Today's Feature

Tax Increase Rejected.

Carthage voters rejected a half-cent increase in the local sales tax by over two to one at the ballots yesterday. The vote unofficial tally last night was 325 for and 669 against. The tax, which would have generated approximately $800,000 a year for the next ten years, would have been used to finance the purchase and development of property to be used for an industrial/business park just south of the McCune Brooks Regional Hospital.

The voters elected Lee Elliff Pound (787) and Michael S. Goolsby (605) to the Carthage R-9 School board. Alan Snow (498) and James Baldwin (397) were also on the ballot for the two open seats.

The Carthage City Council had no contested races, but the vote count gives some indication of voter turn out. Carthage has approximately 6,000 registered voters. Ward 1, Wayne Campbell, 67; Ward 2, William Fortune, 66; Ward 3, Diane Sharits, 145; Ward 4, Bill Welch, 321; Ward 5, Dan Rife, 197. There was a total of 14 write in votes in the five wards.

The total was 810, or just over 13%. The average county turn out was 6.75%.

Mornin'

There are some things ya just don’t wanna hear.

Had a gentleman walk in the shop the other day. I heard our little door bell ring as the door opened and came to the front. He was standin’ with the door still open.

"Guess you don’t need a doorbell," he said. The one thing he was hopin’ for when he walked in was silence.

Then there are things some folks wanna hear. The guy in the muffler business hears opportunity in what most look at as an annoying rumble comin’ from an automobile. It’s all in your point of view.

‘Course ever’one has a change a heart ever’ now and then., but most just seem ta hear what they want to no matter what the circumstances.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here’s A Tip

By JoAnn Derson

• Go Green Tip: Caulk and weatherstrip around windows and doors that leak air. As Dad used to say, "We aren’t paying to air-condition the outdoors!"

• "When I know I will need to make an appointment for a doctor’s or other visit in the future and can’t make it right away, I write the details on a small sticky note and put it in my checkbook register. I note the earliest date I can make the appointment and when it should take place. As I am reconciling my checking account, I look at the notes and see if there are any events coming up that I need to make appointments for. I feel like I am ahead of the curve."

• Need a place to keep plastic grocery bags for reuse? An empty tissue box is a great container for a small number, or the box from a 12-pack of sodas will keep a larger amount nicely.

• "With my photo album and supplies I keep a small pack of plain stickers. I note all the people in the picture, the date and other pertinent details, and stick the sticker on the back. It keeps ink from bleeding through." -- B.M. in Nevada

• "I just wanted to give three cheers for microchipping pets. I lost my beloved spaniel Daisy last week, and she was found and returned to me because the very smart person who found her took her to a local vet, who was able to get the microchip information. The company notified me where my baby was, and all is well." -- N.R. in Florida

• If you have a lot of medical visits throughout the year and have trouble keeping receipts for tax purposes, try investing in a small daily planner just for your medical information. You can note appointment dates and mileage to and from the doctor’s office and attach receipts to the pages (parking, deductible payments, etc.). At the end of the year, it’s all ready to hand over to a tax professional.