The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Tuesday, March 20, 2001 Volume IX, Number 192

did ya know?



Did Ya Know?. . .The Carthage R-9 School District Board of Education and administrators will host a community forum for the purpose of informing the public of the April 3 bond issue. The session will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 22nd at Fairview Elementary School. Everyone is invited.

Did Ya Know?. . .The Carthage Water & Electric Plant Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 15th has been postponed due to lack of a quorum. The meeting has been rescheduled for Thurs., March 22nd at 1 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Did Ya Know?. . .The American Red Cross will hold a Salad Luncheon from
11 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 29th at the United Methodist Church in Carthage. Tickets are $4 each and delivery is available. Proceeds will go toward local programming. For more information call 358-4334.


today's laugh

He’s very mean. A man was drowning while he was fishing. My uncle watched him go down twice and when the man came up for the third time, my uncle said, "When you go down the next time, see if my bait is still on the hook."

"What makes him act so grouchy?"
"Oh, he’s teething."
"Teething?"
"Yes...they keep slipping out."


1901
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

WILL TAKE THE RISK.

Andrew Griep Off Tonight to Work Up His Bicycle Ride.

Andrew Griep, the daring young wheelman of this city, has determined to make his hazardous ride around the inside of a hoop track and will leave tonight for Kansas City and St. Louis to hunt for a manager — and someone willing to put up the money for his track, etc. He will visit his mother at Monett en route.

The plan for his inverted ride, with head downward, has been previously described in the newspaper. Griep has worked out his theory to his own satisfaction by rolling an iron ball down an incline and up around the inside of a hoop-like track. He then calculated his own weight as compared to the iron ball, and designed his track therefrom.

  Today's Feature

Kellogg Lake Planning.


The Kellogg Lake Planning Committee is scheduled to meet in City Hall this evening at 7 p.m. Several area State representatives have been invited to attend.

The agenda includes a discussion of the Walnut Bottoms, possible wetlands, and a general discussion of the Kellogg Lake area.

Public interest in the development and maintenance of the Kellogg Lake area has been growing and over twenty interested parties attended the last Committee meeting.

The ordinance passed last week by the Council that bans the possession of alcoholic beverages in glass containers was partially driven by the problem of glass ending up in Kellogg Lake and the surrounding area.


Annual Asphalt Bids.


The Public Works Committee is scheduled to review bids for asphalt paving for the upcoming year during the regular Committee meeting today at 4 p.m in City Hall.

The bids typically include the paving of several hundred feet of streets in the City and the purchase price of asphalt to be used by the City Street Department.


Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126

We have reached the halfway point of the 2001 Session of the Legislature. We start Spring Break this week, so if you need to get in touch with me this week, it will be best to catch me at home.

All in all, it has been a fairly uneventful Session so far. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the results of the special election in the 18th Senatorial district. That was the Senate seat vacated when Joe Maxwell was elected Lt. Governor. All the ‘experts’ expected that seat to be won by the democrat candidate. Even though that area has always been very conservative, it has always elected democrats. This time the issues took center stage. It was correctly pointed out the democrat candidate did not support gun owner’s rights and was very pro choice, while the republican was pro life and was a supporter of the second amendment.

There is little argument those two issues were the defining theme of the election. There is nothing like an upset election to get everyone’s attention. It is very common for rural democrat legislators to claim to wear the conservative mantle and then vote against their district in order to toe the party line and stay in good with the democrat leadership. Much of that has changed this year. Many rural democrats are watching their votes closer.

The new attitude has even reached the top levels of government. Gov. Bob Holden put off making his first State of the State Address until after the special elections were over. By his office’s own admission, he scaled back or eliminated several proposals he had planned on making. He has even expressed a willingness to discuss a proposal to allow conceal and carry. He had been adamantly opposed to this proposal, but again, rural democrats are putting pressure on him to consider it since the people in those districts voted overwhelmingly in favor of it. It was killed by the votes of the people of Kansas City and St. Louis in the general election two years ago.

I have always believed the best form of lobbying comes from the voters, not the highly paid suits walking the halls of government. I think some of the new attitudes we are seeing lends some credibility to that theory.

We will be resuming Session on March 26 and will go until our usual adjournment of mid-May. It will be interesting to see if the new attitudes continue as it gets to crunch time late in the 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.


Red, White & Boom 2001
In Full Swing.

news release

Plans for Carthage’s 2001 July 4th Celebration are in its’ final stages.

This event is fast becoming the largest Celebration of its’ kind in Southwest Missouri and last year was voted as the best fire works display in the four state area.

Entertainment this year will be centered around talents of persons within our community.

