Home Town Fireworks Display.

The Special Services Committee voted yesterday to recommend that the Council approve a contract with Fireworks Spectacular in the amount of $9,795.25 for a fireworks display in Muni Park on July 4, 1998. The Committee discussion indicated that it would a "home town" event. The contract will produce approximately the same size show that the City sponsored last year.

The Committee’s recommendation continues a commitment made last year by the Council to sponsor a local display without regional promotion. The City co-sponsored a larger display at Precious Moments two years ago that was heavily promoted and drew large numbers of spectators. Several issues, including petitions signed by citizens urging the return of the annual event to Muni Park, led the Council to move back to what has come to be a traditional celebration.

Precious Moments announced last month that they would not have a fireworks display this year.

The Council had allowed for up to $15,000 for the display this year.

Commentary

by Martin "Bubs" Hohulin

State Representative, District 126

Some people have no shame. Using taxpayer money to repay political debts is bad enough, even though it happens all the time; using private money to repay political debts is reprehensible. Yet, that is exactly what Gov. Mel Carnahan is attempting to do in the last two weeks of session. Let's back up a little.

A teacher retirement bill was introduced this year to increase benefits for retired teachers. Even though it is money that belongs to the teachers, the General Assembly has to approve any changes in the distribution of funds. There is a board of trustees that oversees the fund. Four of the members are elected and three consist of the Commissioner of Education and two State Board of Education appointees. The board makes recommendations to the General Assembly as to how the money should be distributed and at what level and we have the authority to agree, disagree, or vote for any increase that is found to be financially sound.

The original legislation was found to contain a 1.1 billion dollar error so it obviously wasn't going anywhere. After a new study, different legislation was introduced to offer a benefit increase that would be financially sound. This proposal had wide, bipartisan support and would have passed with very few dissenting votes. Then Gov. Carnahan decided to tear himself away from his welfare expansion proposal long enough to get involved.

For his last several elections, one of his biggest backers has been the National Education Association (NEA). This is the teachers union that counts among its causes abortion rights, gay rights, and boycotting orange juice because they advertised Rush Limbaugh. Real education issues, right? For years I've said, and I'll say it again, the NEA is the single biggest detriment to public education in Missouri. Gov. Carnahan saw a popular bill that was going to pass by a wide margin as a way to reward the NEA. Between him and Speaker Steve Gaw, D-Moberly, they held the bill up and language was added to replace the appointed members of the Board with members appointed by the Gov. It was no secret these would be NEA approved appointees. The worst thing was this bill was to only deal with retirement benefits and now Gov. Carnahan is holding the teachers' OWN money hostage in order to reward his backers.

Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley, was going to offer an amendment to remove all the language relating to the changes to the board. We started getting calls from teachers asking us to support the amendment. Of course, I was completely in agreement with the amendment and was going to vote for it. Unfortunately, as happens so often up here, democrats are not allowed to actually vote their districts' wishes, but instead take their marching orders from the Gov. and Speaker. Marilyn was talked out of offering her original amendment and instead offered an amendment that did very little. Kenny Legan, R-Halfway had an amendment drawn up that was identical to Marilyn's original amendment and was prepared to offer it. Not surprisingly, Speaker Gaw refused to recognize him and precluded him from offering it on a procedural move. At this point, the Republicans went into action. There was no way we were going to let the Gov. and Speaker use the retirement system of some of Missouri's most valued and important citizens, our kids' teachers, to reward political backers. We decided to talk about the bill for a while. One of the most effective legislators in his process was Phil Wannenmacher, R-Springfield. Phil was a teacher for seven years before coming to the Legislature so he is very knowledgeable on this issue. He kept asking which legislator drafted the new language relating to the board changes. Everyone knew the answer, the language was not drafted by a legislator, but by a lobbyist, specifically the lobbyist for the NEA. Of course, no one would give him an answer. Finally his fifteen minute had expired and he still didn't have an answer. But he had made his point and went to something else, welfare expansion, but that is another story for another time. Anyway, we are going to continue to keep the bill confined to only dealing with retirement benefits and not Governor Carnahan's and Speaker Gaw's political paybacks.

AS usual, I can be reached at The House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or 1-800-878-7126 or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments , and advice.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Sometimes ya hear folks sayin’ that any fireworks display is a waste a money. That may be fact. But I figure that it takes about a dollar of tax money from ever’one in Carthage ta put on the show they got planned this year. Myself, I’ve wasted a dollar for a lot less.

I’ve always got my dollar’s worth outa the Fourth of July celebration. My dollar has prob’ly also paid for a neighbor or two outside City limits. That doesn’t bother me either, that’s just the kind a guy I am. I figure if a couple-three other folks geta watch, it only cost me a quarter or so. Now we’re talkin’ real bargains. Somethin’ ya don’t see much anymore.

If ya want ta see a real show, watch the kids watchin’ the show. That’s a lotta bang for a buck.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

SOFT DRINKS may be a contributor to dental woes, says the Academy of General Dentistry. They tell us that drinking carbonated soft drinks regularly can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel surfaces. Soft drinks contain sticky sugars that break down into acids and adhere easily to tooth surfaces. These acids can soften tooth substance and promote the formation of plaque which, in turn, erodes the enamel. When enamel breaks down, cavities can develop. If the erosion spreads beneath the enamel into the dentin, pain and sensitivity can develop. The person is also at higher risk for nerve infection which can result in root canal surgery.

Saliva helps neutralize the acids in our mouths and wash our teeth clean. Ironically, we tend to drink soda pop when the mouth is dry due to low levels of saliva. Even diet sodas can be a problem because while they don’t deposit the same type of sticky sugars, they do wash away the saliva. Women are most at risk because they drink diet sodas more frequently throughout the day than do men. The Academy recommends that you drink sodas only with a full meal. Also, be sure to brush or floss after drinking and/or eating. When you’re thirsty, drink water. If you do drink soda alone or between meals, chew sugarless gum afterward to increase your saliva flow.

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