The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Thursday, November 30, 2006 Volume XV, Number 117

did ya know?

Did Ya Know?... A Main Street Christmas, Annual Christmas Dinner Theatre will be held December 1 through December 3 at 7 p.m. in the Lighthouse, 801 S. Main, Carthage. Tickets are $12 per person and may be purchased at the First Christian Church office during normal office hours. 417-358-4044.

Did Ya Know?... The Friends of the Carthage Public Library will hold their monthly used booksale on Saturday, December 2, from 8:00 until noon at the Library Annex, 510 S. Garrison Avenue. Pick up some stocking stuffers and cold weather reads!

Did Ya Know?... McCune-Brooks Hospital and the Carthage Chamber of Commerce invite you to a Business After-Hours, Tuesday, December 5 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. RSVP by Friday, December 1 at 358-2373 or info@carthagechamber.com

today's laugh

To write a novel may be pure pleasure. To live a novel presents certain difficulties. As for reading a novel, I do my best to get out of it. - Karl Kraus

I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I’m going but I’m on my way. - Carl Sandburg

One Los Angeles television station offered an "Earthquake Survival Guide." I sent in a self-addressed stamped envelope, and they sent me a map to Kansas.

1906
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

Eagles Screamed in Spite of Cold.

In spite of a temperature below zero, the Carthage aerie of Eagles had a large attendance at their meeting last night. The inviting warmth and comfort of the lodge room afforded a welcome that could not be resisted altogether, and the pleasures of the occasion amply paid everyone for braving the cold. N.B. Larkin, of Stott City, took the full degree work. He was accompanied to the lodge room by many Stott City friends, who are members of the Carthage aerie, and they saw to it that he did not get cold during the ceremonies.

Mrs. Herbert Johnson and little daughter of South Lincoln street went to Kansas City this morning to join Mr. Johnson who has been in Kansas City for some time working at his trade of a horseshoer.

Eugene V. Debs, at the opera house tonight, will explain the evolution of the capitalist, a most interesting study.

 

Today's Feature

No One Rides for Free.

The Carthage City Council in Tuesday’s meeting rejected a request to waive back taxes on two lots slated for donation to Habitat for Humanity.

Finance/Personnel Committee Chair Diane Sharits reported on the Committee meeting of earlier that day bringing one item for Council consideration. Sharits said that citizen Danny Ross wished to donate two lots on North Maple to Habitat for Humanity and wished the City to waive City taxes, penalties and interest on the property prior to the donation. The properties were purchased by Ross at the Jasper County tax certificate sale after which they were discovered to have real City tax debt in the amount of $680.91 in addition to tax liens, interest, mowing and demolition costs in the amount of $13,963.70. Sharits said that the committee had approved the donation and waiving of fees and made a motion for Council approval.

Citizen representatives for Habitat for Humanity Tami Adams and Connie Shull spoke briefly to Council about Habitat for Humanity, saying that the organization requires donated lots, on which homes are built by the prospective homeowner, volunteers and trained supervisors. Financing for the projects is internally provided by Habitat for Humanity.

Council member Ronnie Wells noted that he had opposed the waiving of taxes in the committee meeting because he felt it would establish a trend. Wells said he felt that some percentage of the amount owed should be paid, regardless of the organization to which the property was being donated. He recommended that the item be sent back for the committee to decide a percentage of payment that would be beneficial for the City. Wells said that people who buy property in the County sale should understand that there may be costs incurred on the property, adding that he felt those people should be prepared to pay the costs.

Council member Cindy Curry said she felt the tax debt should be forgiven for the cause of creating housing in "distressed" areas of Carthage.

Council member Mike Harris said he agreed with Ronnie Wells that to forgive the debt would set a precedent for the City.

"I do have some qualms about it," said Harris.

Council member Tom Flanigan also agreed with Wells, saying he didn’t feel it was the City’s place to be underwriting individuals for the sake of a donation to a good cause.

"If you do it for one group, what about others?" Flanigan asked.

Council member Bill Johnson said he though that it would not be a loss to the City to waive the debt, because if the property had not been purchased and donated, the debts would still not be paid. Johnson said that it wouldn’t cost the City anything to waive the debt.

Diane Sharits spoke again saying that she was not comfortable with the amount of time the Finance committee was given to make the decision. Sharits said she was uneasy with the idea of a decision setting a precedent for the City in a 2 hour time-frame.

After further discussion, Sharits withdrew her motion to waive the fees.

Harris made a motion to allow the donation and waive only the penalties, leaving the $680.91 real tax fee. After a voice vote with Council members voting for and against, Mayor Jim Woestman stressed the importance of the issue by requesting a show of hands.

The motion to allow the donation contingent on the payment of the real City taxes was approved in a 6 to 2 vote. Those in favor included Diane Sharits, Bill Welch, Dan Rife, Tom Flanigan, Ronnie Wells and Mike Harris. Those opposed included Cindy Curry and Bill Johnson. Larry Ross and Claude Newport abstained from voting as both are related to Danny Ross.


Update on Excessive Emissions.

