Carthage A Little Above Average.

A survey of salaries for fire and police personnel in thirty-nine communities comparable in size to Carthage concludes that Carthage is just a little above average.

The report was prepared by City Administrator Tom Short and submitted to the Public Safety Committee and the Finance/Personnel Committee. Council member Lujene Clark reported to the Council at the last regular meeting that the Finance Committee was satisfied with the current level of compensation and recommended no action .

The Public Safety Committee requested the report to evaluate options for recruiting and retaining qualified personnel. The report also showed the new Joplin pay ranges as they compared to Carthage.

Police Chief Dennis Veach told the Public Safety Committee that he would not expect Carthage to offer equivalent compensation, but the higher pay scale offered by Joplin has to be considered.

An ordinance allowing Carthage Police personnel to live within fifteen miles of the Police Station is being recommended to the Council. Currently officers must have a Carthage phone prefix.

Southwest Missouri 911 Centers Move To Better Serve Wireless 911 Callers.

news release

For the first time ever, 18 of the 911 Centers in Southwestern Missouri joined together to move forward on a critical safety issue for 911 callers using wireless phones.

The Center managers called a meeting with the telephone service providers as well as the wireless carriers within the region to plan a realistic strategy for implementing the FCC Mandate to deliver cell tower location and mobile telephone number to the emergency services answering points. The mandate is now two years old and no 911 center in the region is currently receiving this information.

The proliferation of wireless devices has driven the number of such calls to average nearly 40% of the total 911 calls received throughout the Region. Both Southwestern Bell and Verizon telephone companies provide 911 telephone services to the centers. Wireless carriers have marketed the wireless telephone as a means to accomplish both business and personal calls during the times away from a residence. Many such phones are purchased as a personal safety item for traveling family members, children, etc. The problem is that unlike a call from a wireline phone, the wireless device call reaches the 911 center without any supporting physical location information or call back number. These elements are considered crucial to the ability of any 911 center to dispatch the most appropriate emergency services, promptly and effectively. This information is often the only link to provide any response if the caller is lost, disconnected or simply unable to speak.

The wireless carriers, who attended the meeting to share these concerns, included AllTel, AT&T Wireless, Nextel, Southwestern Bell Wireless. Neither Sprint PCS or US Cellular participated in this important discussion to enhance the safety of their wireless 911 callers.

The 911 Centers of Southwest Missouri will over the next six months work with the wireless carriers to reach the level of service that provides some basic location information as well as the call back number. Eventually, wireless carriers will be required to pass along to the 911 Center an approximate location, by latitude/longitude, of every 911 caller.

The time change is never an easy transition.

I tried to sleep in the extra hour on Sunday, but my internal clock was wide awake. After tossin' and turnin' for a half hour or so, I rambled around the house and waited for the day to catch up.

Ever'thing was proceeding fairly well, the clocks were all changed the night before. It looked as though it would be fairly painless except for the early darkness.

I went for my second cup of coffee, and discovered the timer for the pot was overlooked. Luke warm java and the timer was shut down.

My system will adjust in a couple a weeks as usual, just in time for the annual holiday stress.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune- Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

by Judith Sheldon

PAIN RELIEVERS: There are four types of over-the-counter pain relievers: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. They all work, but not all of them may be what you need. Here’s a brief description of each:

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It works by suppressing hormone-like substances that regulate body temperature, induce uterine contractions, clot blood, and regulate blood vessel constriction. That’s why it’s usually helpful for fever, menstrual cramps, headache pain, muscle pills and minor arthritis. Aspirin is not recommended for people with gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, uncontrolled hypertension, liver or kidney disease or bleeding disorders.

Acetaminophen. Also relieves moderate pain and fever, probably by acting on nerve endings to suppress pain. It’s an alternative for those who cannot tolerate aspirin.

Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium both work like aspirin, but are stronger. Anyone with the same problems that can be affected by aspirin, should avoid those two drugs as well.

Although these pain killers are sold over the counter, it’s a good idea to keep intake to 10 days or less. If symptoms persist, see your doctor.