The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Volume XIX, Number 36

did ya know?.

Did Ya Know?.. . The Nazarene Church will host an American Red Cross Blood drive thur. aug. 19 from 11:30 to 6.

today's laugh

BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for fresh, organic vegetables.

AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful for microwaveable macaroni and cheese -- without which my children would be surviving on about three bites of cereal and their own spit.

BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for the opportunity to obtain a college education and have a higher quality of life than my ancestors.

AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful to finish a complete thought without being interrupted.

BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for holistic medicince and natural herbs.

AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful for pediatric cough syrup guaranteed to "cause drowsiness" in young children.

BEFORE CHILDREN: I was thankful for the opportunity to vacation in exotic foreign countries so I could experience a different way of life in a new culture.

AFTER CHILDREN : I am thankful to have time to make it all the way down the driveway to get the mail.


1910


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

He is Well Marked.

Ed Daur, of Joplin, was incarcerated in the county jail yesterday, for petit larceny. He is charged with attempting to carry off an armful of the stock of a butcher shop while drunk.

There would be no difficulty in identifying Daur, should such a necessity arise, as his arms are fantastically decorated with tatooed women and daggers, and resemble those of a South Sea islander.

At 4:30 o’clock, last evening, Probate Judge D.D. Kerr united in marriage Noal Enloe and Jennie Clyma, both of Galena, Kan. The wedding was performed in his office in the presence of a number of attorneys and the "court house crowd."

Special sale of burnt peanuts-a delicious confection-at Briles & Hatten’s.

  Today's Feature

City Tax Hearing Scheduled.

A Public Hearing will be held at 7:30 P.M., Tuesday, August 10,2010 and Tuesday, August 27, 2010 in the City Hall, Council Chambers, 326 Grant, Carthage, Missouri at which time citizens may be heard on the property tax rates proposed to be set by the City ofCarthage.

The total Assessed Valuations for the City dropped by approximately 1.3 million dollars as compared to last year. The current levy is .7338 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation. That translates to a total city property tax revenue of $854,580.

The proposed tax levy to be presented at the above hearing is .7499 per one hundred assessed valuation. This would mean that a property that retained its valuation from last year would see a slight increase in taxes, but the city would maintain the same overall dollar revenue.

A two million dollar reduction came from the commercial real estate assesments, while residential assements increased by almost eight hundred thousand.

Assessments are calculated by the county and city officials are still unsure where two million dollars of commercial real estate went.


MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

CITY OF CARTHAGE, MISSOURI

JULY 27,2010

The Carthage City Council met in regular session on the above date at 7:30 P.M. in the City Hall Council Chambers with Mayor J. Michael Harris presiding. The invocation was given by Interim Fire Chief Roger Williams and the flag salute was led by Police Chief Greg Dagnan.

The following Council Members answered roll call: Dan Rife, Brent Greninger, Claude Newport, Wayne Campbell, T. J. Teed, Diane Sharits, John Studebaker, Bill Welch and Lee Carlson. Council Member Charlie Bastin, Jr. was absent. City Attorney Nate Dally and City Administrator Tom Short were present.

Mrs. Sharits made a motion, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to approve the minutes of the July 13,2010 Council Meeting. Motion carried.

Mr. Newport reported the Budget Ways and Means Committee was between meetings.

Mrs. Sharits reported the Finance and Personnel Committee met on this date in Council Chambers and noted there had been two more cellular phone lawsuit settlements from T-Mobile and Cricket. The T-Mobile settlement would require a future Council Bill to collect funds of approximately $7,000.00 but the Cricket funds of approximately $2.00 would be forthcoming with no action required.

Reporting for the Public Services Committee, Mr. Greninger noted the Committee was between meetings.

Mr. Welch reported the Public Safety Committee met July 19, 2010. Mr. Welch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Teed, to allow the inner side of the Square on the South, West and East to be blocked from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on September 8,2010 for the Heart of the Ozarks Model T Club car show with the exception of the Sheriff’s spaces. Motion carried. Mrs. Sharits had a question on the date. Mr. Welch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to allow the street closing of 7th Street from Garrison to Lyon on September 18, 2010 from 1 :00 PM to 8:00 PM for the Festival of Friends. Motion carried. Mr. Welch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Teed, to allow the the street closing of Grant between 4th and 5th Streets during the hours of 9:00 AM to 8:00 AM for the Make A Wish Foundation fundraiser on September 18, 2010. Mr. Welch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to remove the 2 hour restricted parking on the lot at 4th Street and Howard and leave the Drake Parking and Handicap as is. Motion carried 8-0. Council Member Campbell was a nay vote and Council Member Bastin was absent. Mr. Welch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rife, to allow the operation and accept the fee schedule of Affordable Taxi owned by Jerry Dallies as follows: $6.00 from point A to B within the City Limits and $7.00 outside the City. Motion carried.

