The City Council Public Works Committee is scheduled to discuss the proposed Jasper County Food Service Sanitation ordinance during its regular meeting this afternoon at 5:15 in City Hall. The discussion comes at the request of the Jasper County Health Department.

The ordinance set out guidelines for the administration of food service establishment standards for the entire County except those governed by a local City Health Department. Carthage does not regulate restaurants except for building codes.

The proposed ordinance would rank food service establishments as low, medium or high priority levels depending on inspection history, potentially hazardous foods served, number of meals per time period served, and population served as indicated on a Foodservice Priority and Risk Assessment form.

Fees for inspections and service would be $150 per year for low priority, $200 per year for medium priority and $250 per year for high priority. Any person who violates a provision of the proposed ordinance could be fined as much as $1,000 per day.

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126

I have often said that over half of the battle in Jefferson City is to keep bad legislation from passing. That is because of the way the House is run, the minority party is often not allowed to bring legislation to the floor for debate or a vote. That puts us in the position of playing defense and trying to keep bad things from happening. That then leads to charges against us of being obstructionists. That is fine, I happen to see honor in keeping bad legislation from passing and adversely affecting the citizens of Missouri.

One such bill that we were able to keep from passing this year was HB1226, which would have repealed the death penalty and replaced it with a sentence of life in prison. Ever since I was first elected, I have heard the opponents of the death penalty talk about how cruel and barbaric it is.

Don’t get me wrong, I, nor anyone I know, wants to see an innocent person put to death. However, I fully support executing a person found guilty of killing someone. The only thing I would change is the length of the appeals process to make it shorter.

I just shake my head in disbelief when I hear people talk about how we need to abolish the death penalty so that we can be a civilized society. How about improving civility by abolishing crime? We are told it isn’t a deterrent to crime. Maybe it isn’t, but apparently neither is prison.

Does that mean we should quit locking criminals up? Actually, I had better be quiet; the liberals probably think that would be a good idea! Whether the death penalty and prison are deterrents or not, they are punishment and justice and those are hallmarks of a civilized society.

I wish the opponents of the death penalty would worry as much about the victims of crime as they do the criminals. It is a common sight to see protesters at the prison on the night of an execution waving signs and holding candles. Where were these people when the person they are idolizing was robbing someone and then hacking them to pieces? We as a society need to examine who we want to hold in honor and who we want to hold in contempt. When we have bills like HB1226 introduced, it would seem that we have it backwards.

As usual, I can be reached at House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or 1-800-878-7126, or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments, or advice.

I didn’t hear any official reports on how hot it was over the weekend, but heard rumors of well over a hundred. From what I was out in it, I’d say it doesn’t really matter, it was too hot ta be out in it long.

‘Cept, of course, if ya happened ta be out at Myers Park and got close to the mud pit. The turnout was no doubt helped by the unusual warmth of the day, but from what I saw, those who made their way through the course were havin’ plenty a fun.

I’m hearin’ that over three hundred kids and an unknown number of adults enjoyed the mud bath. The event was promoted by the Police Department with help from the Fire Department and several business sponsors. Lots a lives touched with little expense by the City. Good concept.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune- Brooks Hospital

Health & Nutrition by Judith Sheldon

The following few guidelines for a healthier life have been culled from suggestions made by health care providers:

1. Don’t smoke or use tobacco, including so-called smokeless tobacco. Avoid being in the presence of second-hand smoke.

2. Limit your intake of alcohol.

3. If you drive, don’t drink at all. And don’t depend on what you believe is your safe limit. Because the body changes continually, you can never be sure at what point alcohol interferes with your ability to react to emergencies.

4. Eat the right foods; reduce intake of animal products and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.

5. If overweight, lose the extra weight under the care of a doctor. Never use a "quick-loss" method. Go on a doctor-prescribed maintenance diet and exercise regimen to keep the lost weight off. Exercise regularly. Walk more.

6. Get enough sleep. If you have problems, see your doctor. Don’t use over the counter medications without his/her okay.

7. If you’re sexually active with more than one partner, be sure to practice safe sex. But don’t assume you know what "safe" is. Again, talk to your doctor. There have been some alarming findings which have narrowed the field of safe sexual practices.