Today's Feature

Reports and Participation.

The City Council Public Works Committee met Tuesday afternoon in a regular session. With two committee members absent, Tom Flanigan and Dan Rife, there was no quorum. The attending committee members Bill Johnson and Claude Newport had been informed that there would be a citizen participant for the meeting, and so the meeting was conducted with the understanding that no action would be taken on any business.

Citizen Richard Shipman asked the committee about extending the pavement on 15th street one block beyond the intersection of 15th and James streets. The street is platted, but was never extended beyond James street. Shipman asked if he could extend the street without curb and gutter. Other streets in the area are without curb and gutter as well, according to Public Works Director Chad Wampler. Shipman owns land that would face the street if it were extended. He told the committee that he would like to build a house on a lot he owns, and provide access via the street.

Bill Johnson recommended that Shipman submit his request in writing to the Public Works department. In this way the matter can be reviewed and brought to the Public Works committee as an item on the agenda. Johnson recommended including all related information available in the request.

In staff reports, Wampler showed the committee the month-end report for May. The total construction cost listed for May is over $3 million. A large portion of the total ($2.25 million) comes from 2 commercial additions, but Wampler pointed out that the department issued 6 permits for new single family dwelling and 4 permits for single family dwelling additions. The total fees collected by the department for May was $6,693.00.

Wampler also told the committee that June will likely be a big month for construction as well. Several more plans for commercial developments are currently at the Public Works Department awaiting review, according to Wampler

Stench Report:
Wednesday,
6/7/06

No Stench Detected On Carthage Square

My theory is still that most folks would choose to live in this part of the country, especially Carthage, if they just knew such a place existed.

‘Course the down side a that is if ever’one moved here, it just wouldn’t be the same. I can remember an in-law that lived in LA bein’ thrilled that she found a home only 90 minutes drive from work. No thanks.

I personally enjoy bein’ a couple hours away from the big city. Close enough to be convenient, but far enough away to avoid the day-to-day hassle.

Now if we could only get the State to build a SW Missouri ball field.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Click & Clack Talk Cars
By Tom and Ray Magliozzi

Car Likes Cold Air - But Why?

Dear Tom and Ray:

On cold days, the cold, crisp air getting to the 3.8-liter engine of my 2001 Buick Regal makes it run better. I can tell it has more power - like a horse on a cold morning, it’s raring to go. Believe me, this is not my imagination. Is there something I can do or add on to give cold air to the engine year-round? Also, please explain this phenomenon. Thanks - Harry

TOM: Well, you can move to Antarctica.

RAY: I think there’s a simpler solution, Harry. Rather than adding a cold-air-delivery device, you need to find out why your car is running poorly once it’s warmed up.

TOM: The first thing I’d be suspicious of is your air-flow sensor. The air-flow sensor measures the density of the air, which changes with the temperature. Once it knows the density of the air, the computer then adjusts the gas/air mixture accordingly. If the sensor is giving the computer bad information, the computer will set the mixture incorrectly, and your engine will run poorly.

RAY: Have your mechanic test the air flow sensor over a range of speeds, and see if the signals coming out of it match what the manufacturer says should be coming out. If not, you need an air-flow sensor, my friend.

TOM: Or a trailer hitch, so you can tow around one of those freezers outside convenience stores that sell 5-pound bags of ice.

RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

Darlington Blues

Q: Greg, it was great watching the Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway. I saw a standing-room-only crowd that seems to be telling NASCAR: "If you shut this track, I’m not going to support any more NASCAR races." Can they bring back the Southern 500 on Labor Day, where it belongs? -- D.P., Texas

A: I sure hope so. NASCAR’s closing of tracks like Rockingham and North Wilkesboro ruffled the feathers of many die-hard NASCAR fans. However, most grudgingly accepted the closings and tried to look at the "big picture," as NASCAR pointed out in its numerous "market impact" press releases. The track closings were done to "grow the sport."

However, rumors of Darlington’s demise soon followed, and fans were in an uproar when NASCAR eliminated one of its two yearly races. NASCAR "re-scheduled" the most historic race on the schedule, specifically the Labor Day Southern 500, and scheduled one race each year in May.

Thankfully, fans have turned out en masse, eliminating any continued rumors of closing. If NASCAR truly has the ability to see the big, historic picture and the nerve to admit it was wrong, now would be a great time to let all fans know that Darlington’s historic Southern 500 will return next year on the Labor Day weekend where it belongs.

That would make a lot of people happy, and the race teams, too.