Budget In First Reading Tomorrow.

The City Council will see the first reading of the proposed FY 98/99 budget during tomorrow evening’s regular meeting. The document shows total appropriations of just under $7 million.

The budget includes just over $1.5 million in capital improvements that represents a major portion of the $1.8 million drawn from general fund reserves. Some Council members attending the Budget Hearings over the last two months have expressed concern with the heavy reliance on reserves this year.

By ordinance, a restricted reserve equal to one third of the City’s operating budget is set aside. This year that equals $1.76 million. The City ended the current fiscal year with a total just over $3.5 million in reserves. If the proposed budget is approved the total reserve level will be left at $2.17 million.

Council member Mike Harris has seen heavy support of his notion that the City should either spend reserves on community services or reduce the tax burden. He has stated that the City should not just "bank" reserves and just draw the interest.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

If ya hadn’t noticed, apparently the cool weather has spurred the growth of several of those little yard ornaments that pop up just for the political season. ’Course in reality, it became legal to start placin’ political signs in Carthage last Friday. The local ordinance gives political hopefuls 60 days to get their message across via yard signs. The primary election will be held August 5. From all indications, there will be some jousting’ for space with the fairly large number of candidates this year. Don’t be surprised ta have some visitors knockin’ on your door in the next couple a months.

I’m hearin’ that some candidates have been a little surprised at the hospitality, interest and questions raised durin’ front porch conversations. Remember, the longer ya talk to ‘em, the less time they have ta get to the rest of the voters.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Farm & Home Supply, Inc.

The Super Handyman

by Al Carrell and Kelly Carrell

A SUPER HINT - Old wire racks left over from your kitchen cabinets, dishwasher, etc., are super for organizing your shop. They are ideal for storing circular saw blades so that they stand up and are easy to select.

Dear Al: I get a lot of packing from mail-order items. Some of it I save to reuse, but the rest I recycle by taking it to a local antiques dealer, who uses a lot of the material and is always thrilled to see me coming with a new supply of it. In appreciation, I think he often gives me a little bit of a discount on merchandise I buy from him. If everybody did this, then there would be enough to go around for a long time...and none in the landfills. - H.N.

Q. My husband and I have wine bottle collection and are ready to cut them all in half for a special project of ours. How do we do it without breaking the bottles or cutting ourselves to ribbons? - S.A.

A: Although it has been a while since we've looked, there used to be bottle cutters that were available through craft and hobby stores. They work quite well and are made just for the purpose you have in mind.

A SUPER HINT - Woodworking often results in splinters. One way to remove the little devils is to cover the spot with a drop of white glue. When it dries, peel away the glue, and usually the splinter comes out too!

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