Building Code Debate Narrrows.

The City Council Public Works Committee is scheduled to meet next Monday evening in City Hall at 6:30. Committee Chair Bill Fortune told the Council during it’s last meeting that the discussion concerning the updating of the Building Maintenance Code would be the main topic of the meeting.

Fortune also said that after allowing several meetings dealing with the code with considerable citizens participation, the meeting Monday will limit input to Committee members and staff. The meeting will be open to the public, but Fortune said the Committee will use the time to discuss the code update. A recommendation is expected to come from the meeting.

Since the updated codes were recommended by the Engineering Department last Fall, several rental property owners have attended meetings and expressed disappointment in the existing code and its enforcement. The main argument is that strict enforcement makes it financially difficult to operate a housing rental business.

Mayor Kenneth Johnson has stated that an internal review of procedure will take place to see if complaints are justified.

Neighborhood Meetings Scheduled.

The Carthage Police Department will host "Neighborhood Meetings," from 7-8 p.m. on Monday, February 26th at Columbian School, Macon & Regan streets, for residents from the southern half of the community (residents can attend either meetings). Another meeting will be held from 7-8 p.m. on Monday, March 12th at the Carthage Memorial Hall, 4th & Garrison Ave., for residents from the northern half of Carthage.

These informal meetings are presented so that the community can share with each other questions and concerns, and determine specific areas of need in which they may work toward resolving.

Senior staff members of the Carthage Police Department will be present and available for questions. All input, thoughts and ideas on keeping Carthage a beautiful and safe city are welcome.

MGE To Reduce Cost of
Gas Rate March 1st.

news release

The Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) yesterday approved Missouri Gas Energy’s request to decrease its "cost of gas" rate by 19 percent effective March 1, allowing the company to pass savings on to customers.

The "cost of gas", or PGA/COG, portion of a consumer bill is the cost MGE and other distribution companies pay to purchase gas on the open market, plus transportation and storage expenses. MGE does not benefit from the price of gas, only on its delivery.

The company is reducing its "cost of gas" rate to $0.79337 per 100 cubic feet (ccf) from $0.98161 per ccf.

"We’re pleased to be able to provide some relief from these unprecedented high prices," said Steve Cattron, President and Chief Operating Officer of MGE. "We’ll continue to pursue additional opportunities to lower our cost of gas rate as market and economic conditions permit."

In addition to lowering the cost of gas rate, MGE has worked over the last few months to help customers find energy assistance.

In January, MGE filed a plan with the MPSC to distribute nearly $1.3 million to the Mid America Assistance Coalition. That plan is still under review. Beginning last Fall, MGE modified its payment plans to be more flexible and continues to encourage customers to set up pay arrangements if they have difficulty managing their bills.

MGE filed its reduction request outside of the typical PGA/COG adjustment timetable to expedite relief to customers. Cost of gas rates are typically adjusted in April and November, with a third adjustment available in the winter if needed.

The Public Safety Committee heard of several different ways to sell liquor by the drink from Jim Anderson of the State Division of Liquor Control durin’ their meeting Monday. Another allowable license is for fraternal organizations. If they qualify as a nonprofit under federal regulations, the City doesn’t have much choice but to allow them either. There is just such a legal battle goin’ on in Miller at this time.

The Committee is also proposin’ an ordinance that would require any liquor outlet to be at least 300 feet from churches or schools, up from the current ordinance of 100 feet.

The only other option explored by the Committee is limitin’ the number of licenses issued. This is not bein’ recommended at this time, but is a possibility.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

UNCLE!! Okay, I’m tired of all this cold weather. The ice was beautiful with the sun shining on it this morning.....hope it was the final farewell of winter. As my friend says "winter is fighting with spring. One from the north and one from the south" presenting the worst of both sides. I agree.

Black elderberry has been a big boost for those who have had that awful chest flu and cold and sinus. It certainly seems to help people get over it with a minimal amount of discomfort. My customer/friend, Marion Baldwin, says it is what got him out of bed with pneumonia a couple years back. Maybe our ancestors who made elderberry wine knew a little more than we gave them credit for. I tend to think tried and true is appropriate in many cases of the folk usage of herbs.

Our old friend, echinacea, has turned up in many formulas where it may bolster the immune system. The problem is, many companies are sticking it in everyday formulas which is not the way that echinacea should be used. Stephen Horne, one of the world renowned experts on this indigenous herb, states that it should be used in a rotation method or even only when the first symptoms of flu or other illness is detected. Therefore, not on a daily basis, but hit it at max recommended amount when symptoms occur.