Today's Feature

Year End Report.

Public Works Director Chad Wampler presented the Public Works Committee with the year end construction report at the meeting earlier this week. According to the report the total construction cost from January 2006 through December 2006 was approximately $89.6 million. The total amount of fees collected by the Public Works Department was $192,175.50.

Wampler said that the year’s totals had been higher than those of the previous five years, adding that several multi-phase projects from 2006 will be carried into 2007.

Assessor Mails Personal Property Forms.

News release.

Donald Davis, Jasper County Assessor, has mailed forms to property owners for listing their personal property, which is subject to assessment for the 2007 assessment year.

By March 1, 2007, every owner or holder of personal property must report, on the form provided by the assessor, all taxable personal property which was owned or held by the person or business on January 1, 2007.

"Every year a few property owners forget to return their lists," Davis said, "so we make every effort to remind people to return them on time."

Those not returning a completed list to the assessor by the March 1 deadline are subject to a penalty.

"Penalties range from $10 to $100 depending upon the value of the property and the statutes provide the assessor with almost no discretion to waive the penalties," Davis said. According to the assessor, until recently, few penalties were applied and lists were commonly filed late. The statutes were toughened in 1994, and compliance with the law increased dramatically.

The assessor advises that the best way to remember to return the list on time and avoid a penalty is to fill it out, sign it, and put it in the mail the same day you receive it. It is also helpful for the property owners to copy the completed and signed form and keep the copy with their records. If a question arises regarding filing, the copy will indicate that the form was completed.

Property owners or lessees who have not received a list are not excused from filing and should contact the assessor for a blank form at: The Jasper County Assessor’s Office, Carthage Courthouse, 302 S. Main St. Rm 207, Carthage, MO 64836. Telephone: 417-358-0437 or 417-625-4355.

Stench Report:

Thursday,
1/4/07

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

He would try to use the end of the five year period to stop and evaluate whether the plan was workin’ or not. He would then either scrap the plan and draw up another one, or adjust and continue with a new modified model. Fortunately, he continued to include his wife and kids in all of the five year periods that I was acquainted with him. For some things, five years just isn’t really enough time to get a true evaluation.

But mostly, sometimes lookin’ back a few years can be the best guide for lookin’ ahead the next five.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

I am concerned for the future and the quality of herbal products which are now bombarding the shelves of any retail outlet from lumber stores to gas stations. Why? We all know the answer and that is $$$. Believe me, this industry was nothing like it is now. When I started out over 20 years ago, we were oddballs. Persistent and stubborn with our message as the Missouri mule! Quality was an issue then as now, but as we struggled along we knew that it was only those who believed in the usage of herbs and food supplements who were willing to bite the financial bullet and continue along the path, educating as we went along. NOW, I am bombarded daily with companies who have the newest and the best with no history and lots of attitude.

The influx of inferior products and mass marketed products with some misinformation or lots of hype has diluted the integrity of the message.

Let me make it clear. I am in favor of people making a good living. I am in favor of quality herbal products and an informed public and ones right to choose, but I have never been as close to a situation where I see potential for a huge fall of a way of life. I compare it to the buy-out of small farmers by huge corporate farmers who have presented us with some major health challenges through the desire to produce bigger, better for less, and eliminate US from the picture except as consumers.

Maybe it is just my personality type, but I certainly like to know who I deal with and that we have common goals (if possible). I know that is what drives me to live in a small town with an environment of individual expressions. I am for personal involvement based on knowledge. I do know when making our choices we must stay awake, not letting mass media be the driving force in our decision making processes.

* This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. References available by request. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

artCentral
Art Notes from Hyde House
By Sally Armstrong, Director of artCentral

A new year has arrived, and a new season beacons from artCentral and the Hyde House Gallery. As the gallery is presently closed I have been a bit disconnected since the Christmas holiday, but have hit the ground running this week playing catch-up answering my phone messages and catching up on the mail. Holiday decorations must come down and the rooms cleaned for the new season beginning in February with a new show opening the 9th by John Fitzgibbon, painter from Webb City, who will also be conducting painting workshops for beginning and intermediate watercolor adult students.

On the immediate horizon is the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet on January 12th. This is the occasion of the annual area art award given each year to a deserving artist, and is chosen and presented by the former year’s winner. The award is handmade each year, and so very unique to each artist. Come out and see who this year’s worthy recipient will be and enjoy an evening of fun and good food with the Carthage Chamber of Commerce. artCental will be making 2 donations to the auction as well, which is always a fun time at this event.

In my last column of 2006 I thanked all those who had made 2006 such a success, both in large and small ways. I did not forget Billie and Terry McDonald, but wanted to pay a special tribute to them in an article of their own. Terry is the owner and manager of the local Sirloin Stockade and he and his wife Billie did a great renovation of their dining rooms last year creating a new gallery for art in the front atrium area of the building that we are calling the Atrium Gallery. They hung their own selections of local and area artist’s work in the rest of the spaces, but kindly have allowed us to use this Atrium Gallery as our own satellite gallery, to display work from our artists who display shows in the Member Gallery at Hyde House. Last year we were able to hang two shows in this space beginning in the summer, and this next year several new shows are planned, so again, our thanks to the McDonalds for this privilege as well as for being great patrons and members of artCentral as well.

Next week I will begin giving detailed information about the upcoming Fitzgibbon show and workshops. Happy New Year from artCentral!