Pay As They Play.

The Public Service Committee met for their regular meeting Monday evening in the Parks Administration Building. The committee discussed a possible monthly payment plan for annual golf fees. City Administrator Tom Short, Municipal Park Director Alan Bull, and Golf Course Manager Mark Peterson brought about an idea to make the annual fees payable monthly through bank drafts only.

"We’re trying to make annual memberships more accommodating to buy," said Bull.

Mark Peterson stated that he has been continually asked if the course had a payment plan.

The annual memberships are $1000 per person for golf and a cart, $725 golf only family rate, $475 golf only single rate and $375 golf only senior rate for ages 62 and older. Those rates are payable per year with the total fee paid upfront. Junior fees are excluded from the monthly plan.

Tom Short explained by giving the golfer an option to pay upfront or on a monthly bank draft plan allows more people to take advantage of the annual membership savings.

Short stated that by doing a monthly bank draft the fee would have 10% added to cover the cost the banks will charge for set up fees and service charges.

The committee agreed to forward the monthly installment plan to the City Council for approval. Short stated that it will need a council bill because of the 10% surcharge.

I see the economy is reported as makin’ gains over the last year. Last I remember they’re sayin’ a 3 or 4 percent gain. From the City sales tax revenue figures, it appears that Carthage is stayin’ pretty much in step for overall sales.

With overall City sales tax revenue of in the neighborhood of a million a year that translates to thirty grand in extra revenue. Not a huge amount of money considerin’ the annual City budget of around six million, but enough to buy almost two police cars or overlay a few blocks of street.

‘Course the alternative, losin’ three percent would be more alarmin’. Not replacin’ a worn out police car or lettin’ your street get full of potholes, would be a lot more noticeable. The value of makin’ a dollar or losin’ a dollar is more than two dollars.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

HERE’S A TIP

By JoAnn Derson

• "Coffee grounds can be used as fertilizer for houseplants. I just collect the used grounds in an empty coffee can (labeled, of course) and add them to new potting soil or sprinkle on top of the soil every month or so." — Lea in Winston-Salem, N.C.

• "I had a bad experience when I had to replace a video card on my computer recently. I had misplaced the CD for the operating system. Frequently, when you add new hardware to your computer, you are asked to insert the CD. Well, now that I have found it, I keep it (and every other important disk or CD) in a little box, which I keep right next to the computer at all times. That way, I will never lose it again." — Amy in Polson, Mont.

• "When you make something in a blender, an easy way to clean the blender is just to add some water and soap, turn on the blender and rinse, and you’re done!" — M.W. from Pennsylvania

• "If you want to ripen avocados fast, put them in a brown bag and add a slice of lemon." — Pat, Orchard Park, N.Y.

• "If you have trouble holding your cat still to clip his claws, sneak up on him while he’s asleep. You might only get a couple done before he catches on and wriggles away, but you’ll get there." — P.L. in Oklahoma City

(Slow and steady wins the race, P.L. Your great tip works for babies, too!)

• "My no-iron tip: I toss the wrinkly garment into the dryer for about five to 10 minutes with a damp washcloth, and it steams most wrinkles out. It won’t look starched and pressed, but it’s good enough for casual wear or running-late mornings. I haven’t ironed in three years." — Ealish in Orlando, Fla.