Mr. Rife reported the Public Works Committee met July 20, 2010. Mr. Rife made a motion, seconded by Mr. Campbel/, to accept the bid of Blevins Asphalt, Mt. Vernon, Missouri, in the amount of $46.30 per ton laid and $1.30 per gallon. Motion carried. The other bids were: APAC Missouri, Springfield, Missouri, $47.00 per ton laid and $2.10 per gal/on and Swift Construction, Neosho, Missouri, $57.96 per ton laid and $2.50 per gallon. Mr. Rife made a motion, seconded by Mr. Studebaker, to accept the State bid from Putnam Chevrolet in California, Missouri, for a new Chevrolet, 4x4 regular cab truck in the amount of $18,494.00 at the Street Department. Motion carried. Mr. Rife noted the truck would be white instead of Street Department orange due to cost factors since the budgeted amount was $19,000.00.

Special Committee and Board Liaison Reports were given by the following: Mr. Newport, Carthage Water & Electric Board; Mr. Welch, Carthage Humane Society; Mr. Studebaker, Kellogg Lake Board; Mr. Studebaker, Battle of Carthage Sesquicentennial Ad-Hoc Committee; Mr. Carlson, Planning, Zoning &Historic Preservation Commission and Mrs. Sharits, Chamber of Commerce.

Under the Mayor’s report, Troop #9 was in attendance as part of a Citizenship Badge requirement and Mayor Harris asked the scouts and their leaders to stand up and be recognized. Mayor Harris remarked there had been another busy weekend with many events taking place in the City. Mayor Harris added he has had meetings with RES Representatives and there is a good possibility the plant will re-open. Jo Ann Radetic, Missouri DNR, met with the Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation Commission on the Certified Local Government Program.

City Attorney Dally thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to attend the Missouri Municipal Attorney’s Conference. Mr. Dally provided details on areas the City may need to change procedures such as DWI reporting by court personnel and public works demolitions. An update was given by Mr. Dally on the KAMO easement lawsuit and the recent telecom settlements.

City Administrator Tom Short provided details on the following: a meeting with MoDOT officials, Sprenkle & Associates, Eastern County Commissioner Jim Honey and the Mayor on federal funds for bridges in Carthage, primarily the North Garrison bridges; the rescheduling of a collective bargaining seminar in Joplin cancelled 10 minutes prior to it’s start; the final transfer amount of $76,500.00 from the General Revenue to the Golf Fund for operating expenses; the decline in Taxi Grant funds for next fiscal year due to budget cuts; details on the joint guardrail project with MoDOT near McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital to be discussed at the next Public Works Meeting and a future Memorandum of Understanding with the Humane Society on property near the facility owned by the City and McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital.

Police Chief Greg Dagnan gave an update on the upcoming Marian Days Celebration August 4-8, 2010. Chief Dagnan added the City would be in good hands as Captain Kaiser takes over for him during his 6 week medical leave.

Public Works Director Zeb Carney reported the Stormwater Pump in the alley behind the 300 block of Euclid had been replaced and recently re-installed. The testing of the pump with the cooperation of the fire department was successful. Mr. Carney wished Chief Dagnan well with his upcoming surgery and recovery.

Parks Director Alan Bull announced the pool was back open after the recent vandalism and he praised the work by the Police Department.

The Committee on Claims filed a report in the amount of $3,900,515.42 against the following funds: General Revenue $115,864.23; Public Health $104,718.29; Golf Course Fund $9,502.19; Powers Museum $3,021.11; Parks/Stormwater $8,000.00; Payroll $274,409.60; Carthage Water & Electric $2,000,000.00 and McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital $1,385,000.00. Mrs. Sharits made a motion, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to accept the report and allow the claims. Motion carried.

No one spoke during the Citizen’s PartiCipation Period.

Under old business, C. B. 10-22 an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute a Contract between the City of Carthage and Center for Community Studies Studio, Drury University for developing and testing conceptual ideas for the City of Carthage’s Courthouse Square District redevelopment was placed on second reading followed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas and no nays. Council Member Bastin was absent. Bill passed.

C. B. 10-23 an Ordinance to add a new section to Chapter 23, Article X, of the Carthage Code establishing an ordinance for Golf Carts was placed on second reading followed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas and no nays. Council Member Bastin was absent. Bill passed. Prior to the vote Mr. Welch, Mr. Campbell and Mrs. Sharits discussed the bill.

