2001 July 4th Plans.

A preliminary budget is being considered for the 2001 Forth of July celebration. The Committee appointed by the Mayor to make recommendations to the full Council met last Thursday evening in City Hall is estimating a budget of between $60,000 and $65,000 for the event.

The 2000 fireworks display and activities associated with the celebration cost approximately $55,000. The City historically had spent between $10,000 and $15,000 for a fireworks display before the Millennium celebration. The display alone cost $20,000 for the 2000 celebration and the Council has appropriated approximately $30,000 in this year’s budget. Contributions from sponsors and various fees are expected to generate enough revenue to make up the difference.

Approximately $14,000 was donated for the 2000 event. The budget projections for next year expect that amount to raise to between $20,000 and $25,000.

Expenses projected include $6,000 for children’s activities, $5,000 for entertainment/stage area, $12,000 for general publicity, $20,000 for fireworks, and $2,400 for rain insurance, plus others.

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126

I imagine as you read this we still won’t have a declared winner in the presidential election. It is becoming increasingly clear that George Bush has won the election, but Al Gore is doing what democrats have been doing a lot of lately, whatever it takes to win. I appreciate all the emails many of you have sent expressing outrage over the way the elections in St. Louis and Florida have been handled. It appears as though nothing is going to be done about the mess in St. Louis and I am at a loss to explain why. I am currently looking into what legislation could be filed to address this in future elections.

Both the House and Senate met last week to elect leadership positions. In the House, there was no net change in the numbers of democrats and republicans. The democrats hold the advantage in the House 87-76. The democrats elected as their candidate for Speaker, Rep Jim Krieder (D-Nixa).

Since almost all elections for Speaker go straight down party lines, it is likely he will be the next Speaker.

The House republicans elected as our leader, Rep. Catherine Hanaway (D-St. Louis). Rep. Hanaway is only in her second term, but has a lot going for her. Though only in her early 30s, she directed the Bush-Cheney campaign for Missouri and is largely credited for Bush carrying the state.

I am excited about her being our leader because she understands that as the minority party, we need to be more outspoken and aggressive. She also understands there is as much honor in stopping bad legislation as there is in passing legislation. Those are two things that have been sorely lacking the last few years from our side of the aisle. There is also a valid argument to be made for electing someone to leadership that won’t be term limited out next election.

The situation in the Senate is a little different. Because of three vacancies that occurred, combined with a democrat incumbent being defeated, the republicans hold a 16-15 majority. The Senate has 34 members, but 2 democrats and 1 republican won election to either Congress or statewide office. That makes the 16-15 majority, but with 3 vacancies.

Adding to the mix, one of the democrats, Joe Maxwell, was elected Lt. Gov., who, by Constitution, presides over the Senate. If there is a tie vote, he will break the tie. Depending on the outcome of the upcoming special elections to fill the vacancies, things could get exciting in the Senate next Session. As for us in the House, it appears as though I will be spending my last 2 years playing defense, again.

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.

Turkey day is upon us. With one more day ‘fore the holiday, I’m figurin’ not much will be gettin’ done ‘cept for shoppin’ ‘till next Monday.

I heard from one that they didn’t think that takin’ off for the holiday was worth it. The same amount a work had ta get done this week, just in three days instead a five.

Gettin’ out a the routine does cause some disruption, but I’d have ta guess that most think it’s worth it.

Those who use the time to get Christmas shoppin’ outa the way have always amazed me. I prefer to wait until the crowds thin down. Usually sometime in January.

I’d recommend spendin’ Christmas with the family, and then havin’ a "gift day" sometime later after the first of the year.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune- Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

Health & Nutrition by Judith Sheldon

According to the NIH Healthline, a publication from the National Institutes of Health, there is definitely a connection between the benefits of exercise and our genetic makeup.

Our genes will largely determine how we respond to exercise, regardless of age or sex. (Please note that I never use the term, gender, since gender actually refers to grammatical differences. We living creatures have sexual differences, and I wish people wouldn’t be so timid about using the word, sex, where and when it’s appropriate.)

Dr. Claude Bouchard of Laval University in Quebec, noted that response to exercise is measured by the ability of the muscles to take up and use oxygen, as well as fat metabolism, performance of the heart, and changes in glucose and insulin levels, and other factors.

However, while we may respond differently to exercise, the fact is, all people derive some positive effects, including reducing the risk of developing cancer. Exercise has also been shown to help control diabetes.

As Dr. Bouchard says, "Regardless of your genetic makeup, exercise is still important in maintaining overall health."