Chamber Supports Sales Tax Extension.

News Release -The Carthage Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to support the February 8 ballot issue of the continuation of the Capital Improvements tax for the City of Carthage.

The Chamber board feels that the City has been a good steward of past funding. The City, as previously established, transferred 95% of the annual capital improvements sales tax receipts to the Carthage Water & Electric to pay debt service payment on previously voter approved necessary utility projects which included the construction of two new water wells, two new elevated water storage tanks and over 17,000 feet of distribution line improvements. The City used 5% of the proceeds to make storm water system improvements.

The continuation of the sales tax will be used to fund the City of Carthage’s capital improvements program which includes over 190 projects totaling more than $44 million. The tax will fund projects such as North Garrison Street bridges, storm water projects, Baker Avenue Widening, Oak Street bridge improvements, fire department equipment, etc. The City has been unable to fund the list of projects and equipment due to the lack of revenue.

"The tax is necessary to make improvements to the community," stated Sabrina Drackert, President/Economic Development Director of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce. "To help Carthage grow and prosper we have to take care of our assets. If we are unable to pay for roads and bridges, how can we expect businesses to move into the community?" All people, including visitors, purchasing items inside the City of Carthage will pay the capital improvements tax.

The tax is a renewal of an existing sales tax that was approved by the voters in 1996 for capital improvements. The sales tax rate ½ of 1%, will not change and will continue for 20 years after the current tax terminates in March 2012.

It was the classic final few seconds of the basketball game. My brother’s high school team was down by one point. The coach had the team on the sideline with a time out because my brother had just been fouled and was preparin’ for a 1 and 1 free throw. Classic.

The coach was tryin’ settle the team down and turned to my brother to soothe the nerves.

"I don’t care what anyone else thinks," he said, "I think you can make it."

My brother didn’t get a chance to win the game, ‘cause he missed his first attempt. No tellin’ what the coach woulda said to him if there was the game winnin’ throw on the line instead of the tiein’ shot. I’m sure he woulda come up with other memorable words of wisdom.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Weekly Columns

HERE’S A TIP

By JoAnn Derson

• "Stir eggs while boiling to keep the yolks centered, such as when you are making deviled eggs or soft-boiled eggs for breakfast." -- T.D. in Mississippi

• Kitchen substitution: Make your own "sour milk" to stand in for buttermilk. Just add 1 tablespoon of either white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then add enough milk to make a cup. Stir and let stand a minute or two before using.

• To prevent hangnails, give yourself a hand massage and use a little olive oil while you’re at it. Rub a few drops of the oil into your nail beds for healthier cuticles.

• Your bar of soap will last longer if you let it dry out for a few days before using it.

• "If you have leftover paint in your can, get a balloon and blow it up to fit in the empty space of the can. Press it into the paint can and close the lid. It keeps a scummy glob from forming on the paint’s surface." -- A.C. in Washington

• Want a great, fluffy omelet? Use room-temperature eggs and add water instead of milk.