Date Set for Pension Plan Discussion.

The Finance/Personnel Committee met last Tuesday afternoon in City Hall and selected the date of August 31 for the first of the special meetings regarding the Police and Firemen’s Pension Plan. The proposed changes to the pension plan would require additional funding such as a quarter cent Fire Tax.

City Administrator Tom Short said there is much preparation to be done.

"The committee will look at the merits of the pension plan. It will contain more explanation and less numbers" said Short.

The Committee also accepted bids for the replacement of two air conditioner units at City Hall and the repair of the Hall elevator for compliance with new safety codes. Funding for these improvements comes from budgeted maintenance money for 2005.

The City Council also met on Tuesday evening. Mayor Kenneth Johnson announced during his report that this would be Public Works Director Craig Menees’ final meeting with City Council. Menees leaves August 6 for Salt Lake City where he has accepted an executive position at Sinclair Oil.

Letter to the Editor
Opinions expressed reflect those of the writer
and not necessarily those of the Mornin' Mail.

Thank you Carthage, for welcoming the GOBMC British Car and Cycle show back to Carthage this past weekend. The show this year was our fifth annual, and our fourth to be held along with the annual Sidewalk Sale on the Square.

Guests of the show started arriving in Carthage as early as Wednesday and some stayed an extra couple days to see more of our beautiful city.

This year we welcomed persons from eight different states. Including a couple who drove from Buckeye West Virginia in their Austin Healey. Another long distance traveling couple drove their 1950 Jaguar from Iowa. This was the fourth year the Iowa couple has driven to Carthage to be a part of the show.

The weather was rather threatening for hosting a car and cycle show; however we reached a total of ninety-six cars and cycles on the Square Saturday. It was great to see the Square filled with Sidewalk Sale participants, Farmer’s Market, and the British cars and cycles.

I would like to thank the following businesses for donating door prizes for the show: O’Reilly Auto Parts, SMB, Hunter’s Main Street Wireless, Nutmeg Lane, Three Eleven Cafe, Bank of America, Carthage Deli, Big R’s Surplus, The Eatery, Abby Title, Maple Leaf Marketplace, Up Town-Down Town, Front Page, Jasper County Title, Carthage True Value Hardware, Southern Uniform, Carthage Furniture, Parkside Laundry, and Dry Gulch on the Square.

I would also like to thank the City of Carthage for allowing us to host the Greater Ozarks British Motoring Clubs All British Car and Cycle Show on the Square of our great city.

David Thorn

President GOBMC

I see that the evenin’ paper is supportin’ panhandlin’ on roadways but only if the "cause" is government sanctioned.

The editorial the other evenin’ proposed that an ordinance be passed that stipulated when and by what technique various licenced organizations could solicit money on City streets. Of course a fee would be charged for the panhandlin’ permit and be administered by City personnel.

The first problem I’m confronted with is comin’ up with a list of who would be allowed. I’m thinkin’ it would be hard to justify turnin’ down any legitimate nonprofit organization. If that is the case, why all the hubbub?

I’m thinkin’ the best solution keepin’ folks askin’ for money out of traffic period. Which is what a recent ordinance does.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

By Ray & Tom Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

Soon I will be receiving as my first car — drum roll, please — a 1993 Buick Roadmaster Station Wagon! My parents have given me permission to decorate it in any way, as long as it does not destroy the "value" of the car. In other words, they don’t want me to do anything that can’t be removed when it’s time to sell the car. So, as my big design, I decided to cover the wood details with Astroturf, or another substance like it. My question: What can I use to keep the Astroturf on the car? It would need to be windproof, waterproof and removable. When it needs to be removed it cannot damage the "paint job." Thanks – Aaron

TOM: Well, your parents are very lucky, Aaron. My kid’s first move would have been to try and lay a Sealy Posturepedic in the back of the wagon. So Astroturf sounds wonderfully innocent to me.

RAY: Unfortunately, this is not an easy problem to solve. Big sheets of Astroturf are pretty heavy. You have to make good and sure they’re not going to fly off while you’re driving. If a guy driving behind you suddenly gets his windshield covered with an Astroturf doormat at 60 mph, he’s likely to have an accident. And then — rightfully — come after you with a baseball bat. And a lawyer.

TOM: Unfortunately, the adhesives that stick best are also the most difficult to remove. You can try a contact cement and a release agent, but they’re probably going to mar the car’s finish. So try it out first in a nice, inconspicuous spot.

RAY: Like on your neighbor’s car.

TOM: If that sounds too risky, you might look into magnetism. There are lots of magnetized decorations you can buy for your car, and those will come off in a snap.