Today's Feature

Safety Committee Approves Festivities.

The City Council Public Safety Committee met on Monday evening in a regular session. The committee approved a motion to forward to City Council a recommendation to approve the special events that are a part of the annual Marian Days Festival. The festival is to be held from August 7-10. The standard requests that were submitted by the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix include the spraying of the grounds for insects on or before July 27^th, a parade from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, fireworks on the CMC grounds following the parade and loudspeaker broadcasts before midnight on August 8 and 9. The committee unanimously approved a motion to recommend to Council the approval of these requests.

The committee also discussed a request for the City to pay for two Carthage Police officers to attend the MSSU Police Academy. Carthage Police Chief Greg Dagnan told the committee that Communications Officer Amanda Highley and Animal Control Officer Justin Butler had both scored highly on Police tests, and that by taking the courses at the Police Academy, both officers would be post-certified and prepared to move into the regular Police Force. Dagnan said that the Joplin Police office offers a similar program.

"It’s a great way to give them a step to go up the ladder," said Dagnan.

Dagnan proposed that in exchange for the City funding the education, the two officers would be required to sign a three-year contract to continue serving with the Carthage Police force. Following the certification, the two officers would keep their current jobs until there is an opening on the force.

Committee members inquired if Dagnan was proposing the idea as a permanent program for the City, or if it would be handled on a case-by-case basis. Dagnan recommended trying the proposal and evaluating the results before instating a regular program.

"My thought is, let’s see if it works," said Dagnan. "If we like it, we may develop a program."

The committee unanimously supported the idea, and recommended that the proposal be forwarded to the City Council Budget Ways and Means Committee to discuss funding. The cost for enrollment in the MSSU Police Academy is approximately $5,300 per participant.

Fire Chief John Cooper spoke to the committee concerning bids for a Fire Department grass truck, which may also be converted to a rescue truck. Cooper told the committee that the submitted three bid requests and only received one bid from Village Chevrolet of Carthage. The bids also include the addition of a truck bed to be manufactured by low bidder Martin Manufacturing of Sarcoxie. The total cost for the truck, bed, lights, siren, radio and decals is $29,641, which is under the budgeted amount of $34,000. The committee approved a motion to forward the item to City Council with a recommendation to approve the bid.

Mornin',

I can remember my little sister runnin’ home cryin’ that one of the neighbor boys called her some name, prob’ly somethin’ like peanutbreath. She was obviously upset, even though at her age, she had no idea what the name meant (nor do I at my age). She just knew that someone had called her that and she was hurt.

That was prob’ly the time she was given the ultimate defense against such attacks. The "Sticks and stones can break my bones". If I have ta finish that old sayin’ you’ve let a very protected childhood.

I would have to guess some mother centuries ago came up with that. I would guess that those words are spoken to near ever’ preschooler as part of the first day ritual.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip
By JoAnn Derson

Recipe Substitutions: If you need 1 cup of tomato juice, use 1/2 cup of tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup of water.

"Cleaning the miniblinds is a real chore, but what makes it easier for me is putting a pair of socks over my hands, and then spraying them with cleaner." -- R.D. in Iowa

"Tacos are a favorite meal in our house, but very messy -- until we discovered a great use for coffee filters. We use a filter to hold the taco. We peel back the paper as we eat, and nothing drips out or falls out, even if the shell cracks!" -- E.B. in Oregon

"I use a baster (basting syringe) to water small potted plants. It’s just enough water, and I can get it right where I need it." -- S.D. in Virginia

"When we go to the beach -- which is pretty often, it seems -- we always bring a drawstring mesh bag. After playing on the beach, we load all the toys into the bag, then drag it through the water a little. The sand washes off into the ocean, and the toys are pretty clean. We then stick it inside a plastic bag for the ride home." -- I.L. in Florida

Grease muffin pans with an old, clean paintbrush dipped in oil. You’ll use less oil, and it’s much less messy.

"Whenever I walk my dogs, along with doggie bags for cleaning up their messes, I also bring an extra plastic grocery bag with me. I often see empty bottles, cans and other trash that has been haphazardly thrown to the side of the road by environmentally unfriendly motorists and passersby. I’ll pick up what I can along the route and throw the bag of garbage away in the Dumpster when the dogs and I return home." -- C.E. from Florida

Another great icepack idea: Keep a bag of unpopped popcorn kernels in the freezer to use as an icepack for bumps, bruises and swelling.