From The Minutes.

Carthage Economic Development Corporation

Board of Directors

November 17, 2011 -8 a.m. CW&EP Centennial Complex

"Attending: CEDC Chairman Bill Lee-Arvest, CEDC Vice Chairman Bob CopelandMBRH, CEDC Secretary Treasurer Stan Schmidt, Schmidt & Associates, CEDC Executive Assistant Sabrina Drackert-Chamber President (Conference Call), Robert E. Williams-CW&EP General Manager, Ken Johnson-CW&EP Board Member, Pete Metcalf-Metcalf Auto, J. O. Phelps, Steve Beimdiek-Beimdiek Insurance Agency, Jim Hess-L&P, Tom Short-City Administrator, Lonnie Heckmaster-Hometown Bank, Bob Hess-SMB, Susan Wendleton-CW&EP, Chuck Bryant-CW&EP. Absent: Lonnie Heckmaster-Hometown Bank.

Chairman Lee called the meeting to order and turned the floor over to Williams. A letter from Allgeier, Martin and Associates with estimated cost analysis of a Proposed Industrial Park on property owned by Phil Blankenship was reviewed. Williams reported some issues, primarily on the north side of railroad tracks, with one strip pit on the south side of tracks which is full of what is thought to be household trash that would require some cleanup. The north side of the property has significant issue with runoff and strip pits and also presents more issues with potential railroad crossings and access from Fairview. His recommendation, and the general consensus of the group, would be to only consider the 152 acres on the south side of the railroad tracks.

Pros and cons of that location were compared to the previously discussed 600 acres in the Precious Moments area. For near term needs, Williams noted that wastewater infrastructure already available at the Fir Road site would make it most feasible to have available in the next couple of years for industrial development and as a stop gap measure over the next ten years.

Drackert reported that site requests have dropped off over the last quarter which would be typical of this time of year and is consistent with other areas of the country in the current economic environment. She would anticipate the requests picking up after the first of the year.

Williams noted that in previous meetings a lease agreement was considered on the Blankenship property. CW&EP Management, Board and its attorney do not feel comfortable adding infrastructure on a lease instead of a purchase. CW&EP would propose that the CEDC purchase the 152 acres of land with CW&EP entering into an operating agreement, similar to the one with the Chamber for economic development. CEDC would have income through the agreed upon annual fees which could be used for carrying out the mission of the CEDC.

A general discussion ensued pertaining to the current price of farm land in the area.

A motion by Beimdiek and seconded by Copeland to authorize Williams to begin negotiations for the purchase of 152 acres, as identified by the maps presented, of land from Phil Blankenship in an initial offer of $2,000 per acre passed unanimously.

Williams will work with Attorney Malcolm Robertson to draft an agreement between CW &EP and the CEDC. Williams was asked to keep the CEDC apprised of the situation as it develops.

A motion by Beimdiek and seconded by Schmidt to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 a.m. passed unanimously."

Jasper County Jail Count

173 December 12, 2011

Total Including Placed out of County

I got whacked pretty good with a baseball bat when I was a kid. Some prob’ly figured as much. My older brother did the deed and I have become convinced over the years that it wasn’t intentional. The thought of that incident prob’ly sends chills down his back but I really don’t remember it much. I’m guessin’ I had a pretty good goose egg on my noggin’ for a while.

I can remember hearin’ old timers talkin’ ‘bout their amazement of livin’ as long as they did. I’m gettin’ a better idea of what they were talkin’ about as I look back at the times when I came close to major injury from time to time. With the passin’ years, I have been able tell mom about most of ‘em. There are still a couple I’m savin’ till she matures a little more.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Weekly Column

To Your Good Health

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Some Fibroids Need No Treatment

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 37, have two children and also have fibroids. My periods are quite heavy. My doctor says that removal of the uterus is the best way to end my problem. My husband and I would like to have more children. What other options do I have? --P.S.

ANSWER: The uterus is a large, hollow muscle with an internal layer that grows every month in preparation for the reception of a fertilized egg. Fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterine muscle. They’re common, and for most women they cause few, if any, symptoms. Large fibroids can compress the bladder and provoke frequent urination. Or they can press on the colon and bring on constipation. They sometimes reduce the chances of pregnancy. They can be responsible for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Their cause hasn’t been discovered, but female hormones must be involved in their appearance, because they tend to regress with menopause.

If they’re not producing symptoms, they can be ignored. If they are kicking up a fuss, hysterectomy -- removal of the uterus -- is one solution, but not the only one. Options depend on what the woman wants.

For a woman approaching menopause, the medicine Lupron is a good choice. It suppresses estrogen production, which shrinks fibroids. Since this has a time limit on use, women who will soon be menopausal are the ones who can take advantage of it.

Danazol (a synthetic male hormone), birth-control pills and Depo-Provera control excessive menstrual bleeding due to fibroids.

Sometimes doctors can remove a fibroid with a scope that enters the uterus through the vagina without any external cutting.

Uterine artery embolization is a procedure where the doctor threads a soft tube (a catheter) to the artery feeding the fibroid. When the right position is reached, the doctor releases particles that obstruct the artery and cut off blood supply to the fibroid. It falls off.