Today's Feature

An Alternative Suggestion.

Carthage City Council agreed to look at the alternatives to a rezoning request at Tuesday’s meeting.

Council heard the first reading of an ordinance requesting a zoning change for property at 1926 and 1921 South Garrison as proposed by Vince Scott, owner. The zoning would change the buildings from Local Business and First Dwelling House zoning to General Business Zoning.

This item was rejected by the Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation Committee after several citizens spoke against it, but was appealed to Council. The proposed zoning would allow sales of alcohol by the drink.

City Administrator Tom Short said that instead of a blanket rezoning on the building at 1926 Garrison, there were other options to achieve the results wished for by the owner, simultaneously adding restrictions for the sake of the neighbors.

According to Short a Special Use Permit would be the best alternative in that it would allow for alcohol sales based on a percentage of food sales, it could restrict hours of operation and could call for review periods by Council at yearly intervals. Short also said that unlike a rezoning which is more permanent, the Special Use Permit would be in effect as long as the function of the building was the same, but would expire if the function changed.

Council approved a motion to draft an amendment to the City Code adding a paragraph for Special Use Permits, permitting alcohol sales based on a percentage of food sales. The item was approved in a 7 to 3 vote. The drafting of the special use permit will cause the item to be returned to the Planning and Zoning Committee for further review and will allow more time for citizen input.

Prior to the reading of the ordinance and the development of the proposed special use permit, several citizens spoke in opposition to the rezoning. Citizen Ed Browning spoke against the item saying that it was not known what type of business would be operated in the 1926 building. Browning said the neighbors were not in favor of the presence of a liquor store in the neighborhood and feared a reduction of property value. According to a showing of hands at meeting, there were over 12 citizens present who were opposed to the rezoning.

Vince Scott, who requested the rezoning, was also in attendance of the meeting and asked Council to consider the potential positive impacts of the rezoning. Scott said he wants to open a restaurant with the capability to sell wine in the 1926 building.

The Mornin’ Mail archives have shown a similar case reported in the September 23, 1998 edition of the Mail. The Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation commission on Sept. 21, 1998 heard a rezoning request for 1926 South Garrison which would have changed the zoning from Local Business zoning to General Business Zoning. At that time the proposed use of the property was for an outlet selling surplus/freight damaged construction materials through the Tapjac Company. Several neighboring property owners attended the meeting to oppose the rezoning. Citizens cited increased noise, increased traffic and hours of operation as primary concerns. At that time the item was not appealed to Council.

Just Like A Play, Only Real.

Tuesday’s Council meeting was led by students from Carthage City High School in conjunction with Student Government Day. The list of students that participated, and the City officials portrayed included; Chase Pitner, Mayor Kenneth Johnson; Madison McKnight, Fire Chief John Cooper; David Martin, Public Works Director Chad Wampler; Edmundo Fentanes, City Attorney David Mouton; Carrie Spry, Police Chief Dennis Veach; Blair Cummins, City Clerk Lynn Campbell; Matt Law, CW&EP General Manager Bob Williams; Mallory Goodman, Parks Director Alan Bull; Matt Smallwood, Chamber of Commerce Director Max McKnight.

Students and Council members portrayed included: Lauren Matthews, Claude Newport; Allee Shepherd, Larry Ross; Emily Snyder, Mike Harris; Jessica Baugh, Ron Wells; Stacey Chaney, Jackie Boyer; Kacie Cooper, Diane Sharits; Josiah Coen, Bill Johnson; Brynn Cummins, Bill Welch; Kate Kennedy, Tom Flanigan; Meghan Waggoner, Jim Woestman.

The students sat next to their respective Council members, responded to council members’ names, read staff reports and voted on ordinances.

Only a few times did the arrangement prove to be complicated in terms of Council members asking questions through the students. Some Council members chose to bypass the students and ask questions directly.

