Free Pass Gets Little Support.

The Mornin’ Mail questioned owners and employees last Friday at businesses located on and around the square concerning whether or not County elected officials should be allowed to have unlimited parking passes in the 2 hour parking zones around the square. Most surveyed said they should not.

Of the 23 individuals surveyed most said they thought elected officials should have to walk like everyone else unless on official business like transporting prisoners. Those opposing the free pass practice numbered 15. Four said it was alright, two said they didn’t care one way or the other, and two had no comment.

The practice of the City issuing parking passes to elected County officials was first reported by the Mornin’ Mail in the April 3 issue when it was discovered the passes were being copied and used by Courthouse employees.

City officials have stated they were unaware of the free passes and could find no ordinance to support the practice, apparently put in place by the former Police Chief.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Noticed a lot of convertibles with tops down the last few days. There was a time that I thought the idea of havin’ an air-conditioner in a convertible was really silly. I have since reconsidered my position on that matter.

I haven’t owned a convertible for years, but I assume that there have been improvements to the mechanics and function of the "rag top." The back window used ta be a sensitive contraption. They zipped in place and scratched easily as I remember. I do notice that there hasn’t been any easy solution to puttin’ on the "boot." Most of the vehicles I’ve seen run with that protective and aesthetic coverin’ not in place.

Havin’ a few days of favorable weather to run with the top down is fun, but thinkin’ back, it sure was work.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

This Is A Hammer.

Safe Gutter Cleaning

Last week, we learned about clearing debris from the rooftop and noting damage to be taken care of. This week, let’s go into more detail about the gutter system -- a critical component of a healthy roof and a healthy house.

Gutter dams -- buildups of leaves, twigs, nests and other debris in one or more spots along a gutter run -- can cause a lot of damage to the gutter, and left unchecked, can cause problems in other parts of the house. For example, water spilling over the top of a gutter or through a torn gutter seam can very quickly cause leaks or cracks in the foundation directly beneath that spot.

So inspecting and cleaning the gutter system twice a year -- spring and fall -- is important. You can do some of this inspection from the rooftop, but for a more thorough look, set up a ladder and move along the run.

To clean the gutters, wear sturdy work gloves and carry a couple of tools in your belt, particularly a long screwdriver or sturdy rod to break up stubborn dams. Once the debris piles are loosened up with a long tool (which also scares off any critters ), grab the debris and throw them down to the ground.

Once all these dams are cleared away, take the garden hose up with you, set it at the highest end of the run, and have your helper turn the water on full force. The water will wash remaining leaves and debris to the top of the downspout, where they will pile up on the downspout screen -- from which you can remove them. The water flow also will reveal leaks in the gutter system that can be patched up after the cleaning is complete.

Most leaks appear at the seams where sections of the gutter run meet up. (This is also where most dams tend to build up, as there is a little lip at the seam on which debris can get caught.) Loose seams can be reconnected fairly quickly by drilling a new hole through the upper side of the gutter sections where they overlap, and inserting a screw and washer (with the head inside the gutter and the screw protruding outside it), tightening with a wingnut.

Gutter sections with rips or holes in the middle, rather than the seams, should be replaced if possible. If a hole is not too big, however, it can be patched using a gutter patch kit.