The City Council Budget/Ways and Means Committee made no substantial changes to the proposed fiscal year 2000/2001 City budget during last Thursday evening. Committee Chair Jackie Boyer instructed City Administrator Tom Short to prepare the document for presentation to the Council on the regular June 13 meeting.

A misunderstanding about approximately $65,000 in storm water grants led to a decision by the Committee to postpone the second phase of the storm water project in the River and Fairview area. Director of Engineering Joe Butler was under the impression that the $150,000 earmarked for the project did not include the grant. Short told the Committee that the grant was included. The $75,000 request for phase two will be considered for next year’s budget according to Boyer.

The Committee’s decision to use a 5 year lease to finance a $175,000 Street Department garage was opposed by Council member H.J. Johnson. The City received just over $100,000 from insurance on the burned structure and lost equipment. Johnson felt at least that money should be paid this year.

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126

I know I said last week that I was going to be writing about passed and failed legislation during these next few weeks, but in light of some of the news articles regarding this past Session, I think I will use this week to give an overview of this Session.

I have read several articles the past couple weeks that talked about what a dismal and unproductive Session it was. I didn’t look at it that way at all. The difference between the two philosophies was very evident on the last day of the Session. There are a lot of folks in Jefferson City that measure success by how many bills are passed each year. Before you subscribe to that philosophy, remember that most every new law either takes away some of your freedom or your money, or both.

With the way the House is currently run, most of the legislation that makes it to the House floor for debate and a vote has a very liberal flavor to it. At that point, my mode is to switch to damage control and do all I can to keep it from passing into law. Thankfully, there are getting to be more and more legislators that think that same way. Because of our increased numbers of legislators that think the best thing government can do is stay out of the pockets and liberties of our citizens, we were more successful than usual at stopping bad legislation. When your options are to do nothing or do something that is harmful, nothing is the best thing to do.

It is not like there weren’t good bills introduced. In the Ways and Means Committee alone there were several tax cut proposals that were never allowed out of the Committee by the Chairman. These bills would have meant more jobs and better wages for workers in Missouri, but like I said, under the leadership of Speaker Steve Gaw, no conservative ideas are allowed to have a day in the sun in the Missouri House.

From my point of view it was one of the most successful Sessions I have ever been involved in. Anytime we can hold the cost to our citizens down in terms of money and freedoms, we have had a good Session.

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.

There’s nothin’ much more aggravatin’’ than a machine that isn’t workin’. The old sayin’ that a car that isn’t runnin’ is nothin’ but a two thousand pound radio pretty much sums it up.

Another machine of questionable justification is those little boxes they call ice makers. On occasion. Even the folks that sell refrigerators tell ya they only expect ice makers ta work a couple three years. That’s why they’re so easy to replace.

Cordless phones are beginnin’ to edge up on my list of disposable conveniences also. For twenty or thirty bucks, ya toss out the two year old when the battery gets weak. At least it keeps ya "in style" while you’re yakin’ out in the garden. There’s still comfort in the fact that if ya break a hoe handle, you can still get down and use the blade

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health & Nutrition by Judith Sheldon

DANGEROUS INTERACTIONS: Granted, prescription drugs can be a pain, especially when you need a refill and the pharmacist won’t oblige until your doctor says it’s okay, and she’s out somewhere at a medical seminar. So, it’s no wonder many seniors were happy to learn that some of the medications they once had to have filled by the pharmacist could now be bought as an OTC, or over the counter preparation.

When dispensing prescription drugs, the pharmacist consults a patient’s current medication record and is able to determine if any of the drugs might interact adversely with the new medication. The pharmacist also notes the required dosage; the frequency of dosage; and whether to take the drug before or after eating, as well which foods to avoid while taking the drug.

But all these safety measures need not be lost in making the switch from prescription to OTC. First, before you buy an OTC medication, tell the pharmacist what other medications you’re using in case the OTC preparation might interact with any of them. The Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association (NDMA) also advises you to call your doctor to make sure the OTC preparation is right for you. And, of course, read the label for information that could help you avoid serious problems.