BESTEA Passes U.S. House.

The "Building Efficient Surface Transportation and Equity Act" (BESTEA) was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives last Wednesday by a vote of 337-80. A million dollars is included in the bill that would assist in the construction of a new Highway 71 interchange near the Carthage Industrial Park on Fairview.

The bill now moves to a House/Senate conference to resolve differences in highway legislation that passed both chambers.

Congressman Roy Blunt, who is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee says this is vital legislation to Southwest Missouri.

"Missouri is one of the biggest winners if the bill becomes law," says Blunt. "Our state was 14th in the percentage of increase and 13th in real dollars."

According to Blunt passage of BESTEA will return 95% of the gasoline tax money sent to Washington for highway needs back to Missouri, instead of the 85% return that Missouri received during the last six years. The measure includes a new formula that provides $200 million in new transportation funding to Missouri.

Candidates

Results of Questionnaires sent by Carthage Chamber of Commerce. Note: Candidates are listed in order according to the official ballot.

Name: Larry Ross

Address: 1410 Grand Ave.

Phone: 358-5116

Office Sought: City Council, First Ward

Background: Born in Carthage, Larry graduated Carthage High School in 1956, and purchased Carthage Foundry and Machine Company in 1969. He changed the name of his business to Ross Elevator Supply in 1989, and is self-employed as a designer of feed mills and grain elevators.

Why Run/Qualifications: Larry has a strong interest in how our city government is operated. He feels that his ability is to listen to the people of Carthage and use his gifts of reason and common sense to make progress in representing the First Ward.

Goals: He would like to see the airport property developed in a way that downtown Carthage is not decimated. He believes selling the property at real value to generate enough money to build another general aviation airport.

Name: Nolan Henry

Address: 1106 Grand, Carthage

Phone: 358-0683

Office Sought: City Council, First Ward

Background: Nolan, a retiree of Prudential Insurance Company, and his wife Nancy, who retired from T.W.A., purchased the historical Leggett House in 1988. The couple moved to Carthage out of admiration for its historical significance. In the Fall of 1989, they opened the Leggett House as a bed and breakfast. They have five grown children, and eight grandchildren. Nolan and Nancy are members of First Christian Church. Nolan is a member of the Masons, Scottish Rite, Shriners, and Carthage Knights of Pythias. His educational background in is engineering with a B.S.C.E.. He worked in that profession for several years.

Why Run/Qualifications: Nolan counts it an honor to have served as a First Ward council man for the past six years. He has not missed a single council meeting or special meeting, and has only missed a few committee meetings. During this period, the city has accomplished more to upgrade infrastructure and ability of the city more than any other time. The expansion of the city by annexation, the waste treatment plant, water and electric infrastructure, the levees needing upgrading, modern fire and police infrastructure, and streets and parks systems. There is more to be done, but Nolan is proud to be part of it. He is a supporter of civic organizations such as the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, Victorian Carthage, Stone’s Throw Theatre, and tourism. He has served on various boards and committees of all of these groups.

Goals: Nolan has been a long-time supporter of the proposed retail project in the south part of Carthage as a source of new business, jobs, and sales tax revenues and as a way to avoid further taxes on the residents of Carthage. Continued commercial development will mean more demand for better housing development. Altogether, Nolan believes that this will make Carthage a more viable city entering into the 21st century, and our future. He is not a part nor does he support any special interest groups, nor is he a "one-issue" candidate. To insure quality service to the citizens, he asks himself "Is it good for Carthage," before voting on any one issue.

Name: William Fortune

Address: 729 W. Central Ave., Carthage

Phone: 358-3036

Office Sought: City Council, Second Ward

Background: Bill retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1993, and moved to Carthage in 1994. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, and a masters degree in Management. His wife Diana works at McCune-Brooks Hospital, and helps raise their two children that attend Columbian School.

Why Run/Qualifications: He feels his time, interest, and problem solving abilities make him a good councilman. Throughout his career he worked with people and problems and has a common sense approach to decision making that is based on facts rather than emotions.

Goals: Bill cites three goals-the development of Myers Park, a city wide sidewalk repair policy, and a new airport under the plans supported by the voters and current council resolutions.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

With the decent weather, the local political hopefuls have been reported to be out makin’ the rounds. Walkin’ the wards and meetin’ those who may make there way to the votin’ booths next Tuesday.

I haven’t taken the traditional count of signs posted on the main thoroughfares, but it appears there is a good representation of several of the candidates. This weekend should see an increase in the neighborhood activity.

If we see a normal turnout for the spring election, a couple a hundred votes will be sufficient for the various Council seats, around a thousand may be cast for each of the Mayor candidates.

The most closely watched runnin’ seems ta be the Mayor race, Johnson and Overton; First Ward, Henry and Ross; Fourth Ward, Dilcher, Burgi-Brewer, and Poulson; and the Fifth Ward, Clark and Stearnes. Baird is on the Fifth Ward ballot and McCoy on the Third Ward but I haven’t seen much campaignin’ there. Fortune and Whitledge are unopposed.

This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

Hepatitis, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, is now the most common of all serious contagious diseases. It is spread through blood-to-blood contact in many ways one would not normally think of as being risky. The obvious, sharing needles, but sharing personal items such as manicure tools, razors, or toothbrushes. Just think about tattooing and body piercing, including have ones ears pierced. It has been suggested that it may soon take more lives than AIDS.

The liver is the organ which is most effected by hepatitis. The famous Naomi Judd used herbs for treating her disease. She spoke at a health food industry show and sang the praises of milk thistle. The active ingredient in milk thistle, sylimarin, has been used to treat conditions of the liver. It has been used extensively in England in the successful treatment of liver disorders including mushroom poisoning.

Dr. Weil has these suggestions for those who may have contracted hepatitis virus:

a. Very low protein, low fat diet. Avoid taking amino acid supplements.

b. Take a potent antioxidant formula and include selenium.

c. Avoid drugs and alcohol and tobacco. Check carefully with the pharmacist went taking prescriptions.

d. Drink plenty of water and take steam baths or saunas to sweat so you can release toxins.

e. Get plenty of rest.

f. Avoid exposure to chemical fumes and vapors.

e. Get plenty of rest.

More herbs for liver protection next week.

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