Internet Access Rate on Agenda.

The CW&EP Board of Directors will consider rates to be charged by the public utility for dial-up internet access during its regular meeting this Thursday at 4 p.m. in City Hall.

The discussion will involve comparisons of pricing by other providers in the area according to CW&EP Marketing Director Chuck Bryant.

Equipment to bring the service on line is expected to be delivered next month and Bryant says plans are to have the service available to customers by mid to late November. As soon as a decision is made on rates, the utility will begin promoting the service in earnest.

Charges for those choosing the service would be shown in the monthly utility bill along with electricity and water charges.

The Board is also scheduled to consider bids for Phase II of water line extensions from south of Centennial to Breckenwood, consideration of bids for manhole rehabilitation, and consideration of bids for sewer line rehabilitation.

A report from the Long Range Planning Committee is also on the agenda.

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126

We had the annual Veto Session this week. Compared to last year, it was a non event. Last year we took up the Partial Birth Abortion bill that Gov. Carnahan had vetoed. The Capitol was so full of folks you couldn’t stir ‘em with a stick.

This year the biggest event was saying good bye to all the folks that won’t be coming back next year. We have about 30 representatives that won’t be returning to the House of Representatives next Session. The reasons for leaving range from retirement, to running for something else, to term limits. Due to a quirk in the term limits law, the representatives that were elected in special elections after 1992 have to leave this year.

The rest of us that were elected in 1992 or before have to leave after the ’00-’02 term. Throw in the fact that some folks will get beat in November and you are looking at about half of the House being freshmen. That is nothing compared to next year when about 100 of us will be pushed out by term limits. That is about 2/3 of the House membership.

There is something to be said for new blood and ideas, but there is also something to be said for institutional memory. The biggest area that we will see the effects of that will be in the state budget. Believe it or not, it takes a while to get your arms around a 17 billion dollar budget.

The bureaucratic bean counters get very creative at hiding money to use for their pet projects. The past procedure has been to serve a few years on an Appropriations Committee to learn a specific area of the budget and then get appointed to the Budget Committee.

The Budget Committee is just that, the committee that oversees the entire state budget. Because of term limits, the new members won’t have the luxury of taking a few years to learn the budget. With only eight years total to serve, they will have to jump in right away. That is going to put them at a disadvantage with the bureaucrats who have been doing budget requests for years.

Don’t get me wrong. Change and turnover is good, but it works better when there is some continuity to it. The bottom line is that none of us are irreplaceable, the sun will come up the next day and life will go on. It may just cost the taxpayer a little more.

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 see we’re startin’ into the general election campaignin’ season. That last rain musta sprouted a bunch a campaign posters. They started poppin’ up all over town.

‘Course the national ads are startin’ to show up on tv. I usually take some interest in the ads, but haven’t really got into the swing of things yet.

I’m catchin’ some bits and pieces on some of the news type shows ‘bout this one said this and the other reacted so-and-so.

It’s great that we have the ability to document ever’ detail of a year long campaign, but sometimes I wonder if it makes a lot a difference. After a while it makes ya a little numb. Give me a week or two.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune-
Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

Health & Nutrition by Judith Sheldon

FALL SEASON ALLERGIES: The following tips could help avoid or minimize the miseries of fall allergies:

Rain can wash pollen out of the air, and keep it pollen free for several hours. However, if your allergy involves molds, this is not a good time to be outdoors since molds thrive in damp conditions.

Most pollens are carried by the wind. If you have pollen allergies, avoid outdoor activities or exercising on windy days.

Create a Sneeze-Free Zone by putting plants in your garden that are pollinated by insects instead of those that rely on the wind for pollination. Remember that the brighter the plant, the more likely it is to be pollinated by insects.

When you’re outside, especially on windy days, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen. Also, when gardening or doing yardwork, wear gloves and never, ever touch your eyes! It’s also a good idea to wear a particle mask to filter pollens, molds and other allergens from the air, especially if you’re moving the lawn or raking leaves.

Keep doors and windows closed on windy days. Use an air conditioner to purify the air, and be sure to clean your air conditioners, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers often to avoid mold growth.