Scramble For Insurance.

The City Council Finance/Personnel Committee voted yesterday afternoon to accept a bid from Moperm for vehicle liability insurance, unless a lower rate could be found by Friday, when the current policy will expire.

The unusual recommendation came as a result of the current insurance company, Savers, not renewing their annual contract. Committee members wanted to allow other agents the opportunity to come up with a bid. Moperm is an insurance pool operated specially for municipalities and government agencies.

City Administrator Tom Short told the Committee that the City had been notified in late February that the company would not renew. The City only learned last Thursday however, that no other company could be found to replace the policy. Short said that many insurance companies were reviewing municipal policies since the September 11 disaster and rates were expected to increase by up to 22%.

Last year’s premium for the City vehicle liability was just over $15,000 according to City Clerk Barbara Welch.

The effects of the events in New York on Sept. 11 may be trickling down to the midwest. Not in the emotional since, that happened long ago, but now it’s startin’ to get directly into the local taxpayer’s pocket.

Insurance companies spread the risk, or, as in the case of the City’s vehicle liability insurance, choose not to take the risk at all. Municipalities are apparently becomin’ a perceived target, or at least a more likely target for liability claims.

Accordin’ to the discussion at the meetin’ last night, the large insurance companies will write policies, but not for the small amount a City the size of Carthage needs.

The problem with the old adage "get bigger or get out" is communities don’t typically have that option.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

Young children are notorious for putting off bedtime. It’s the final ritual of the day: story, chit chat, prayers, hugs and a kiss. Then, as if on cue, with the click of the "off" switch of the lamp, the drama kicks in. "I need a glass of water; I can’t find my teddy bear; I have to go potty; I’m hungry; my blankets are too hot; my blankets are too cold; will you leave the light on, Mom, pleeeeze?"

Whether it’s anxiety about a new day at pre-school, monsters in the closet, robbers lurking by the window or any other fear, sometimes children need extra comfort to navigate the long night hours.

To help your child put closure on the day, enjoy making this bedtime glowworm together. Because the body of this whimsical bedtime buddy is a flashlight, your child can switch it on anytime to add a soft glow in the room.

With the open end down, stuff a paper lunch bag or a colorful cellophane gift bag with newspaper. Decorate the bag using odds and ends from your craft box or junk drawer. Make it like a glowworm, firefly or any fanciful creature you wish. Glue on buttons for eyes and pipe cleaners twisted in the shape of a smile or antennae. Cut out craft paper in wing shapes and glue to the side folds of the bag. Draw extra features with markers or crayons. Remove the newspaper.

Place a lightweight flashlight on your work table with the head of the flashlight up. As your child holds the flashlight, slip the bag over the top half of the flashlight. Be sure the on/off switch is exposed. Wrap a rubberband or ribbon around the bag to hold it in place. Turn the flashlight on to light-up the glowworm.