Annexation Policy Concerns.

The formulation of a general and specific annexation policy was discussed in more detail during the regular Public Works Committee meeting last Tuesday.

City Engineering Department Director Joe Butler outlined some suggestions from that department.

"What we had written up originally was just to have the property requesting annexation reviewed by the Engineering Department," said Butler. "And make sure we discuss thoroughly what the problems are that they are experiencing, why they want to come in, and write this thing up so we can give it to Council for intelligent conversation. Take it through this committee."

"I don’t think annexations go through any committee right now, they just show up on the Council floor. It goes to the City Clerk, then to Engineering where we do a time table and then we annex them in."

"(We recommend) no rezoning as they annex. If you want to rezone the property, you annex it in first, then you rezone once you get in."

"That’s about all we had. We’re counting on you guys for some more input."

Committee member Charlie Bastin expressed support for strict zoning regulations. He noted a recent attempt by a landowner to bring in property that was currently used as residential. The owners wanted a business zoning with the annexation.

Butler recommends bringing in property zoned as it is current usage. Then the owner could apply for a zoning change just as any other property owner in the City must do.

Committee member H.J. Johnson wants the property to meet current minimum County requirements for septic systems, if septic systems were allowed at all. He said his preference would be to see any property that was annexed be connected to the City sewer system.

"I know we’ve got septic systems (in the City)," said Johnson, "I know we’re going to have to live with them for a long time, but I hate to keep piling them in. Especially a bunch of them together."

City Administrator Tom Short questioned whether the City should bring in one property at a time, or wait for a group of properties to come in together.

Property owners are currently required to pay for any sewer or water extensions.

Short suggested that one possibility would require any property within 300 feet of a sewer line to be connected to the system. Butler was requested to bring a written draft back to the Committee.

Lots To See If You Come By !!

by Robin Putnam, artCentral

With the coming of spring and the promise of nicer weather we hope everyone will take a few minutes out of their busy schedules and come by and look around. Besides the great art in our downstairs gallery we have a beautiful painting titled Mardi Gras, by Richard Foshay, hanging in our second floor Member’s Gallery, two print racks in the library full of member’s prints and some original sketches from last year’s life drawing sessions, a large selection of catalogs fea-turing everything from Wins-low Homer to Norman Rockwell and back again as well as Katherine’s beautiful home for you to check out !!

If you can’t find something you like here with us there is always the net.......

Two places to find original works, prints, limited edition giclee prints, posters, art news, framing tips and info in general are www.art sourceonline.com and www.artaffairs.com. Check those out sometime!!

While surfing one of those sites it was really amazing to see how much money is being donated to art museums and organizations. Intel gave 5 million (!!) to the Whitney Museum of Art in New York. The National Gallery of Art in DC was given 1 million by a local consulting firm AND 75 million in CASH (!!) as well as two Van Gogh paintings by a wealthy philantropist named Paul Mellon who died in February. Talk about generous donations!!

Speaking of generous donations we are very excited and soooo pleased to be able to say that we have received a donation from the Helen S. Boylan Foundation !! This grant will help with the costs involved in putting on our kids artCamp !! We thank the Board very much for their consideration and generosity !!!

Remember.....Joe’s exhibit is over March 17th and the next opening is March 24th.

More.......next week. 358-4404. 1110 E 13th & www. ozarkartistscolony.com under organizations. Our hours are Tues. - Sat. 9am - 3pm and Sundays 12 - 4pm.

I’m sure ever’one like to think that "civilized" folks don’t get down and dirty from time to time. There are prob’ly those who feel it would be a better world if ever’one could sit down at the diner table and calmly discuss various opinions and give all arguments equal weight.

The fact is, unless someone gets a little fire in their belly now and then, nothin’ much gets accomplished. It is one thing to keep some rational basis for a passion, but to ask folks with a passion to not call on that emotion to promote their case seems a little unrealistic.

The response of political candidates under pressure often offers insight into their character and composure. Like it or not, some jungle instincts are still a valuable part of our nature.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street Health & Herbs

Allergy and hay fever season is upon us. As much as we love to see the trees awaken from their winter dormancy, many are plaqued with an allergic response to the early bloomers. The immune system becomes oversensitive to these foreign substances, which may also include dust, mold, animal dander and foods just to name a few. Symptoms may vary from person to person.

There is a variety of supplements including some very specific homeopathic remedies which have been used successfully by sufferers. According to Dr. Andrew Weil some of the following may be just the ticket for relief.

Vit. C. plus bioflavonoids for its antihistamine and anti-inflammatory response.

Quercetin plus bromelain is said to help stabilize the membranes of the that release histamine, which causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. It is suggested by Dr. Weil to start taking the quercetin or a combination approximately two weeks before pollen season for the utmost results.

Essential Fatty acids to reduce the inflammatory response.

Vitamin B complex with extra pantothenic acid or an adrenal formula to support the adrenal glands which are often weakened by allergies.

Digestive enzymes with meals to aid digestion. Recent research has found that individuals with allergies may be deficient in digestive enzymes.