"Festivals are traditional means for communities to celebrate the qualities that make them special. We have many things within our community that make us special and this will provide us the chance to show off what we have right here among us. Our community is filled with much talent, " noted Red, White and Boom chairman, Gloria Lawrence.

Other members of the steering committee include Jackie Boyer, Alan Bull, Steve Leibbrand, Mike McPherson, and Tom Short.

While they participate in activities that will be both enjoyable and memorable, those attending this year’s Red, White and Boom Celebration will share in the true meaning of this day.

The day will open with a salute to area Veterans. Along with a memorial flag ceremony, a breakfast is being planned to honor all area veterans.

The event is planned for all persons of all ages. Through out the day persons will have the opportunity to participate in several family-orientated games and activities.

Persons can enjoy a variety of great food and listen to great entertainment. Business and organizational booths will allow persons to sample the wares and works of area persons.

A 5-K run will be conducted during the morning hours as well as a golf tournament. The day will conclude with the largest fire works display in Southwest Missouri.

"Last year’s event was a huge success and because of its popularity few changes have been made. More games and entertainment have been added that will enhance the family atmosphere. Several additional food concessions and vendors of all kinds are anticipated."

There is no admission charge to enter the park. All entertainment and the fire works display is free to the public.

Persons who would like to provide entertainment for Red, White and Boom may contact Mrs. Lawrence at 417-358-9567 for an application. All types of entertainment will be considered; vocalists, bands, clowns, magicians, dancers, etc.

Individuals, businesses, and organizations who are interested in booth spaces may contact Victorian Carthage at 417-358-0636.


Income & Property Tax Help Available.

news release

In an effort to become more accessible to Missouri taxpayers, the Division of Taxation is providing Missouri income tax and property tax credit assistance in Carthage every Tuesday at the Over 60 Center, until April 1st.

Taxpayers will be seen on a "first come - first served basis;" appointments are not accepted.

If you have any questions about obtaining assistance, you may contact the Joplin Tax Assistance Center at 416-629-3473.

For Missouri income tax assistance you must bring along:

• Your completed federal income tax return.

• W2’s or any other document verifying Missouri withholding.

• Social Security number verification (Driver’s license, social security card, etc.)

To qualify for the Property Tax Credit, your total household income must be $25,000 or less if you are single; $27,000 if you are married and you must meet one of the following requirements:

• You or your spouse were 65 or older as of December 31, 2000, and were a resident for the entire 2000 year.

• You or your spouse are a service connected 100% disabled veteran.

• You or your spouse are 100% disabled.

• You were 60 years of age or older as of December 31, 2000, and receive surviving spouse social security benefits.

For Property Tax Credit assistance you must bring:

• Social Security number verification (Driver’s license, social security card, etc.)

• If 100% service connected disabled veteran you must bring a copy of the letter received from the Department of Veteran Affairs that states your qualification as a 100% service connected disabled veteran.


Just Jake Talkin'

Mornin',

I’d have ta say that last Saturday was one a the few Saturday’s when findin’ a parkin’ place on the Square appeared to be somewhat of a problem. Although it didn’t look to be completely full, folks were forced to walk a block or so to get to the Bluegrass festival goin’ on in the Woodshed at the back of Main Street Mercantile.

Looked like the place kept the 250 or so seats pretty full for most of the day from about noon on until late in the evenin’. ‘Bout a dozen area groups were featured and seemed to hold the attention of those in attendance.

The cool weather was ‘bout perfect but kept pickers from spillin’ outside for any period of time.

It was a good beginnin’ for what should become an annual event.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Sponsored

by

McCune- Brooks Hospital

Weekly Column


Health Notes.

Health & Nutrition by Judith Sheldon

MORE ON TOMATOES AND CANCER: Several weeks ago I noted the encouraging news from cancer researchers on the role tomatoes might play in helping to prevent prostate cancer. I’ve since received several letters asking for more information and I’m happy to oblige.

Tomatoes fit into a group of foods that contain carotenoids, which help enhance the immune system and fight free radicals which may cause various types of cancers, as well as premature aging.

There are various types of carotenoids. In tomatoes, the carotenoid lycopoene (which gives them their red color) was found to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by some 45 percent in men who ate at least 10 servings of tomato-based foods a week. Men who ate these foods less frequently (four to seven servings a week) had only a 20 percent risk reduction in developing prostate cancer.

As I cautioned last time, since saturated fats have been cited as risk factors for various cancers, including prostate, men should be careful about where they get their tomato-based foods. If you order pizza, for example, get it with little or no cheese. Also watch the pepperoni. You’d be better off with mushrooms. And try stuffing peppers with ground turkey instead of ground beef before you bake them in a tomato sauce.


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