Another Lodging Tax Proposal.

The Victorian Carthage Board of Directors submitted their proposal as to how Lodging Tax funds should be spent during the Lodging Tax Committee’s Tuesday Morning meeting. The Chamber of Commerce submitted it’s proposal at the last meeting.

The Victorian Carthage board stated that "We feel strongly that all the entities are doing an outstanding job of promoting Carthage and should be given a share of the available funding to continue their current Work."

The Lodging Tax is expected to generate approximately $120,000 this year.

"We would like to see the lodging tax money divided among the four entities that currently receive funding," said the document, "including the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce, Victorian Carthage, Main Street Carthage and Historic Preservation. Each entity would receive a percentage of the money to use as they see fit to promote tourism of the Carthage area as long as they abide by established guidelines."

Under the proposal the Chamber would receive 65% of the funding equivalent to $78,000, Victorian Carthage $19,200 (16%), Main Street Carthage $19,200 (16%) and Historic Preservation $3,600 (3%). This is a rough equivalent to the way the funds were distributed for this year.

According to the proposal this method of distribution would serve several purposes:

"1. It will save the City time and man-hours by having a set formula for distribution of money each year. Each entity would be required to submit a budget and copies of invoices each year showing their usage of the lodging tax money.

2. It will allow all organizations currently receiving funding to continue to provide the services they now offer as well as expand their activities.

3. It will provide more tourism opportunities with all the entities working together toward common goals.

4. It will generate a greater effort by all entities to promote tourism, as they will know their organization’s share of funding depends on their promotion of the Carthage area."

Nascar to the Max

This week the Nascar tour is off to one of their most famous short tracks, Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. The track is a 1/2 mile high banked oval. The race has been likened to putting 43 race cars in a cereal bowl and having them race for 500 laps. The action is always fast and furious and the victor is usually determined by who has the most fenders on their car at the end of the 500 laps. A few of the contenders favored to win this year’s race include Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Rusty Wallace. Long shots include Terry "Hasn’t led a lap all year" Labonte and John Andretti. Most likely to miss the show; Kyle Petty and Stacy Compton.

Dodge is back in the winners circle after almost 25 years with Sterling Marlin’s win in this past weekends rain shortened Pepsi 400 in Michigan. The last Dodge winner was the late Neil Bonnett in 1977 and Dodge hasn’t fielded a factory team since 1979. To win in their first year back is quite a feat but not completely unexpected. Nascar is known for it’s frequent rule changes that attempt to keep all makes on a level playing field and the latest rule change allowed Dodge 2 additional inches of front spoiler. This created more front downforce and allows the cars to handle better through the corners. The Dodges ran well two weeks ago at Indianapolis when the rule first took effect and Marlin led there late in the race. Michigan was a better test of the rules package with its true oval layout allowing the cars to run full throttle more consistently.

Though suspected for some time, it has now been confirmed that Mike Skinner will be free to pursue other career opportunities at years end, if not sooner. The likely replacement is Robby "Crash" Gordon who filled in while Mike was recuperating from injuries suffered earlier in the year. If Robby actually does get the job, team owner Richard Childress better hire several good fabricators as Robby continues to live up to his nickname.

The Lodgin’ Tax Committee has now had proposals submitted from Main Street, the Chamber, and Victorian Carthage. Carthage Historic Preservation seems to have indicated the Chamber’s proposal would do fine. The Main Street Carthage proposal outlined many of the Chambers recommendations early on, but the Chamber went into greater detail as to how the single lodgin’ tax authority would operate. The Chamber also is proposin’ throwin’ in twenty some thousand of their own dollars.

Not enough options? The Committee has voted to get a $1,600 opinion from a marketing consultant. The Council will have to determine if the expense is necessary and where the money will come from to pay for it. A $5,000 marketing plan may be next.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

by Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

I am involved in bird research during the spring and summer in western Oregon that has several times left me in the middle of nowhere with a car problem (usually a flat tire). I drive over extremely crummy roads and am often 20-plus miles away from the nearest town (or two people as the case may be). What would you guys suggest as the catch-all tool-kit/emergency-repair stuff that I need to take with me? A first-aid kit for the car, you might say. I don’t want to carry 6 tons of equipment, but I want the stuff to fix small problems on my own. What should I have and know how to use in case of a breakdown? -Jenny

RAY: A cellular phone.

TOM: But in case you’re really out in the boondocks where a cell phone doesn’t work (or you run your battery down from talking to the Psychic Friends Network), I’d also pack the following:

RAY: An inflated spare tire. And make sure your lug nuts aren’t rusted tight by loosening and tightening them back up every six months or so.

TOM: I’d also carry a can of that "Fix-a-Flat" type of stuff. That’s the goop in a can that will fix a small puncture hole in your tire and inflate it, at least temporarily.

RAY: I’d also bring a roll of duct tape. It’s good for lots of things, like when parts fall off, when a hose breaks and you need to temporarily patch it up, or when you’re tired of listening to a particularly verbose in-law.

TOM: I’d also carry one of those plastic, temporary replacement belts that can be adjusted to any size by adding or removing links. That’ll help if a belt breaks. Then I’d throw in two screwdrivers (one of each kind), and a pair of Vise Grips,and call it a day.