City Financially Strong.

The following is an exerpt from the City of Carthage Annual Audit.

"The management’s discussion and analysis of the City of Carthage, Missouri’s financial performance provides an overview of the City’s financial activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. Please read it in conjunction with the City’s financial statements, which begin on page 14.

Financial Highlights

• The net assets of the City’s governmental activities increased by $187,629 as a result of current year activities.

• The assets of the City exceeded its liabilities as of June 30, 2009, by $21.7 million (net assets). Of this amount $6,012,412 was unrestricted and may be used to meet future obligations of the City.

• Total long-term liabilities of the City decreased by $344,373.

• Overall revenues were down over 12% from the previous fiscal year. Interest earnings, grant revenues and sales tax were the areas with the most significant decline. Even so, the City remained fiscally strong due to conservative budgeting."

Sometimes an asset can quickly become a liability.

I can remember the adventure of bein’ able to ride my bicycle out in country as a kid. Part of the fun was seein’ how many miles could be traveled in an afternoon. On one of those five mile or so trips, a tire went flat. Then I realized both tires were flat. All the sudden that wonderful machine became a real burden. Thinkin’ I couldn’t show up at home without the bike, and knowin’ I couldn’t ride on a the flat, I pushed.

Now walkin’ a bike on pavement with the tires inflated is fairly effortless, but pushin’ two flats on a gravel country road becomes a chore after a couple a miles. I’ve learned to carry patches and an air pump.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Prepping for Spring

DEAR HAMMER: Hope you’ll print my tip. Over the winter, I save some of the cold ashes from my fireplace -- enough to fill a legal paper-size plastic storage box. (Make sure the ashes are completely cold before removing from the fireplace. You should be able to put your hand in them and not feel any heat.) That’s plenty enough for my size yard.

Putting too many ashes in the compost can cause problems with the compost’s pH balance, so I keep them separated. Come spring, once the flowers and shrubs have bloomed, I sprinkle a thin layer over the soil around the plants (being careful not to let the ashes touch the stems). This little bit of ash provides extra nutrients for the roots, and seems to keep slugs away, too. - Harry B. in Little Rock, Ark.

DEAR HARRY: Thanks for the tip! This reminder that spring really is around the corner is pretty timely, as homeowners should be getting their outdoor tools and furniture ready for the warm season. It’s been a tough, cold winter across the U.S., but believe it or not, it’s ending soon.

Now is the time to get that lawnmower fixed and sharpen the blades of cutting tools. Put a fresh coat of all-purpose oil on the metal parts of garden tools and make sure hinges and other moving parts move smoothly. Check wooden and plastic handles for damage and repair or replace them.

In late February, if your part of the country does not have snow on the ground, you can start de-thatching and seeding bare spots in the yard. Leave shrubs tied up or covered until all danger of a hard frost is past.

Outdoor furniture and grills should be opened up, checked for damage, cleaned and made ready for spring. If your grill sat on the deck outside all winter, take the cover off and check for rust, pooled moisture or damage from debris strikes.