County Septic Regulations Clarified.

During their regularly scheduled Thursday meeting Presiding Commissioner Hensley spoke of the many phone calls he and the office staff have received regarding septic systems in Jasper County. Hensley wanted to make it clear that the new requirements apply only to septic systems and not to a deck, pole barn or garage.

Any person or entity that constructs, or causes to bring into Jasper County, a structure that contains a bathroom facility must apply for a building permit and a septic permit prior to installation.

The cost is $25 for a building permit plus $75 for the septic permit which includes a mandatory inspection before the waste system can be covered and used.

Failure to apply for permits has an immediate remedy. No water, gas or electric service will be provided to said structure until the permits are obtained and an inspection by a qualified, certified inspector is filed. After the inspection is certified the County contacts the appropriate utility company and directs it to provide service.

Western District Commissioner Anna Ruth Crampton reported that she received a bid to repair the Court House boiler for $44,000. She also stated she received three bids for a new system from one company. All of the bids were in excess of $300,000 for heating and cooling.

Director John Callison and Administrator William Gory of the County Health Department were present at the meeting to reinforce the concerns of their department in regards to septic systems that are improperly installed.

Callison also explained to the Commissioners about the new GeoMedia software the Health Department recently purchased. In addition to being Emergency 911 compatible the new software also has the capability of locating every septic and well in the County. Additionally it can track an outbreak of a disease in the County.

Callison told the Mornin’ Mail that Shigella is a problem in the County especially among school-age children. Symptoms are flu-like and include severe diarrhea. The best prevention is washing hands after using a bathroom and before eating.

Callison said Shigella is particularly hard on elderly, invalid and young children as they may not exhibit symptoms. He also said that very frequently the earliest symptoms are often ignored. Shigella can be diagnosed through a simple stool test.

County Commissioner Danny Hensley reported that Sheriff Bill Pierce is searching for a new dentist for County prisoners to replace Dr. Michael Woody. Hensley also commented that inmate cavities are not filled. The County will only pay for a tooth that is pulled.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

I see where they’re sayin’ that increased productivity is the reason that inflation is stayin’ down even though the economy is growin’. They say that computers are the main reason for that productivity.

After fifteen or so years, the personal computer is startin’ to actually pay off in a big way. For those of us who put up with the battle to keep up with the constant change and so called "improvements" in the little machines, that’s good news. Most of us are continually wonderin’ if it is really worth the effort.

Without the computer, the time and cost of production of the Mornin’ Mail would be prohibitive. We are prob’ly a small example of the effect of increased productivity that results in gettin’ just a little more for your dollar.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

'

by

Workman's Loan

The Super Handyman

Dear Al: I used to have the hardest time pulling a big, heavy plastic trash bag up out of the plastic can. The bags were held down by a vacuum effect or something. So, I poked a couple of small holes into the can with a nail. The holes allow enough air in so that the bag come out easier now.

Dear Al & Kelly: I was trying to loosen a screw with an Allen head and couldn't find my Allen wrench. I guess I probably loaned it to someone who forgot to return it. You know how that is. Anyway, I ended up using my hacksaw to cut a slot on the top of my screw to fit my slotted screwdriver. It might not look good, but I'm sure I will be able to find at leasy\t one slotted screwdriver if I need to loosen it again. I guess I'll replace the missing Allen wrench one of these days.

Q: What can be done about a hairline crack in a toilet tank? It doesn't leak but makes us worry that it might.

A: Shut off the water with the valve located under the tank. Flush the toilet and then remove all the remaining water with a sponge. With all the surface clean, you can apply a clear epoxy adhesive. Use the kind that has two components that you mix together. Apply the glue to both sides of the crack. Give it time to set before filling the tank with water again.

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