Today's Feature

Golf Cart Warnings.

News release

The Missouri Department of Revenue (Department) and the Missouri State Highway Patrol want Missouri communities to know that even though some cities have considered ordinances approving the use of golf carts on their public streets, under state and federal law not all golf carts can be used on county roads or city streets.

"The overriding issue of public safety takes precedence when use of our roads and highways is at issue when it comes to using golf carts," said Director of Revenue Omar Davis. "Unless they have been manufactured to be used as a low-speed vehicle (LSV), golf carts do not comply with legal standards for motor vehicles and pose a hazard for their occupants as well as other motorists when operated on public streets."

Missouri law does not allow golf carts to be titled or licensed unless identified as a low-speed vehicle with the following appearing on the manufactured statement of origin (MSO): the body type specified as a low-speed vehicle; a conforming 17 digit vehicle identification number; and a statement indicating that the LSV meets or exceeds the minimal federal safety requirements. All low-speed vehicles shall be manufactured in compliance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards for low-speed vehicles, and while some low-speed vehicles may be used as a golf cart, not all golf carts can be used as a low-speed vehicle.

"State law allows municipalities to enact ordinances which are more restrictive than state law. However, they can not be more lenient. Therefore, the operation of golf carts on streets or highways is prohibited by state statute as well as being a safety issue," stated Colonel James Keathley, Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Unlike certain all-terrain vehicles, there is no special provision in state law allowing cities and counties to authorize the use of golf carts on local roads. State statute only allows local governing bodies to issue special permits to licensed drivers for extraordinary uses of all-terrain vehicles on highways within the city limits or on county roads within the county. No comparable provision exists for golf carts, nor can the all-terrain vehicle exemption be utilized to authorize such use for golf carts.

Tree Planting Demonstration.

News release

Everyone enjoys a tree that has attained large size. For this to occur, a tree will need to live for decades or even centuries. A trees long life span can be greatly reduced by improper planting. The technique is more than digging a hole and throwing in a tree. Improve your trees life by planting it properly when you get it. The only thing more important for tree health than being properly planted is to pick the right tree for the right place. If either is done incorrectly, the tree will pay the price with a shortened life, unnecessary abuse, or both.

Kellogg Lake Nature Preserve is sponsoring the workshop and providing the swamp white oak. Missouri Department of Conservation Urban Forester Jon Skinner will demonstrate the proper way to plant a tree on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 4 P.M. The free demonstration will be held in Kellogg Lake Park east of Carthage on Highway 96. Meet at the pavilion on the dam. The program will include a discussion of what to look for when deciding what and where to plant a tree.

Everyone is welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please call Jon at 417-629-3423.

Mornin'

Time ta start puttin’ the summer toys away, gettin’ ready for cool weather chores.

In these parts the Maple Leaf Festival marks the official end of the warm weather season. Leaf rakin’ and mulchin’ the garden begins, and the wash tub is placed on the mower for the season.

For many it means the crop of walnuts and pecans will soon be comin’. In my particular instance, it means a good deal of activity by the squirrels in the neighborhood. I never seem ta be able to outsmart the critters, and I suppose they make better use of the vegetation than I would anyway. At least I don’t have ta worry bout puttin’ a pecan through my neighbor’s window durin’ the first spring mowin’.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Click & Clack Talk Cars
By Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Properly Used Jumper Cables Pose No Danger

Dear Tom and Ray:

My wife heard a report on a local station warning people not to use jumper cables on modern cars. The guy said they could cause "unstable voltage" and damage on-board computer operations. I own a 2005 Subaru and a 2007 Ford. When I contacted both vehicles’ dealerships, each told me it is OK to use jumper cables. Additionally, each told me that the devices they use in their repair departments to start cars with dead or low batteries are just like jumper cables. So? What’s the truth? Are my dealership’s service representatives ignorant? Please advise! Thanks, Rob

RAY: It sounds like you’re describing my brother, Rob. Unstable voltage and on-board computer problems.

TOM: Actually, your dealership’s service representatives are exactly right. We jump-start cars all the time at the ship, and have never had any car suffer from "unstable voltage" or computer damage when it was jump-started correctly.

RAY: Now, there are lots of problems that can be created if you hook up the jumper cables backward.

TOM: Right. That can cause unstable voltage, unstable angina, fried computers, angry customers and lots of explainin’.

RAY: So, when you DO jump-start a car, you want to take great care to make sure you’re doing it correctly. If you’re not sure how to jump-start a car, we have a diagram and instructions on our Web site at www.cartalk.com. Print ‘em out and stick ‘em in your glove compartment.