The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Tuesday, September 14, 1999 Volume VIII, Number 62

did ya know?

Did Ya Know? . . .The Southwest Missouri Arthritis Association will resume the monthly Carthage Support Group meetings this Wednesday, September 15. The meeting will be at the Fair Acres Family Y at 1:00 p.m. The speaker this month will be the new Executive Director, Kathy Bond. For more information contact Sue Vandergriff at 358-2700.

Did Ya Know? . . .The Carthage Public Library accessible ramp is now open, however, the south entrance in now being renovated. Public Preschool storytimes will begin again on Tuesday evenings & Wednesday mornings on Sept. 21 & 22. Stop by or call 358-2939 to sign up your preschooler.

today's laugh

Gas Attendant: That is a great car you have there, mister. How many miles do you get to the gallon?

Customer: I only get about three miles to a gallon. My teenage son gets the other 20.

Two guys went hunting for bear. Along the way they saw a sign saying

"Bear left."

So they went home.

Teacher: Now, children, who can tell me what comes before March?

Johnny: Forward?

1899
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

Sues For Title.

Geo. Allen has brought suit in the circuit court through his attorneys E. O. Brown and Geo. P. Whitsett, against La Fayette Alexander and Mary Baldwin, to perfect his title to the property in which he resides, which is lot 165 in North Carthage. The plaintiff sets forth that in 1892 he went to the defendant Alexander and arranged with him to be his attorney in applying for a divorce; that said defendant told him he should put his real estate in third hands which he did, deeding it to the said defendant, without consideration and with the understanding that it was only in trust. Since then the plaintiff says that he has been unable to get his property back, and furthermore that first mentioned defendant deeded it to second mentioned defendant without consideration last April. Plaintiff now prays the court to set aside both deeds alluded to, and vest the title to the property in plaintiff as the rightful owner.

  Today's Feature

Carthage Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Press Conference, September 10, 1999

The Complete Text.

Thank you to everyone for coming on such short notice. We have called this news conference to present a statement addressing issues and community concerns, which also involve the Carthage Chamber of Commerce.

The first issue we would like to cover is the independent audit, which was conducted by Mense, Churchwell and Mense, a CPA firm in Joplin. The Chamber initiated the audit process early this year was researching CPA firms prior to the Carthage City Council’s audit request. The decision by the Board of Directors to have an audit was due in large part to the fact that with the growth of the Chamber and having not had one in 60 year’s as a non-profit agency, they felt it was time.

Mr. Churchwell informed the Carthage Chamber Board of Directors that the audit was a "clean opinion" and accurately represented the financial statements as of June 30, 1999. The Board of Directors unanimously accepted the audit and management review, thanking Mr. Churchwell for his independent evaluation at their Wednesday, September 9, 1999 Board Meeting. Directly after the Board meeting Chamber President Dexter Friesen, Executive Director Heather Kelly and Mr. Churchwell met with Mayor Ken Johnson and City Administrator Tom Short to review the audit information.

Mr. Friesen assured Mr. Johnson and Mr. Short that the management items for the most part had been addressed and were being implemented. Friesen did indicated that all management corrections would be in place within the 60 day time period as requested in the 99-41 and 99-42 City contract conditions.

It is important for you to know that the Chamber board and Staff have taken the audit seriously. The Board and Executive Director realize improvements needed to be made in several of the accounting procedures in addition to those items listed on Mr. Churchwell’s report, (please see page attached). As Mr. Churchwell indicated, several office procedures enhancing internal controls were put in place in January 1999.

The second issue we want to address is whether the Carthage Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meetings should be open to the public and the media. The Board of Directors stands by its acknowledge policy that these meetings are not to be "open". In polling several chambers in the area the Board found that this policy applies to most Chambers, to include the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. Although they have no written official policy on the matter.

The Board does want to state, that concerning issues of fiduciary responsibility to the City of Carthage and the taxpayers of this community, we will as always abide by the Sunshine Laws. If we discuss public finding we do welcome the City Council and we do have Ms. Jackie Boyer as our Carthage City Council Liaison. We have, and will always welcome comments and input on City/Chamber implemented projects from Ms. Boyer, the Mayor, City Executives and the Council.

The Chamber Board is confident that this is the correct position for a non-profit organization, which consists of private memberships, funded by member’s dues.

Our Board has also pledged that we will always be available for media representatives, and will be happy to meet with you immediately following any Chamber Board meetings to report on decisions made by the Board. We are also available at any time between meetings for input. Just please remember that the Board of Directors consists of volunteers from within the community. We all have businesses and other responsibilities and are not always available, but, as president of this Board of Directors I promise to return any calls from the media in a timely and professional manner. Please leave me a message when I am not in my office.

The third issue is the request by former Chamber employees to meet with the Board of Directors to air their grievances. Upon receiving their letter September 1, 1999, the Board President Dexter Friesen and Vice President Bob Copeland met with the groups’ representative. At that time, the representative was told to let the group know that the Board would like to have a written statement of their grievances prior to meeting. This request and response from the Executive Board was in compliance with existing Board Policy.

According to Board Vice President Bob Copeland the group’s representative indicated the next morning that the group would not submit a written statement. Based on this response, the Board did not meet with the group. At no time did the Board of Directors schedule a meeting with this employee group.

Currently, the Board of Directors feels very strongly that this matter needs to be put to rest.

First and foremost the Board would like to make the media aware that four of the five employees who are asking for this meeting resigned from the Chamber of their own accord. In many of the articles printed this was inherently not stated. These employees left at their own decision.

If the group will comply with the written documentation request, the Board of Directors and the Executive Director feel it would be in the best interest of the community and the membership to meet with this group to hear their grievances. Once we have received the notices the Executive Board will contact them to schedule a meeting as soon as a date and time can be agreed upon.

The Executive Board, which acts as the personnel committee and an outside independent advisor to the Board, will facilitate the meeting. The Board feels this outside independent council will ensure that the meeting covers all appropriate issues and assist in bringing this matter to closure immediately. The Board will report the meeting results to the Chamber members, the City of Carthage and the media in a timely manner.

In closing, please remember that we are all here because we care very deeply about the City of Carthage and about our entire area. We all reside and earn our living here, and the development and sustainability of our economy is of extreme importance to each and every one of us.

 

Graphic Art Opportunities

Due to our recent purchase of additional equipment and expansion of our Carthage, Missouri facility, we are currently taking applications for the following positions:

Press Operator. Must have experience operating an A.B. Dick 360, Chief 117, Heidelberg windmill, power cutter, and folding equipment. Dark room and layout experience.

Bindery: General bindery, padding, stitching, booklet assembly and binding. Some lifting involved.

Pick up an application at 213 Lyon, Carthage, Missouri, or call for appointment. 417-358-5174 Fax 417-358-3168 email: mmail@morninmail.com

Carthage Printing Services

"Latest technology, Old fashioned values."


 

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

If ya missed the Midwest Gathering of the Artists' auction, ya missed quite a show. Not only the art work, but the artistic talents of the auctioneer. I haven't seen more energy exhibited in the attempt to engage an audience in a while. I haven't seen the numbers, but I'd have ta guess the overall sales of the auction will approach a record. The artists were pleased I'm sure. 'Course after 22 years, those who attend expect a top notch performance.

There is a unique blend of talents that bring the show together each year. Bob Tommey, Danny Hensley, and Sandy Higgins continue to amaze the artists and the public with their outstandin' jop of puttin' it all together. Along with the help of numerous volunteers, it just keeps gettin' better.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

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McCune Brooks Hospital

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