Mouton Appointed City Attorney.

Parks May Become City Department.

Christmas Lights Flicker.

The City Council approved Mayor Kenneth Johnson's recommendation to appoint David Mouton as City Attorney during last Tuesday's regular meeting at City Hall. Mouton was the first of four to eventually show interest in the position. Mouton will fill the vacancy left by long time City Attorney David Dally who was elected in November as Judge of the Circuit Court. The appointment will take affect January 1, 1999.

During the Mayor's report, Johnson also officially announced the plans to bring the Parks and Recreation Department under the direct supervision of the City Council. (see letter below). The change would eventually eliminate the current Parks Board. Park Board President Tom Poston said yesterday that he had spoken to the Mayor about the restructuring and saw no major obstacles preventing the change.

In other business the Council voted to authorize paying overtime so the Christmas lights would go on Friday after Thanksgiving. According to City Administrator Tom Short, minutes show that the Council voted earlier in the year to wait until after Thanksgiving to have the lights turned on. The switch mechanism is located high in the County Courthouse and apparently requires knowledgeable personnel to activate.

The lights on Jasper County Courthouse property will be turned on this Friday, the 13th in a lighting ceremony. No plans have been announced as of yet for any type of ceremony for the City lighting on November 27.

To: Mayor & Council

From: Tom Short, City Administrator

As you are aware, we have been working for some time to bring the Parks Department under the umbrella of the City. We are trying to accomplish this before the beginning of the next calendar year when our City Attorney becomes Circuit Judge. We do not want to have to go back to square one with a new City Attorney.

This action would treat the Parks Department as another operating department of the City similar to Streets or Engineering. We would still collect the property tax levy for Parks that is now in effect. However, they would report to the City and follow the City's rules, regulations and policies. The Parks Administrator would be appointed by the City as any other City Officer. In this case, he would be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of a majority of the members elected to the Council.

At the next Parks Board meeting, (November 11, 1998) we will discuss this plan with their Board. The Mayor has visited individually with most of the Parks Board members. There does not appear to be any major opposition to the plan. The however, have been some concerns expressed by one Board member which will need to be addressed by us. If requested, a joint meeting with the City Council and the Parks Board will be conducted.

We wanted to remind the Council of these plans so it does no come as a surprise at a future meeting. We anticipate having a first reading on the ordinance placing the Parks Department under the City some time in late November or early December.

It is anticipated that the Parks Department will eventually report to the Special Services Committee. Meanwhile, there may have to be some type of transitory, advisory board established to handle the Parks Department operations. This is still to be worked out.

If this is a major concern for any of the Council, please let the Mayor or me know.

Tom Short, City Administrator

Mortgage Burning and Homecoming.

news release The Grand Avenue Church of God

On Sunday, Nov. 22, over three and one-half years ahead of schedule, the congregation of the Grand Avenue Church of God (general offices, Anderson, Indiana) will celebrate the final payment on their worship center addition.

Pastor Mike Withers and the folks of this Christian community invite everyone who has ever called Grand Avenue home or those who have only attended occasionally to enjoy that day with them.

Begun in 1987, the semi-circular structure is the center of group life for this body of believers. Through the generosity of her people, the church committed itself in 1996 to paying off the debt in 12 years instead of 15 and have now hit that target seven months ahead of schedule, saving between $4 and $5,000.

Former Pastor Jim Duncan, now area administrator for Missouri Ministries of the Church of God, is making plans to be a part of the ceremony in spite of undergoing quadruple by-pass surgery in October.

The morning services will follow their basic format: Sunday School 10 a.m. and worship service 11 a.m.

At noon, congregation and visitors will enjoy a catered meal and a relaxed time to visit with one another and old friends.

As the 2 o'clock hour approaches, they will move from their old sanctuary to the new just as they did 11 years ago to begin the celebration witha look back, a look forward, and the lighting of papers representing a new day.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

If you're like most, you seem ta be a little confused about the annual tradition of gettin' around to turnin' on the Christmas lights here in town.

There seems ta be about four general different camps when it comes to lightin' up for Christmas here in Carthage. The tourist industry camp wants lights on as early as possible to attract folks travelin' to Branson and there abouts to see the light displays there. The traditional camp wants the lightin' delayed until after Thanksgiving. The moderates compromise with lights goin' on about two weeks before Turkey Day, and the erratic turn 'em on about anytime they feel like it. I'm prob'ly missin' a camp there somewhere. You personally have every opportunity to observe and support any or all.

It is the year of the independent light thinkers.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click and Clack Talk Cars.

Dear Tom and Ray: We own a 1988 Toyota Camry four-cylinder with a stick shift and 140,000 miles. Whenever we attempt to pass another vehicle, particularly on a hill or a curve, we lose power and have to relinquish our position and glide sheepishly over to the shoulder-while noting an extended single digit through the rear window of the unpassed car as it speeds ahead. This is not only humiliating but also dangerous.

We had our car "diagnosed" at the Toyota dealer and were told we needed a valve job. We then took the car to our local mechanic who checked the compression, said it was OK, and because of that, said he didn't think the valves were the problem. He thinks it might be a plugged exhaust or catalytic converter. So we took the car to an exhaust specialist, who said it wasn't the exhaust or the converter. Now where do we stand? -Robert

RAY: Where do you stand? In front of the service manager at the Toyota dealership with your credit card outstretched.

TOM: Your exhaust guy has ruled out a plugged exhaust system. And while it could be a bad fuel filter or fuel pump (and those are worth checking), I suspect that the Toyota dealer will be proven right.

RAY: Camrys are known for having carbon dioxide deposits build up on their valve stems when they get old. After the car has been running for a while, typically on the highway or on hills, the carbon deposits heat up and expand. And when they expand, they prevent the valves from closing all the way.

TOM: And when the valves don't close, you get lousy compression and no power. Since this only happens when the engine is hot, it's not surprising that your mechanic was confused by the dealer's theory.

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