An agreement between the City of Carthage and the Carthage Chamber of Commerce for economic development services will be in first reading during Tuesday evening’s regular Council meeting in City Hall. The $85,000 annual contract does not specify any personnel, but in a joint media conference City and Chamber officials announced that current City Economic Development Director Max McKnight would leave City employment and assume the position of Chamber Executive Director if the contract was approved. McKnight has been employed by the City since March of 1996. Details of any severance package have yet to be determined by the Council.

The contract states that the term of the agreement is intended to extend until June 30, 2005. However, there are several conditions including an annual reconfirmation of the contract by both parties on or before July of each year.

"If either party determines that it will not reconfirm this Agreement," says the document, "it shall notify the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Agreement."

It’s good to feel solid ground under foot after the snow melt. Somethin’ with a little traction to allow a quicker pace without the fear of landin’ on the backside.

I can remember when those trampoline jumpin’ places were spreadin’ through the country. They charged by the half hour, so we used ta try and get as many jumps per minute as possible. After a three or four hunderd hops, gettin’ back on earth left the legs feelin’ like they were still bobbin’ up and down. Just too much fun.

Those of us landlubbers who were raised in the Midwest also feel a little uneasy on large bodies of water. Gettin’ out of sight of land takes some gettin’ used to, let alone the constant rockin’ of the boat.

Most boat rockers in these parts need ta keep their feet on the ground.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Workman's
Loan

The Super Handyman
by Al Carrell and Kelly Carrell

Sometimes it is hard to get at a nail set to help hide those finish nails. If you have a ratchet set, you might be able to make the chore easier.

The 3/8-inch ratchet drive extension just happens to be the right size to fit over the end of most nail sets, and you can tap the end of the extension instead of trying to get at the nail set.

You don’t want to make a habit of it, as it isn’t too good for the extension, but it’s all right to do it every now and then.

One of the most import things you can do to help your refrigerator run efficiently is to keep the coils clean. You should clean the coils once a month or so.

Depending upon the style of refrigerator, the coils are located either underneath or on the back. Either way, they can be difficult to reach for cleaning. A Vacuum with a hose extension works best, but you might have trouble with just the standard attachments. One clever way of getting at tough-to-reach areas is to attach bottle brush to the end of the vacuum’s wand.

The vacuum should have no trouble getting the dust once it’s loosened by the brush.

Q: I have some old furniture pieces made of walnut. Over the years they have become dry looking. What can I use to clean the and protect it? - N.S.

A: A Little paint thinner can clean the wood, and then you can apply a new coat of compatible finish, which would protect and beautify the furniture.