The City Council is scheduled to finalize the fiscal year 2000/2001 budget during its regular meeting this evening at 7:30 in City Hall. The document has seen little opposition except for a recommendation coming from the Public Works Committee concerning the use of insurance funds received in connection with the fire that destroyed the Street Department maintenance building.

The Budget/Ways Committee is proposing a five year lease to finance the replacement structure that will cost an estimated $42,000 a year. The plan would result in the $106,000 received from insurance to be used as a typical general fund deposit. The Public Works recommendation is that the $106,000 be applied toward the replacement with the remainder of the cost to be financed as necessary.

Also scheduled for second reading is a contract with Joyce Liggett of Pro-100 Realtors to serve as negotiator for acquisition of property for a new airport and a vote on the rezoning of property located at 918 W. Centennial form District B to District O as requested by Bill Wilson. The Planning, Zoning Commission recommends approval.

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126

I’ve said this before, but it is time to say it again; just when I think I’ve seen everything, I realize that I haven’t even come close.

I came across the minutes of a meeting held by a group called the Incentives Committee. When I first read it I thought it must be some kind of joke, but it isn’t. This group met on March 7 to ‘discuss ideas on how we could improve the ACC Offenders behavior by awarding incentives’. What that means is they are discussing how to improve the behavior of prisoners at the Algoa Prison. Apparently we are no longer to call them prisoners or prisons.

Anyway, some of the things that were discussed (and remember, I am not making these up) free phone calls, video game room, van/bus tours, vacation time off, birthday time off, free TVs and radios, Offender Appreciation day, and entertainment.

It was not until the second to last paragraph on the last page that I saw a suggestion that made any sense. Someone suggested that prisoners, oops, I mean offenders, be held accountable for their actions. What a novel idea!

I am not going to stand by and let this happen without challenging it.

Does anyone realize this is prison we are talking about? It isn’t meant to be a place where people should want to go and yet Missouri prisons already have cable TV, law libraries, TV programming facilities, athletic facilities, etc. It costs over $40,000.00 per year to house a prisoner in Missouri. I don’t make $40,000.00 per year and what I make has to support four people, not just one. What we have here is an example of our bigger problem.

We are spending too much time, energy and resources looking out for the ‘rights’ of those that cost society while raiding the wallets and liberties of those that make society function. Yet no one wants to stand up and say that the emperor has no clothes. I’m going to tell you now, he is naked as a jaybird!

Making prisons, oops, I mean correctional centers, a place where people want to go isn’t the answer to our problems. Using them for punishment and justice is.

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 don’t think of it as shoppin,’ ya shop for underwear. This is more of an adventure.

I’m in the market, as they say. Not in any big hurry. The tool I’m lookin’ for isn’t even a necessity. I’ve got time. Nothin’ worse than finally buyin’ somethin’ and findin’ out it won’t do what ya want it to do.

I spent a good portion of a day last weekend just findin’ out exactly what it is that I’m wantin’. Fact is, I spent most of the time just lookin’ for someone who knew anything about what it was I was lookin’ for.

Found one guy that seemed ta know quite a bit, but he said he wasn’t much of an expert on the topic. Couple others had the new merchandise, but not much knowledge. I did run across another item I already had for ‘bout a hunderd bucks less than what I paid. Hate it when that happens.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

PICNIC IN GOOD HEALTH: Whether your summer holiday fare will be mostly picnic lunches, or foods grabbed while you’re on the run, you need to be aware of possible health risks that can cause anything from an upset stomach to a fatality.

Mary Ann Shroeder, Professor of Nursing at the Catholic University of America offers the following tips to help travelers avoid problems associated with food:

1. Avoid eating shellfish that may have come from contaminated waters, especially in countries where sanitation may not be good.

2. Do not eat raw vegetables, or drink unbottled water. Microorganisms from the soil and in water can cause diseases such as dysentery and typhoid. Examine the bottled water to see if the seal had been broken.

3. Make sure all fish and meat dishes are well-cooked. Do not eat local dishes that feature raw or partially cooked fish or meats.

4. Distinguish between boredom and hunger. Often people eat when they’re bored, which can lead to weight gain.

5. If you eat a basically healthy, low-fat diet, keep in mind that you may not be used to the richer foods you’re likely to encounter on vacation. Do sample them, but don’t overindulge.