As reported in the Mornin’ Mail on Thursday, November 16, 2006 a Notice of Excessive Emission was filed against Renewable Environmental Solutions (RES) by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

According to a recent update from a DNR Representative, the notice was officially filed on November 15. From that date RES had 15 days to respond with information about the emissions, including whether the cause was related to a startup, shutdown or equipment malfunction.

The response was provided and received by DNR on Monday, November 27th. At that time, the Air Pollution Control Division of DNR began its review process.

According to DNR representatives if the written response from RES is sufficient, no further action will be taken by DNR. If the response does not meet qualifications, the notice will be upgraded to a violation.

Each violation cited to RES will result in a $25,000 fine, following the guidelines of a Missouri Attorney General lawsuit settlement from this summer. That settlement, according to Attorney General Press Secretary John Fougere, resulted in RES paying a $100,000 fine for repeat violation of State odor regulations and DNR permit regulations. The $100,000 figure was the largest ever received in a Missouri case of this nature. The funds were paid to the State for deposit in the Jasper County School Fund, and the ruling specifies that if subsequent violations occur, $25,000 be paid by RES until the amount of $75,000 is reached.

Also due in part to this settlement the City of Carthage and Missouri Attorney General’s office dropped its joint lawsuit against RES.

A press release dated August 28, 2006 from Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon to Carthage Mayor Jim Woestman states the following;

"Rest assured, though, that we will not hesitate to refile the nuisance lawsuit if the company fails to live up to its obligation of being a good neighbor to the people of Carthage."

Odor emissions have also been reported since the November 16th filing. On Wednesday, November 29th multiple complaints were received at the Mornin’ Mail office throughout business hours and from several different locations around Carthage.

Stench Report:

Wednesday,
11/29/06

Multiple complaints of stench received from around the Square, and in the afternoon extending to residences on Lincoln street, and South Grand Ave.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

I suppose kids have a better idea of what things cost these days. They’re out there shoppin’ and seein’ prices they just figure have always been that way.

My idea of an expensive pair of tennis shoes is around twenty-five bucks. That’s about what my folks paid for my Converse All Stars for high school basketball. Ya didn’t wear ‘em out on the street either, just for games and practice on the hardwood.

If I hadn’t been told by a reliable source, I woulda never believed a pair a sunglasses could cost over a hunderd bucks either.

‘Course when I was wearin’ my All Stars, a good concert ticket was around twelve-fifty, and I could drive fifty miles and back to attend for a couple a bucks worth a gas.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Sponsored
by:
Metcalf Auto Supply
Click & Clack Talk Cars
By Tom and Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

We are looking to purchase a used car for around $7,000. Are we doomed to choose the utterly styleless but ultra-reliable 2000 Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla? We have two boys, 4 and 6, and are concerned about safety. We loved the safety ratings of the 2000 Jetta and Passat but hated the horrendous maintenance reviews they received. Of course, we are also interested in a car that gets the best mileage possible, as we drive from South Florida to Boston at least once a year. Please help us! - Lenore and Rick

P.S. Rick waited on you guys at a restaurant a couple of years ago. How about a better tip this time? Thanks!

RAY: Oh, sorry, guys. My brother must have left the tip that night. He recently stopped carrying a wallet, and now just caries his cash in a pair of vice grips.

TOM: With all your needs and your price limit, guys, I’m afraid you DO have to choose between style and reliability. I mean, my wife got both when she married me, but that’s really unusual.

RAY: Actually, the Civic and Corolla are good choices, but since you list safety as a top concern, I’m going to suggest you go one step larger, and find a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry.

TOM: They’ll give you the same reliability as the smaller cars, but their increased size and weight will give you more protection in case of an accident.

RAY: Your mileage will be slightly reduced, compared with the Civic and Corolla. But if you buy a four-cylinder Accord or Camry (which is what we’d recommend), your mileage will still be quite good - a 1999 Accord is rated at 25 city and 31 highway. And a similar Camry is rated at 23/32.


RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

Remembering Ted Johnson, Outlaws founder

Q: I just want to say I was saddened to hear of the death of Ted Johnson, who founded the World Of Outlaws sprint car series. He did a lot for the sport and will be missed. -- Kathy M., Virginia

A: Kathy, I agree wholeheartedly. Prior to founding the Outlaws, Ted Johnson was a china salesman, involving himself in racing as a midget driver and also dabbling in the driver souvenir market. He died Friday, Oct. 20, after battling cancer. He was 72.

When Johnson decided to become a promoter, things really jelled. He took a bunch of drivers, including Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Doug Wolfgang and perhaps another 10 or so back in 1978 and set out an a mission to better the sport of sprint car racing. Johnson, who did not like USAC and its non-winged sprint shows, employed the Outlaw rule of "run what ya’ brung," complete with big top wings to help plant the cars in the turns and also allow space to promote sponsor logos. He went from one-day formats to two, employed the four-abreast pace lap, and never looked back. Today, the Outlaws appear more than 80 times a year all across the country.

I was fortunate to see Ted’s boys run in 1978 in Pennsylvania, and followed Johnson’s career closely. He was born in Beloit, Wis., and is survived by his wife, Stacy, son Rick, daughters Lori and Lesa, and three grandsons

I hope Ted Johnson will be remembered for what he was to this sport...a true visionary and promoter.

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