Increased Rental Fees Planned.

Members of the Public Services Committee voted Monday evening to recommend increasing the deposit requirements and rental fees for Memorial Hall.

City Administrator Tom Short pointed to the increased use of the Hall for dances and other events that charge admission and serve alcohol as one reason for the increase.

"There are a lot more people wanting to use the hall for dances," said Short. "They’re basically making a profit on it, and we’re charging them minimal rent on the facility. The deposit is not really large enough to cover anything if damage does happen."

Currently there are eight different deposit rates for the use of the auditorium ranging from $50 to $200 depending on the length of the rental, type of event and whether alcohol is served. Under the proposed rate structure, deposits for the use of the auditorium would be either $300 or $600, depending only onwhether alcohol is served at the event. Deposits are returned if no damage is incurred.

The eight current rental rates for the auditorium ranging from $100 to $400 would be reduced to just four categories. These include a $200 or $400 rental fee for events up to eight hours, with the higher amount being charged when alcohol is served, and a $300 or $600 fee for a daily rental of more than eight hours, with the $600 rate charged when alcohol is served.

There will no longer be a rental category of "under four hours" for either the auditorium or basement area.

Rental rates for the basement become would also become more uniform. The deposit would increase to $100 for all events, and the rental fees would increase $10 to $60 for up to eight hours and to $70 for more than eight hours.

Rate increases were proposed for the use of basement offices and the Schrantz, Davis, Perkins and Baxter Rooms as well. Deposits move from $10 to $25, and rental fees increase from $20 to $25.

"We already know we’re losing money off the Hall," said Short. "This would get us to a step below what Pellhan, Phillips and Hagerman [architectural firm working on Memorial Hall renovation] were recommending as far as a rate structure and might be a little test balloon to see how the public is going to react to new rates."

After some discussion concerning how these rates might affect civic and not-for-profit events at Memorial Hall, the Committee voted unanimously to recommend the increases. An effective date for the rate increase was not discussed.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

The search for a Third Ward Council candidate is now a necessity. J.D. Whitledge, whose term expires in April, told me Monday he will not seek reelection. If no one files, the vacancy will be filled by an appointment by the Mayor, with the Council approval.

There is yet to be a candidate file for the Second Ward. Charlie Bastin has not yet announced whether he will seek another term for that position. The cut off date for filing is next Tuesday, January 19.

The only race that has developed so far is in the Fifth Ward with incumbent Donna Harlan facing a challenge by former Council member Lujene Clark. First and Fourth Wards have candidates but no opposition so far.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

According to a study done by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, parents who smoke at home put their children at risk of the Legg-Perthes disease.

This disease involves a temporary cut off of the blood supply to the child’s femoral head or hip joint. Some of the bone dies. Repair begins, and new growth occurs, only to be interrupted by a repetition of the cycle.

Legg-Perthes disease occurs in one out of 1,200 people. However, the frequency rises to one in 100 youngsters who are subjected to passive smoke at home.

Apparently, there is, normally, a poor blood supply to the femoral head in children ages 4 to 8 in the normal course of their physical development.

Dr. John D. Osland, chief resident, department of orthopaedics at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, says, "Passive smoke further restricts this already limited vascular supply to the detriment of the child."

The disease can occur between ages 3 and 12, and can leave the child subject to arthritic hip problems in later life.

The Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons also has a warning for in-line skaters: Don’t depend on your wrist guards to prevent fractures. It appears that while wrist guards can help protect against scrapes and abrasions, fractures can still occur.

Judge Wesley Ralston contemplates purchasing property in Carthage and moving from his Union township home to this city to reside.

ARCHIVES Index