The City Council approved only two of five Council bills scheduled for vote during Tuesday’s regular meeting agenda. A bill to approve a new plat of the Myers Park Development was added to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting also was approved.

The fact that only seven members of the Council were in attendance did not appear to play any role in the lack of movement for the other bills. Members Fortune, Bastin, and McPheeters were absent.

A motion to postpone authorizing an agreement with Victorian Carthage for marketing services was made by Council member Lujene Clark. She said that the board had not yet met to clarify questions about the hiring of a new director but answers should be available at the next Council meeting.

McCune Brooks Administrator Bob Copeland informed the Council that attempts to purchase a portion of the former Consumers parking lot appeared to be fruitless. He said he has not received formal notification, the seller is not going to complete the deal. The Council voted to postpone action on the propose purchase until the next meeting to await further information.

The Council also defeated a bill that would have authorized an exclusive sellers agreement with Southwest Agency. Several last minute amendments to the bill prompted Council member Jackie Boyer to suggest the bill be defeated and a new agreement be presented for the Council to consider. City Attorney Dave Mouton is to assist in cleaning up the contract.

The Council did approve an agreement with American Red Cross for use of Memorial hall for disaster service. The agreement is for use of the hall as headquarters for services and emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster.

The Council also approved the rezoning of property located at 800 W. Central from local business to general business as requested by Wayman and Karen Bryant. The action will allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in the restaurant at that location.

The Council approved a resolution to continue financial incentives for the construction of streets and curb and gutters for housing developments.

Tomato Fruitworms Cause Serious Damage.

news release University Outreach & Extension

If you notice holes on some of the green tomatoes on your tomato plants, they are caused by an insect called the tomato fruitworm. This is the same insect that feeds on sweet corn ears known as the corn earworm. They develop from a tan or beige moth with black spots on the outer wing and fly at night laying eggs on the underside of tomato leaves near the flower cluster. Eggs are white and about the size of a pin head when laid, developing a reddish colored ring later. They are often eaten by a small wasp, which causes them to turn black. The eggs hatch into worms that crawl toward the small young fruit. They bore into the fruit eating a large cavity inside. They enter near the stem or in the stem scar where the stem attaches to the fruit.

Unlike sweet corn where the worms stay in one ear, tomato fruitworms may eat from one fruit to another. Tomato fruitworms are usually not prevalent because there is so much sweet corn to feed on and corn is a preferred host. But in a year like this one with an early spring season, tomato fruitworms have been causing serious damage. You can scout for fruitworm eggs on the undersides of young leaves on tomato plants. Once the worm is inside the fruit and eating, there is little that can be done for control. Fruits usually rot from secondary bacteria or fungi that enter the fruit through the worm holes.

Don’t know if ya made it to the Annual County Auction that was held yesterday afternoon, but it usually turns a pretty good crowd.

The City has typically had a good chunk a stuff to be auctioned that the County works in. This year several other public type agencies utilized the auction to get rid of surplus items.

The County doesn’t charge other agencies for this valuable service. I’m sure no one thinks much of it, but just wanted to acknowledge the efforts of those who literally sweat through the sale each year. ‘Sides bein’ a good deal for the taxpayer’s money, there are usually some good deals for the taxpayers.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a 1985 Pontiac Sunbird with 38,500 miles. A couple of weeks ago, my husband forgot to put the cap back over the oil filler tube under the hood. About 30 miles later, I was going slow through a residential neighborhood and noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I phoned my husband and he came and put the oil filler cap back on, wiped off the surrounding area with a rag, and filled the car back up with oil. The car ran fine after that.

Three days later, about after 50 more miles of driving, I came to a Stop sign and the car went dead. No warning! I phoned my husband, who insisted on putting a "tow rope" on my car so his car could pull the car home, with me in the driver’s seat. I was against the idea, but he insisted. The tow rope became tangled up in one of the front wheels, and damaged a "boot" on the inside part of the wheel.

After several days of work, my husband replaced the boot, but the car still won’t start. My husband says that no gasoline is being pumped into the engine. He says the gas filter is dry. He insists this has nothing to do with leaving the oil filler cap off, and oil spilling all over the engine. Is this true?- Charlotte

RAY: Yes, it is true, Charlotte. Your current problem sounds like a bad fuel pump or fuel pump relay to me, which your husband will probably figure out after six or eight months of playing around with it in his driveway. And it is unrelated to him leaving the oil filter off last week.

TOM: However, we are not prepared to leave him off the hook entirely. After all, he did insist on towing your car with a rope. And that manuever rates pretty far up there on the knucklehead scale.