C. B. 10-24 an Ordinance rezoning certain property at 2207 Grand Ave. in the City of Carthage from "An First Dwelling, to "D" Local Business as requested by Anthony Tran was placed second on reading followed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas and no nays. Council Member Bastin was absent. Bill passed.

C. B. 10-25 an Ordinance rezoning certain property at 1339 W. Central Ave. in the City of Carthage from "A" First Dwelling, to "E" General Business as requested by Jimmie Fortner was placed on second reading followed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas and no nays. Council Member Bastin was absent. Bill passed.

C. B. 10-26 an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Carthage Humane Society for animal control services for the City of Carthage was placed second reading followed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas and no nays. Council Member Bastin was absent. Bill passed. Mr. Newport provided more details on the contract prior to the vote.

C. B. 10-27 an Ordinance amending the Annual Operating and Capital Budget of the City of Carthage for the fiscal year 2009-2010 was placed on second reading followed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas and no nays. Council Member Bastin was absent. Bill passed.

C. B. 10-28 an Ordinance to arnend Chapter 25 Zoning. of the Code of Carthage was placed on second reading followed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas and no nays. Council Member Bastin was absent. Bill passed. Mr. Newport had a question on how the I ordinance would be enforced and it was answered by Mr. Dally.

Under new business, C.B. 10-29 an Ordinance to amend Chapter 4, Articles I and II of the t Code of Carthage regarding Animals, to provide for the managed care of Feral Cats was placed on first reading with no action taken.

I

C.B. 10-30 an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Blevins Asphalt Construction Co., Inc. for the annual Asphalt Paving Contract for fiscal year 2011 (not to exceed $108,000 in cost, per the 2011 fiscal year budget) was placed on first reading with no action taken.

Mr. Welch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Newport, to approve the Mayor’s Appointment of Sabrina Drackert to the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board replacing John Bode. Motion carried.

In closing remarks, Mr. Rife, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Sharits and Mr. Studebaker recognized Boy Scout Troop 9 and Mayor Harris noted he was once a member of Troop 9. Council Members wished Chief Dagan well during his surgery and recovery.

Mr. Carlson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Welch, to adjourn the Council meeting. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.



Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

I’m always hesitant to note the passing of any individual, because we don’t typically publish obituaries and it might appear that we place a higher value on one person’s life over another.

In the recent months the community as a whole has lost several and I feel that collectively they represent a perspective and historical capsule of the community over the last half of the 20th century.

Ray Grace, Marvin VanGilder, Dr. Russell Smith, and as of yesterday morning, Jim Spradling no longer contribute their earthly wisdom, humor, and spirit to Carthage and the surrounding area.

An old George Jones tune asks "who’s gonna fill their shoes." Hopefully the community can continue to attract and retain some of the talent and passion represented by these individuals.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.


Sponsored by Carthage Printing Services

Weekly Columns

To Your Good Health

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Fungus, Not Sun, Causes Sunspots

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What causes sunspots? They appear even when we have not been exposed to the sun. -- Anon.

ANSWER: The sun has nothing to do with sunspots. A fungus is their cause. The fungus depigments patches of skin so they are lighter than the surrounding skin. The sun comes into play only because it darkens the surrounding skin and the spots stand out like a sore thumb.

Selenium sulfide and fungal medicines like Lotrimin, Naftin and Tinactin can usually dislodge the fungus. The depigmented skin stays light for quite some time, and people believe the medicines have not worked. In time, pigmentation returns.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 76. I am the fifth of eight boys. Three had the shingles. Our parents are gone. I want to get the shingles vaccine, but was told by friends that you cannot get the shot if you did not have chickenpox. I don’t remember whether I had chickenpox. -- P.

 

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I recovered from shingles a few years ago. After hearing many horror stories about shingles, I wonder if I should consider getting the vaccine to prevent another outbreak. -- J.V.

ANSWER: Almost every older American has been infected with the chickenpox virus, whether or not they can remember having had the illness. That indicates that almost all older Americans still harbor the chickenpox virus in their nerve cells. In later years, the virus escapes from nerve cells and travels down the nerve to the skin, where it brings about an outbreak of shingles. Therefore, all older people qualify for the shingles vaccine, regardless of their ability to remember having had chickenpox.

Authorities recommend that those who have had a shingles outbreak get the vaccine. It is true that a shingles outbreak affords some protection against a second outbreak, but return visits from the shingles virus do occur, so, J.V., you qualify for the vaccine.

Shingles is a painful experience, and the pain can last long after the rash has gone.

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