regular Committee meeting. According to City Director of Engineering Joe Butler, traditionally the incentive for streets was only paid in conjunction with incentives for curb and gutter construction. The Committee understood no curb and gutter reimbursement was requested.

Commentary
Martin "Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126

This Session just keeps getting sadder and sadder. Earlier this year, I wrote about how we weren’t allowed to offer amendments to the multi billion dollar tobacco settlement.

I need to point out that the House of Representatives in Missouri is run by the party with the most seats. Since the 1950s, that has been the democratic party. Rep. Steve Gaw is currently the Speaker and under his leadership, the House democrats have operated in a bitter, partisan fashion.

This week, we were working late on Wednesday when the democrats, with Speaker Gaw presiding, tried to ignore the Constitution of Missouri. One of the most frustrating things I have seen since being here is that during a vote, the democrats will vote how the Speaker tells them to, and then will run up and change their votes. Let me explain.

It takes 82 votes to pass a bill in the House. When the board opens, the democrats all vote the way the Speaker wants, even if it is against the wishes of their district. Then, once the vote is over, House rules allow a member to change their vote as long as it doesn’t affect whether a bill passes or fails. In other words, if a bill passes with 90 votes, up to 8 members can change their vote from yes to no. This allows as many of their members as possible to change their votes to be more in line with their districts.

After seeing this go on for years, we decided to have every roll call vote verified. This entails a physical reading of the vote of every member immediately after the voting board is closed, after which no member may change their vote.

We did this on several votes Wednesday night. Next thing we knew, Speaker Gaw had recognized the Majority Floor Leader for a motion to do away with the rule that allows for a verification of a roll call. This came after they had shut off debate on over half of the bills we had hoped to debate that evening.

The whole situation was a sad commentary on the way the Missouri House of Representatives is being run. What makes it even sadder is that Steve Gaw wants to be the next Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is charged with running fair elections in Missouri. If he can’t run a fair vote in the House, how can we expect him to run fair elections in Missouri?

As usual, I can be reached at House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or 1-800-878-7126, or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments, or advice.

Living With Grief: Children, Adolescents, and Loss.

new release

On Wednesday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m., University Outreach and Extension will host the seventh annual Hospice Foundation of America National Bereavement Teleconference. "Living With Grief: Children, Adolescents, and Loss," moderated by Cokie Roberts of ABC News, will examine ways to help children and adolescents cope with loss.

The program will offer insight and practical suggestions for those assisting young people with issues that include death, serious illness, divorce, and other traumatic incidents. The teleconference is intended for both professionals and laypeople who deal with young people.

This program is offered free of charge. Continuing Education credits are available for a wide range of professions. For more information about the teleconference, contact the University Outreach and Extension Center in Carthage at 417-358-2158.

Fifth Annual Relay For Life.

news release American Cancer Society

I’m sure everyone at sometime or another has been directly or indirectly involved with someone’s fight with cancer. You felt helpless, nothing you could do, well here’s your chance.

The Fifth Annual Relay for Life will be held June 9th and June 10th at Central Park in Carthage. We are in the need for teams. Community members from businesses, schools, churches as well as cancer survivors, their families and friends, all come together to fight this nasty disease.

We need teams of 8 to 15 people (the more you have the less you need to walk) to pull together to walk through the night, rain or shine. This is more than a fundraiser, this is a celebration of those people who have beat the odds and for those who have not.

This is a fun-filled weekend to be had by all. For more information please contact Nancy at 358-3560, Lana at 359-8120, Teresa at 359-5702 or the American Cancer Society at 624-6808.

I’ve never been to a toothpick factory. Now I’ve whittled a few in my day, but I can imagine they use the same technique as I do ta fill all those boxes they sell ever’day.

I suppose the same folks that make toothpicks branch out into other fields such as match sticks and maybe even pencils.

In Army C rations they used ta have a little wood tooth brush of sorts. Ya chew on it for a while ta make it soft and then used it ta brush your teeth.

I suppose they still make those flat toothpicks. I’ve always preferred the round ones. The main advantage of course bein’ you’ve got two pickin’ ends. Twice the picks for the same money. Course I can see the advantage of the flat ones if you’re on a boat, they don’t roll off the table.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

April is National STD Awareness Month. During these 30 days, health authorities, such as the American Social Health Association (ASHA), will make a concerted effort to alert people to the growing incidences of sexually transmitted diseases, especially among young adults and teenagers.

According to a release from ASHA, among the 12 million new infections reported in the United States each year, two-thirds occur in people under 25; one fourth of the cases are being found in teenagers.

STDs are more common in the United States than allergies, arthritis, or lung disease. The facts are, STDs can be prevented; many are curable; and most can be treated.

However, it’s important to know that adolescents contracting an STD infection could well be affected by them throughout their lives. For example, the STDs that are caused by viruses, such as genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS are, so far, incurable. HPV may also be involved with cervical cancer.

The two most common bacterial infections, chlamydia and gonorrhea, are curable, but can cause severe side effects, including infertility, if not diagnosed and treated early.

Knowledge is always the best ally against disease. People of all ages need to learn the facts about STDs.