Today's Feature

Asphalt Paving Bids.

The Public Works Committee will meet this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall to discuss bids for asphalt paving. Street Commissioner Tom Shelley opened bids yesterday afternoon for 3,200 tons of asphalt. After the bids are reviewed the Committee will discuss a course of action.

Shelley says the Street Department generally selects 6 projects each year that are in the greatest need of improvement. The projects can vary in size ranging from one block to ten blocks. After the projects are selected the asphalt required for completion is calculated by the ton. After the committee hears the bids they may decide to either go ahead with the projects or down-size the number of streets to be paved.

At the previous Public Works Committee meeting a proposed sign permit was discussed with representatives from commercial sign developers. Public Works Director Chad Wampler and the Committee sought local opinions on the restrictions and guidelines of the proposal. The sign permit is not on the agenda for this meeting but citizen input for the permit is still being accepted.

I suppose that all folks could live without all the concrete and pavement in their lives, but there is somethin’ bout livin’ on a street that its a decent road that appeals to most of us once we get used to it.

I used ta be amazed at the brick streets of the neighborin’ communities. Course a lot of ‘em got paved over after time, but many of those brick roadways still serve the citizens well even after several decades of use.

They used ta know how ta build a real street. Seems like now a days we don’t want to invest in anything that’s gonna last for fifty or sixty years. I suppose this has somethin’ ta do with the fact that a brick road would prob’ly cost eight or ten times what asphalt does.

Also the concern over noise pollution might come into play in the decision. Drivin’ on a brick road has its own peculiar sound. Might disturb the neighbors on a cruise night.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’

The Pain That Lingers After Shingles Attack

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband has had shingles for almost one year. Not only is he going out of his mind, but I think I am, too, because I cannot find anything to help him. Whatever help you can offer would be deeply appreciated. — S.K.

ANSWER: The varicella-zoster virus causes two distinct illnesses. One is chickenpox, which usually happens in childhood. The other is shingles, which usually happens later in life. This virus becomes a permanent guest in the body after chickenpox, one that refuses to leave — ever. As years go by, it wakens, travels down nerve roots to the skin and causes the typical skin rash and pain of shingles.

When the shingles rash first appears, prompt treatment with Famvir, Valtrex or Zovirax can shorten the course of shingles and might, for some, lessen the chances for getting post-herpetic neuralgia.

Your husband’s condition is one that calls for pain eradication. Amitriptyline, an antidepressant medicine, in low doses can sometimes bring pain relief. Gabapentin, a seizure medicine, is another drug used to control this kind of pain. Lidocaine skin patches have helped many. If pain relief is not forthcoming, then a step up to the more powerful opioids can often ease discomfort. Morphine and OxyContin are examples.

At this point, if success still has not been obtained, then visiting a pain clinic could be the answer.