A 5-5 Split Possible on Parking Issue.

The Carthage City Council members began defining their stance on the proposed two month temporary repeal of the two-hour parking ordinance during the regular meeting last Tuesday evening.

Public Safety Committee Chair Bill Welch voted against the effort in Committee, but said he will vote for the proposal when it comes up for the second reading during next Council meeting.

Council members Diane Sharits and T.J. Teed have spoken against the idea in past Committee meetings. They were joined by member Mike Harris who opposed the repeal, and Claude Newport who said he was leaning toward voting against it, but would like to see more support from business owners on the Square. Member Larry Ross also indicated he was not inclined to vote for the measure.

Public Safety Committee members John Studebaker, Wayne Campbell and Brent Grenninger voted for the measure in committee. Member Dan Rife has not spoke to the matter in Council. A 5-5 vote would kill the measure as it takes 6 votes to pass an ordinance.

Just to keep the record straight, there seems ta be some confusion out there, the Mayor never votes on an City ordinance. It’s not that it’s forbidden, it simply cannot come up. City Code says that it take six votes of the Council to enact an ordinance. There are ten Council members. If ya get six votes, there ain’t no tie possible. If ya don’t get six votes, there ain’t no ordinance. If only seven members show up at a meetin’, it still takes six votes.

The Mayor can break ties on motions concernin’ procedure, such as tablin’ a proposed ordinance. Those votes just take a majority of those actually at the meetin’. Last meetin’ there were only 9 members of the Council present. A motion to table the parkin’ issue would have only taken 5 votes, no ties were possible.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Woodpile Tips

Q: My housemates and I are having a bit of an argument. We purchased a cord of firewood for use this winter in the fireplace. They want to store the wood on the side of the house, near the back door, so it can be accessed quickly. I think this will bring bugs and other pests into the house. What’s your take? -- Jim in Boulder, Colo.

A: You’re right that piling the wood at the side of the house isn’t a good idea, as outdoor woodpiles tend to attract bugs and rodents. Poorly stacked wood also retains moisture from rain and snow and can mold and rot. And the stack could damage the house’s siding, either from impact with the siding or from mold.

However, you don’t have to store the wood too far away from the house, either, as long as it is stored correctly. Here are a few tips on properly storing firewood:

• Store firewood about 4-10 feet from the house, not inside or against the siding.

• Split firewood logs to relatively the same size prior to stacking.

• Keep the stack off the ground by placing across two parallel wood or metal rails

• Shelter the pile from rain and snow if possible.

• Don’t stack higher than 4 feet.

• Cross-stack firewood (one row facing one direction, the next row facing another direction) to promote airflow through the woodpile, which reduces moisture and pest infestation.

• Shovel snow from around the stack and brush off the logs after each storm.

• Bring in only as much firewood as you need for each fire.

• Store firewood brought indoors in a fire-resistant container.

• If the firewood outside is too damp to burn properly, bring a small amount into a dry area of the house separate from your living area (such as the garage).