Mayoral Campaign Underway.

Mayoral candidate Lujene Clark held what appears to be the first fund-raiser of the Carthage political season on Monday evening in Memorial Hall. Approximately 125 supporters attended the $10 a plate chicken chilli/ham and beans dinner to raise money for the upcoming mayoral race. The filing date for the City’s April election is not until mid December, but Clark and current Mayor Kenneth Johnson have both formally announce their candidacies.

After Clark personally filled soup bowls for her guests, Honorary campaign chair Herbert Casteel told the group that his support for Clark was based on her "unquestionable integrity" and her willingness to stand up for what she believes in.

Election committee member Tom Simpson spoke to the briefly group before introducing the "next Mayor of Carthage, Lujene Clark."

Clark spoke for about ten minutes outlining her reasons for running.

"We’re about honesty, openness and unity," said Clark. "We’re about taking it back to the way it should have been all along."

Clark is a former Council member.

Since it’s the traditional policy of this paper to encourage participation in the political process and not endorse candidates, it’s gonna be a fun season for us.

Mayor Johnson had opposition for his last election, but neither candidate was in office for the run.

From what we’re seein’, this year will be a more enthusiastic campaign than we saw last time. Anyone who has watched Clark in the political arena knows she will be an energetic campaigner.

Mayor Johnson has a respected list of supporters also no doubt, so the tactics of the campaign should be interestin’.

Like the big boys say, we’ll try to keep ya up to date on the latest developments as they occur.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

Television can be a powerful influence in our homes. I know it is in mine. Now more than ever, I’ve had to become a "TV program director" in selecting what our kids watch.

If channel surfing is part of your family’s lifestyle too, here are some ideas to help separate valuable programs from visual junk food.

Children’s programming on PBS is a good place to start. "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood," "Reading Rainbow," and "The Magic School Bus" are all award winners that help children along the path of growing and learning.

For older children, you can help guide their choices and turn everyone into TV critics with this valuable activity. Watch your favorite shows together and search for the following criteria, and rate each topic on a scale of one to five:

REALITY - Do people really act the way the characters on the show do?

STORY - Is there a strong story line that keeps your attention?

THEME - Does it deal with an issue relevant to kids such as fitting in, trusting one another, or saying "No" to drugs and alcohol?

ENTERTAINMENT - Is it fun to watch ... did you feel like changing the channel?

EDUCATIONAL VALUE - Ask, "What have I learned from the show?"

When you are done, compare notes and use your critic’s "scorecard" as a springboard for discussion. Then, see how your ratings compare with those of your kids.

When you watch TV with a critical eye, you become a participant instead of a passive viewer. Knowing what your kids watch and learn from TV may give you as a parent, insight into what’s important to and for them.