Mornin' Mail

The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Thursday, September 14, 2000 Volume IX, Number 62

Did Ya Know?. . .The next Diabetes Support Group will be from 4 - 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27, 2000 in the dining room at McCune-Brooks Hospital in Carthage. The guest speaker will be Dr. Mark Westhoff who will speak about dental problems that might be more common in diabetes.

Did Ya Know?. . .The Battle of Carthage Civil War Museum would like to form a Friends Group for the Civil War Museum located at 205 Grant street, Carthage. Anyone interested in being involved in this organization should please contact Sandra Baker, Carthage Memorial Hall, 407 South Garrison, Carthage, MO, 64836, Phone 417-237-7050, Fax 417-237-7051

today's laugh

A woman tried on a dozen pairs of glasses with different lenses. Nothing seemed to be right for her. To keep her from becoming unhappy, the eye doctor said, "Finding the right glasses can be very difficult."
The woman said, "Especially when you’re shopping for a friend!"

He’s written about six children’s books, but not on purpose.

I asked a waiter in a restaurant for a suggestion. He said, "Don’t wear that color tie with that suit."

1900
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

IT WAS HIS "OFF" DAY.

Charlie French Had Many Troubles Yesterday.

Charlie French says that yesterday was an unlucky day for him, for in addition to suffering from the heat and doing but little business, he had the complete "series of three" accidents. In the morning the hired girl knocked a big pane of glass out of the parlor door. At noon Mr. French knocked the globe and chimney off of a handsome art lamp, and at 4 o’clock in the afternoon his boy, Ran, had a runaway, which came very near proving serious. The horse was frightened by the breaking of a singletree, which caught on the shaft. Seeing that he could not stop the frightened animal the boy jumped out and the wheel ran over his leg. The wagon was then overturned, the horse breaking loose and running back to the barn. Very little damage was done.

Today's Feature

Airport Condemnation Strategy.

The City Council voted in closed session Tuesday evening to authorize the City Attorney to prepare a council bill that would officially begin condemnation proceedings to acquire property for the proposed new airport. The bill is scheduled to appear in first reading during the September 26 regular Council meeting. The meeting will be open to the public.

According to the results posted Wednesday morning of the closed meeting, the Council was split on the issue. The vote of 5-5 was broken by Mayor Kenneth Johnson in favor to proceed.

The Mayor told the Mornin’ Mail Wednesday morning that he just wanted to get the issue settled. He said that in an earlier meeting the Council had shown support for the condemnation proceedings with a 7-3 vote. The vote at last Tuesday’s meeting was reported as Larry Ross, Jackie Boyer, Art Dunaway, Lujene Clark, and Don Stearnes in favor, and H.J. Johnson, Charlie Bastin, Bill Fortune, J.D. Whitledge, and Jim McPheeters against.

The City has made offers to purchase the property based on a verified appraisal and is not satisfied with counter offers.

The necessity of the Council bill to move the condemnation proceedings into the legal arena will reintroduce the public to the proposed airport discussion. For the last few months, all discussion of the issue has been related to the negotiations for purchase. These discussions have been in closed sessions as is allowed by state statute. The upcoming bill will not concern negotiations, but the decision to proceed with legal remedies. It will afford an opportunity for the community and property owners of the proposed airport a glimpse into the collective thinking of the Council.

Council member H.J. Johnson (who is the owner of this paper) makes the following statement.

"What the property owners need to take note of," says Johnson, "is the fact that the City has set aside enough money to purchase the property at the appraised value. Legitimate offers have been made based on that appraisal and the full Council has approved that appropriation. The 5-5 vote shows there is the possibility that the City will walk away from the deal if the cost for the property is too high. Before this vote the property owners may have felt the least they could get would be the appraised value, now they must consider the fact that the offer may be withdrawn entirely."

The Council meets in City Hall every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Just Jake Talkin'

Mornin',

The Council voted to accept the matching 50/50 grant from the Missouri Veterans Commission for around $375,000 to renovate a portion of Memorial Hall last Tuesday. They also voted to approach the Steadley Trust and Boylan Foundation for further grants to help with the other half of the money. Should go a long way to sprucin’ up the structure for future use.

Also approved was the bid for a new Street Department Maintenance buildin’ to replace the one damaged by fire last winter. The materials for the metal structure won’t get here till ‘bout Thanksgivin’. Gonna push to get it up ‘fore winter hits. Looks like the new Parks Department maintenance buildin’ may have ta wait till spring. Plans still aren’t finalized.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.