Holt Picks Up Personal Belongings.

Collector's Office Closed.

Ousted County Collector Steve Holt returned briefly to his old office in the Carthage Jasper County Courthouse yesterday morning to pick up his personal effects. County Clerk Margie Bull has been placed in charge of the Collector's office until someone is appointed to finish out Holt's unexpired term. No money can be accepted and it is unclear if any other functions of the office can be pursued before a replacement is appointed. The County Counselor's Office says the State statutes concerning the ouster offer little guidance for the County.

Holt was ousted last Friday after Judge Baldridge ruled that Holt received more than the $3,000 per year allowed by the State for outside contracted work. Holt claims not to have known about the limitation and had earlier repaid approximately $130,000, that was claimed by the County.

According to Bull, Holt, the bonding company, and she will appoint a representative and that committee will go over the books verify what taxes have not yet been paid. After the governor has appointed a replacement, a State audit will take place within 20 days.

Presiding Commissioner Danny Hensley says the County will do all it can to minimize any disruption in normal business for taxpayers. He said he hopes the Collectors office can be back in operation soon. He says that County officials are working closely with the State to confirm what can be done until an appointment is made.

Holt is unopposed on the November ballot and it appears that the ouster only applies to the term in office. If reelected Holt would resume his duties in March if he could secure the $700,000 bond required to hold the office.

Because of the need to replace the Collector in short time, the process of having County political committees submit nominations will most likely be bypassed. Both the Democrat and Republican Committees recently submitted nominations to the governor for a County Commissioner replacement. That process took nearly a month in itself.

If the Collector's office is closed for any length of time, the lack of current information or the inability to confirm that taxes have been paid could affect the sale of real estate and vehicles.

The Flu Season is Coming.

news release McCune-Brooks Hospital

The "Flu" Season is coming and now is a good time to receive the flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends October to Mid-November as the prime time to receive the flu vaccine. The flu should not be confused with a cold, a "24-hour" virus, or a "bug." The flu can involve high fever (102-104) headache and body pains, extreme fatigue and other symptoms that severely limit/restrict activity for 3-4 days.

The vaccine contains 3 virus strains (two type A and one type B). The CDC states target groups for flu vaccination are persons 65 or older, adults and children who have chronic disease disorders and women who will be in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season. Also any individual greater than 6 months of age who wishes to decrease their chances of acquiring influenza. Groups that can transmit influenza to high risk persons should also be vaccinated.

Individuals who have allergic reaction to eggs such as hives, rash, wheezing or more severe reaction should not receive the vaccine. Unlike the 1976 swine flu vaccine subsequent vaccines prepared from other virus strains have not been clearly associated with an increased frequency of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Side-effects of the vaccine can include the following: Soreness around the vaccination site for up to two days. (This occurs in less than one-third of all vaccinations). Fever, malaise, myalgia and other systematic symptoms occur infrequently. The vaccine contains only noninfectious viruses, therefore it cannot cause influenza.

One last note, if you do not take the flu vaccine and come down with the flu, there are some antiviral medications that are available. Treatment must begin within 48 hours after onset of symptoms.

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin, State Representative, District 126

A couple months ago I made reference in this column to the fact that Governor Carnahan had kept a district over in St. Louis County from having any representation this past session. I said at the time I would write about it in a future column, but there has been enough else going on that I haven’t gotten around to it until now. Since this was kind of a slow week in state government I figured this would be a good week to work it in.

There are 163 seats in the Missouri House of Representatives. When the session started there were 76 republicans, 86 democrats, and 1 independent.

Now there are 75 republicans, 85 democrats, 1 independent and 2 vacancies.

One of the vacancies just occurred in the last few weeks and the other one is the one I am writing this column about. Since it takes 82 votes to pass anything in the House, you can see that it is very close. Add to that the independent usually votes with the republicans and it gets even closer.

Just a few weeks in to the session, Bill Hand a republican from St. Louis County, passed away. Bill was a conservative and an all around good guy who represented his district very well. Whenever there is a vacancy for any reason it is up to the Governor to call a special election to fill it. There have been many vacancies occur during my time in the House and usually they were filled in a very timely manner. It just makes sense to do that since our system of government is based on representation. It is especially important when we are in session and are voting everyday.

We waited for the governor to call a special election. Then we waited some more, and some more, and some more. Then we realized what was happening. He wasn’t going to call an election so that the republicans would be missing one seat. That district usually is considered to be a safe republican seat and by not having an election, that would make for a difference of one extra vote. At first I couldn’t believe that was happening. After all, I figured those folks in that district were entitled to representation and surely Governor Carnahan would call it soon. Well, we went all session without anyone in that district. We had several votes that were decided by one vote or with a tie vote. One more vote would have made a difference. I especially remember one vote where we were trying to improve nursing home conditions with an incentive program. It was a party line vote with republicans voting for it and democrats voting against it. It ended up in a tie which means it lost. One vote would have made the difference.

It is certainly a shame this kind of thing happened. It makes a mockery of the system, and further erodes the public’s confidence in their government. There was no excuse for it.

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

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

The main function that I utilize the Collector's office for is ta get a copy of my receipt so I can get a license for cars. Seems I never have the thing when tags come due.

It's usually a lot simpler to go up and pay the buck for a duplicate receipt than to spend the time goin' through records to find the thing. I was in a real panic over this thing 'til I realized it will be after the first of the year for I might need those services again. Those of ya with a tag due this month better get ta sortin' through the glove boxes and dig up your receipt.

From what I hear there is some hope that at least some limited services may be available 'fore too long, as long as it doesn't involve payin' any taxes.

At least the yellow police tape has been removed from in front of the Collector's office door. Looked for a while like someone got shot up there.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

PAIN RELIEVERS: There are four types of over-the-counter pain relievers: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. They all work, but not all of them may be what you need. Here’s a brief description of each:

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It works by suppressing hormone-like substances that regulate body temperature, induce uterine contractions, clot blood, and regulate blood vessel constriction. That’s why it’s usually helpful for fever, menstrual cramps, headache pain, muscle pills and minor arthritis. Aspirin is not recommended for people with gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, uncontrolled hypertension, liver or kidney disease or bleeding disorders.

Acetaminophen. Also relieves moderate pain and fever, probably by acting on nerve endings to suppress pain. It’s an alternative for those who cannot tolerate aspirin.

Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium both work like aspirin, but are stronger. Anyone with the same problems that can be affected by aspirin, should avoid those two drugs as well.

Although these pain killers are sold over the counter, it’s a good idea to keep intake to 10 days or less. If symptoms persist, see your doctor.

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