The students approved a motion to offer support for the Carthage R-9 bond proposition for the construction of a new high school building, approved an electric rate increase for Carthage Water & Electric Plant and observed the comments offered by citizens during the citizen participation period.

When asked for closing comments at the end of the meeting, several students offered statements of appreciation for the opportunity to experience the inner workings of City government. Student Josiah Coen described the joyful experience of meeting City officials, visiting the Police Station and Fire Department and serving as a member of City Council as "nifty."

Student Government Day is organized by the School and Fire Chief John Cooper.

Stench Report:
Wednesday,
3/15/06

No Stench Reported

Kid stuff.

"I know you’re shakin’ your head, ‘cause I can hear it rattlin’."

"He looks like a model A comin’ at ya with both doors open."

"Not the sharpest knife in the drawer."

"Big Deal"

"Better never than late."

"Block Head."

"Two can live as cheap as one, as long as one doesn’t eat."

My favorite quote from a current commercial. "If this was ten years ago, I wouldn’t be here today."

"Better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick."

"Time wounds all heels."

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin.’

Dear Tom and Ray:

Please help me settle this debate with my dear husband. Going to the gas station is a pleasant ritual for him, where he gets coffee, maybe a fat-saturated cholesterol-charged snack and talks with the employees and other blue-collar workers who frequent this hot social Mecca in our town. I think it is because he likes these stops so much that he often buys only $5 or $10 worth of gas, therefore necessitating frequent visits. I, on the other hand, hate to go to the gas station! Hence, I run my vehicle until the "gas is low" indicator comes on. I NEVER run out of gas - in fact, there are still at least 4 gallons in my 21 gallon tank when the light comes on. My husband, however, always tells me the tank should never be allowed to get so low because it will suck up the nasty stuff in the bottom of the tank. I say, since I always let it get near empty, that nasty stuff shouldn’t have a chance to accumulate! Am I doing my car a disservice? - Martha

TOM: I think it was the famous 16th century mechanic Vinnie Shakespeare who said, "To thine own self, be true."

RAY: It’s a little-known fact, but he was giving advice to a married couple who agreed on how often to feed their horses.

TOM: And I’d give you guys the same advice Martha. Do whatever makes you happy. From what you tell us, neither one of you is doing anything to harm anything. Most cars have at least one filter in the gas tank and another in the fuel line to prevent any sediment from clogging the fuel injectors.

RAY: And the hinges on the fuel-filler door are sturdy enough so that your husband won’t wear them out.

TOM: So, our advice is to fill up as frequently or infrequently as you like. No harm will be done to anything.

RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

Is ‘Team’ Racing Ruining NHRA?

Q: Greg, I’d like to correct you on an article you just ran. Cruz Pedregon won the NHRA Funny Car title in 1994, as you said. But it was Tony Pedregon, Cruz’s brother, who won the other (in 2004).

Secondly, I think John Force and his stranglehold on Funny Car has ruined the class. It has turned me into an "Anybody But Force" person, especially when his team cars laid down and either red lighted or "lost traction," etc., when they ran against him. I would like the NHRA to get a team car limit in place. -- John B.

A: Thanks, John. I did leave out the name "Tony" from the 2004 paragraph. Although drag-racing fans knew about brother Tony and his new "Q" Racing team, it did read like it was Cruz.

As for Force’s team ruining the class, there are surely those out there who agree with you. I do feel, like you do, that if a championship run is ever on the line, and a team racer is in the other lane with nothing to gain, you will indeed see a red-light or "mechanical problem."

As for team cars, Force is now second fiddle to Don Schumacher in this arena, as Schumacher is now fielding multi-car teams in Top Fuel (2), Funny Car (3) and Pro Stock (2) for a total of seven. Add his two Pro Stock motorcycle teams, and you are at nine!

As for a team cap, I’ll bet it is already being discussed at NHRA meetings, but it will be tough to enforce as drag racing has four pro categories. Most feel the more teams, the better.