Today's Feature

Proposal Would Allow Fireworks.

The Public Safety Committee met Monday evening in a regular session. Items on the agenda included the continued discussion of a proposed revision to City codes concerning the use of fireworks within the City limits. Committee chair Mike Harris originally suggested the idea that fireworks should be allowed on New Year’s Eve and the week of the Fourth of July. Upon presenting the idea Harris said that he felt people should be encouraged to celebrate Independence Day, and that as many already use fireworks, the revision would alleviate some of the efforts of the Police. Police Chief Dennis Veach agreed that enforcement of the fireworks ordinance is difficult without catching violators in the act of shooting the fireworks.

At Monday’s meeting a draft ordinance was distributed, reviewed and amended, and a motion was approved to recommend the ordinance to full Council as a Council bill.

The current City ordinance about fireworks reads; "No person, shall shoot, set off, explode or discharge any blank cartridge, torpedo, cane torpedo, firecracker, or any substance containing chlorate of potash and sulphur, or device for exploding or discharging such substances, or any other fireworks. Provided, however, that fireworks displays, to be conducted by persons who make a profession of holding fireworks displays, may be held after having first obtained written permission from the Fire Chief..."

The addition to this ordinance would, if approved, allow "Exceptions" to the restrictions currently provided, making the discharge of fireworks acceptable on December 31st, from 5 p.m. to January 1st at 1 a.m.; June 30th to July 3rd from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. each evening; July 4th from 9 a.m. to July 5th at 1 a.m.; and July 5th from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. The proposed revisions still restrict the discharge of fireworks at Municipal Park, and allow the Fire Chief to suspend the exceptions in case of drought or high fire risk. .

The amendments the committee made and approved at Monday’s meeting included the addition of the starting time (9 a.m.) for the exceptions and the addition of July 5th as an extra day.

The committee agreed to forward the amended ordinance to Council for its first reading next Tuesday.

It’s always fun to see people get excited about the history and attractions here in town and the surroundin’ area. They soon figured out that takin’ in Carthage is at least a two day event. They liked the place, spent the night and will likely be back for more visits.

I suppose for those of us who live in the community it’s easy to take for granted all of the sights we encounter ever’day. It takes an outsider to rekindle the excitement that comes with the discovery of our community.

This week there will likely be lots a folks comin’ in for the Maple Leaf Festival that aren’t from around these parts. Most likely they’ll wanna come back too.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip
By JoAnn Derson

• Attach a flashlight to the fuse box for easy visibility in a power outage. Use a strong magnet if your box is metal; if not, you can use a section of hook-and-loop tape attached to both the box and the flashlight.

• "Dry rice can be added to both the salt shaker and the pepper shaker in order to allow the salt or pepper to flow more freely. Even if yours is opaque, you can tell it is time to add more salt or pepper when the shaker starts to rattle." -- Y.L. in Pennsylvania

• Eight to 10 regular marshmallows equal 1 cup of mini marshmallows.

• "Pills just seem to be getting bigger and bigger these days, especially vitamins and such. If you have trouble taking pills and get one stuck in your throat, try taking a big bite of a banana. It’s very soft and seems to cushion the pill on the way down, and its bulk sort of sweeps the pill to the stomach. It works for me every time!" -- O.I. in Ontario, Canada

• Save old toothbrushes for cleaning, and mark them with masking tape so you can tell the difference.

• "If you have a broken cassette tape, you can use the tape to tie off plants in the garden. It’s easy to use, and it’s already wound up, so the tape itself can be slipped into a pocket of an apron and takes up little space." -- U.L. in Texas