Today's Feature

Police Chief Appointed.

The Carthage City Council during Tuesday’s meeting appointed Greg Dagnan as the new Carthage Police Chief. Mayor Jim Woestman spoke to the Council about the salary for the chief prior to the appointment.

Woestman said that the position had been temporarily filled by Lieutenant Barry Duncan since November of 2007, when former Chief Dennis Veach left Carthage for a job as chief in Sachse, Texas. According to Woestman, the City received 78 applications for the position, of which 9 were initially selected by the Mayor. The Police Committee narrowed that selection down to 6.

Woestman said that those 6 were contacted and that three of them had already taken different jobs and so the remaining three were interviewed. The salary during Veach’s term was $56,000. The first choice for Chief, Greg Dagnan, was making a higher salary training police officers at Missouri Southern State University, but had said he would accept the position for $64,000. Woestman said he asked Dagnan if that amount could be lowered, to which Dagnan replied that $62,000 would be acceptable.

Woestman said that he had twice asked Council to increase the salary to $62,000, but the increase had not been approved either time.

Woestman added that he had been waiting on the results of the Comprehensive Salary and Compensation Study being conducted by Kaatz & Associates LLC to verify that the increase was justified, however, the Mayor said he feared it would be as late as July before the study was finalized. Kaatz & Associates provided preliminary numbers according to Woestman, which showed the median pay scale for 16 local cities at $62,825 in one draft. A second draft showed the median salary at $62,056.

"I’ve seen another draft, and there could be another," said Woestman. "I’m thoroughly disgusted with our source of information."

Woestman asked the Council to approve an increase of the salary to $62,056.14 annually so that Dagnan could be hired.

"Carthage is an above average City," said Woestman. "I think we should pay above average. Someone please make a motion."

Council member Mike Harris made the motion to allow the increase and repeal the portion of the Comprehensive study relating to the Police Chief.

The vote to increase the salary was approved in a 5 to 4 vote. Those in favor of the increase included Council members Scott Giett, Mike Harris, Bill Johnson, Bill Welch and Tom Flanigan. Those opposed included Bill Fortune, Cyndi Curry, Diane Sharits and Dan Rife. Council member Claude Newport was not in attendance of the meeting.

Following that vote the Council proceeded to consider the Mayor’s appointment of Greg Dagnan. There was no discussion by the Council but the vote to accept the appointment was approved in a 7 to 2 vote. Those in favor of the appointment included; Council members Scott Giett, Mike Harris, Cyndi Curry, Bill Johnson, Bill Welch, Tom Flanigan and Dan Rife. Those opposed included Council members Bill Fortune and Diane Sharits.

During closing comments Council member Harris noted his approval of the selection.

"I know in my heart of hearts that we got the right Police Chief," said Harris.

The Council also recognized the appointment of new Police Captain Randee Kaiser. Kaiser received a plaque from the City and a standing ovation from those in attendance for his promotion.

Mornin'

I guess ya just expect it.

I looked up ta see what time it was a couple a days ago and couldn’t believe it. The clock at SMB had gone blank. Like all electromechanical contraptions, I suppose it happens from time to time.

I didn’t bother to check both sides, just the one. I guess I was so dismayed at not knowin’ the SMB time, my mind just wandered.

I heard on Wednesday that it’s still not fixed yet. Hopefully they’ll get it back on track soon. Lots of folks use it as a reference when they’re drivin’ around.

I don’t suppose there is any steadfast rule that a bank has ta provide this particular service, but goin’ without it for a couple a days makes ya appreciate it a little more.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dear Tom and Ray:

Last year a friend gave me a nearly new set of tires for my Toyota Tacoma 4x4. I’m a cyclist who puts about 14,000 miles a year on my bicycles, so I drive very little. At the rate I drive, it might need to be five years or more before I need to install these tires on my truck. Is there anything I need to do in terms of storage and preservation so these tires are safe to use in the future. Or should I sell them now, while they’re still in usable condition? - James

RAY: All you need to do is store them in your hyperbaric nitrogen chamber, James.

TOM: Even if tires aren’t worn out in the traditional way - by leaving tiny, rubber pieces of themselves on 40,000 miles of roadway - they still get old. The rubber can dry out and crack, due mostly to ozone that’s in the air.

RAY: So, a number of manufacturers now suggest that we all put expiration dates on our tires. Ford, for instance, suggests that you get rid of a set of tires after six years of use, due to atmospheric degradation of the rubber.

TOM: And while cynics would say they’re just trying to sell more tires (and, of course, that is a happy side benefit), there is a good body of evidence to back up their recommendation.

RAY: So, if your tires have been on your truck for six years or more (and yours may have been, since you drive so little), you may want to put those newer tires on right now.

TOM: And if not, sell them to someone who can use them now, and use the proceeds to buy yourself some extra-heavily padded bicycle shorts. About 14,000 miles? Ouch!