Area Elected Officials Meet.

Elected officials from several communities in Jasper, Newton, and Barton Counties gathered in Carl Junction yesterday afternoon for the regular monthly meeting of the group. The meeting was held at the newly opened Carl Junction High School and those in attendance were given a brief history of the community’s efforts to finance and build the facility.

The topic of a Jasper County law enforcement sales tax was again brought up as part of the group’s discussion. Jasper County Presiding Commissioner Danney Hensley told the group he was in favor of the idea of sharing any revenue from such a tax with the communities in the County. He said the County and most communities spend approximately half of their budget each year on law enforcement.

County Commissioner Anna Ruth Crampton said she is gathering information and hopes to present in to the group at their next meeting which will be at the Carthage City Hall.

Hensley said he would like to see the question of a law enforcement tax presented to the people for a vote next April.

In case ya didn’t notice, the date for the Public Works meeting was published in yesterday’s Mornin’ Mail was not quite on the money. The date shoulda been the 18th, today. In most cases it wouldn’t be so critical, but several folks interested in the proposed buildin’ maintenance code are plannin’ on attendin’.

Just for the record, the meetin’ will be this afternoon in City Hall at 4 p.m.

Anyone interested in this topic should take advantage of this opportunity to get their opinion on record. The Council will be decidin’ soon as to exactly how the regulations will be put down. Might be one a those instances where public input makes a real difference. This is ‘bout as close as you can get to your back yard.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

If the tastes and interests of your emerging teen have clearly shifted from a once-adored Little Mermaid wallpaper border or Ninja Turtle lampshade, update the accessories in your child’s room or the portion of the room he/she shares. You don’t have to buy expensive materials for these decorating crafts; just use what you already have around the house and pick up the rest at a discount store.

Once the materials are assembled, assist your child in the initial steps, then let him/her do the rest.

Sponge-Paint a Denim-Style Lamp shade: Find a white fabric lampshade or recycle an old one that might be slightly faded or spotted. It should fit your child’s bedroom lamp.

On a plastic plate or old pie tin, squeeze out three puddles of acrylic paints in dark blue, light blue and white. Use a clean sponge to dab the paint on the lampshade, starting with the dark blue. Sponge the entire shade.

While the paint is still damp, sponge the light blue paint randomly over the dark blue. Finally, lightly apply the white paint in the same fashion. For an even application, always dab the sponge on a piece of paper toweling before applying it to the lampshade.

Make an Eye-catching Bulletin Board: Cut a sheet of foam-core board to fit above your child’s desk. Then use scissors to cut geometric shapes from a clean sponge. Dab the cut sponges in bright colors of acrylic paints and apply randomly around the border of the board. Let the shapes overlap for a nice effect.

From a catchall for pencils and pens, glue a blue-jean pocket to one of the corners of the board. Simply cut out the hip pocket from a pair of old denim jeans and glue the two sides and bottom edges of the pocket to the board.