Summer Nets 10% Increase in Sales.


Despite recent reports of pockets of pessimism about the Carthage economy, City sales tax receipts for four months of this summer showed a ten percent increase over the same period a year ago.

The general one percent City sales tax generated an all time high of $572,874 for the four month’s receipts from July through October. During the same period a year ago, City sales tax receipts were only $518,697. That was the lowest amount generated during the same period since 1996. Receipts generally lag a month or two behind actual sales due to retailers submitting tax receipts at varying intervals.

Annual City receipts for the one percent general sales tax have remained flat at approximately $1,585,000 since the 1998/99 fiscal year. Even with the slow start last year mentioned above, the receipts increased to $1,588,000 by the end of the fiscal year in June of 2002.

In addition to the general one percent sales tax, the City collects a one-half percent transportation tax that is dedicated to street improvement and a one-half cent tax for past utility infrastructure improvements.

‘Course sales tax is a major component of the City budget. The one percent general and half percent transportation sales tax contribute near on to two-and-a-half million of the near seven million annual operatin’ budget. Add in the million transferred to the City from CW&EP and ya start to understand the City is pretty well tied to folks buyin’ things in the city.

What’s hard ta tell is exactly what folks are buyin’. Part of the increase over the summer may be due to an increase in automobile sales in town. One car would offset a lot of ten dollar sales missed in a gift shop. Ya figure on a $30,000 car, all but a couple thousand pays the manufacturer. Then consider $30,000 in sales might be a decent year for a small shop where a good chunk of the money stays in town. This economy thing is tricky.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Weather the Worst of Winter

Q: We moved into an older house this summer that we’re in the process of restoring. Many of the windows have cracked or broken glass and are in warped frames that let drafts in. Is there a cost-effective way to replace these before winter comes? — Denise S., Hartford, Conn.

A: Since you’re trying to increase the home’s value, replacing the older windows with cheap alternatives will cost more money in the long run. This winter, keep the drafty windows in place, but consider a couple of options to make the house more heat-efficient.

Your first option is to replace the broken panes of glass, then add weatherstripping and silicone sealant to stop drafts.

A second option is to cover the windows, inside and out, through the winter and until you can afford to have them completely replaced. Heavy-duty, clear plastic is one material used to seal broken windows. An acquaintance of mine actually put up a wall in front of one row of windows that she couldn’t afford to replace immediately in her old house.

Let’s cover the first option in detail, though. Small glass panes can be replaced rather easily, and weatherstripping is a snap to install.

If the windows are double-hung, remove the upper and lower windows and lay them on a flat work surface. Now, collect your tools: a heat gun, a putty knife and caulking gun, a sanding block and a paintbrush. You’ll also need glazing, glazier’s points, and wood sealer for the finishing job.

Aim the heat gun at the edges of the broken windowpane — being careful not to scorch the wood — and soften the old glazing. Scrape it away with the putty knife and then remove the broken glass and glazier’s points. Sand the wood frame to remove old paint and putty, then coat the bare wood with sealer and let dry.

Run a thin layer of glazing inside the recess of the frame and then press the new glass into place. Put glazier’s points into the frame every 10 inches (use the putty knife to press them in). Seal in the pane with glazing compound, wiping away excess with your finger or a damp cloth. Once the compound is dry, repaint the frame, overlapping the glass by one-sixteenth of an inch to provide an additional seal.