Today's Feature
Kellogg
Lake Planning.
The Kellogg Lake Planning
Committee is scheduled to meet in City Hall this
evening at 7 p.m. Several area State
representatives have been invited to attend.
The agenda includes a
discussion of the Walnut Bottoms, possible
wetlands, and a general discussion of the Kellogg
Lake area.
Public interest in the
development and maintenance of the Kellogg Lake
area has been growing and over twenty interested
parties attended the last Committee meeting.
The ordinance passed last week
by the Council that bans the possession of
alcoholic beverages in glass containers was
partially driven by the problem of glass ending
up in Kellogg Lake and the surrounding area.
Annual Asphalt Bids.
The Public Works Committee is scheduled to review
bids for asphalt paving for the upcoming year
during the regular Committee meeting today at 4
p.m in City Hall.
The bids typically include the
paving of several hundred feet of streets in the
City and the purchase price of asphalt to be used
by the City Street Department.
Commentary
Martin
"Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126
We have reached
the halfway point of the 2001 Session of the
Legislature. We start Spring Break this week, so
if you need to get in touch with me this week, it
will be best to catch me at home.
All in all, it has been a
fairly uneventful Session so far. I think a lot
of that can be attributed to the results of the
special election in the 18th Senatorial district.
That was the Senate seat vacated when Joe Maxwell
was elected Lt. Governor. All the
‘experts’ expected that seat to be won
by the democrat candidate. Even though that area
has always been very conservative, it has always
elected democrats. This time the issues took
center stage. It was correctly pointed out the
democrat candidate did not support gun
owner’s rights and was very pro choice,
while the republican was pro life and was a
supporter of the second amendment.
There is little argument those
two issues were the defining theme of the
election. There is nothing like an upset election
to get everyone’s attention. It is very
common for rural democrat legislators to claim to
wear the conservative mantle and then vote
against their district in order to toe the party
line and stay in good with the democrat
leadership. Much of that has changed this year.
Many rural democrats are watching their votes
closer.
The new attitude has even
reached the top levels of government. Gov. Bob
Holden put off making his first State of the
State Address until after the special elections
were over. By his office’s own admission, he
scaled back or eliminated several proposals he
had planned on making. He has even expressed a
willingness to discuss a proposal to allow
conceal and carry. He had been adamantly opposed
to this proposal, but again, rural democrats are
putting pressure on him to consider it since the
people in those districts voted overwhelmingly in
favor of it. It was killed by the votes of the
people of Kansas City and St. Louis in the
general election two years ago.
I have always believed the best
form of lobbying comes from the voters, not the
highly paid suits walking the halls of
government. I think some of the new attitudes we
are seeing lends some credibility to that theory.
We will be resuming Session on
March 26 and will go until our usual adjournment
of mid-May. It will be interesting to see if the
new attitudes continue as it gets to crunch time
late in the Session.
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.
Red,
White & Boom 2001
In Full Swing.
news release
Plans for Carthage’s 2001
July 4th Celebration are in its’ final
stages.
This event is fast becoming the
largest Celebration of its’ kind in
Southwest Missouri and last year was voted as the
best fire works display in the four state area.
Entertainment this year will be
centered around talents of persons within our
community.
"Festivals are traditional
means for communities to celebrate the qualities
that make them special. We have many things
within our community that make us special and
this will provide us the chance to show off what
we have right here among us. Our community is
filled with much talent, " noted Red, White
and Boom chairman, Gloria Lawrence.
Other members of the steering
committee include Jackie Boyer, Alan Bull, Steve
Leibbrand, Mike McPherson, and Tom Short.
While they participate in
activities that will be both enjoyable and
memorable, those attending this year’s Red,
White and Boom Celebration will share in the true
meaning of this day.
The day will open with a salute
to area Veterans. Along with a memorial flag
ceremony, a breakfast is being planned to honor
all area veterans.
The event is planned for all
persons of all ages. Through out the day persons
will have the opportunity to participate in
several family-orientated games and activities.
Persons can enjoy a variety of
great food and listen to great entertainment.
Business and organizational booths will allow
persons to sample the wares and works of area
persons.
A 5-K run will be conducted
during the morning hours as well as a golf
tournament. The day will conclude with the
largest fire works display in Southwest Missouri.
"Last year’s event
was a huge success and because of its popularity
few changes have been made. More games and
entertainment have been added that will enhance
the family atmosphere. Several additional food
concessions and vendors of all kinds are
anticipated."
There is no admission charge to
enter the park. All entertainment and the fire
works display is free to the public.
Persons who would like to
provide entertainment for Red, White and Boom may
contact Mrs. Lawrence at 417-358-9567 for an
application. All types of entertainment will be
considered; vocalists, bands, clowns, magicians,
dancers, etc.
Individuals, businesses, and
organizations who are interested in booth spaces
may contact Victorian Carthage at 417-358-0636.
Income & Property Tax
Help Available.
news release
In an effort to become more
accessible to Missouri taxpayers, the Division of
Taxation is providing Missouri income tax and
property tax credit assistance in Carthage every
Tuesday at the Over 60 Center, until April 1st.
Taxpayers will be seen on a
"first come - first served basis;"
appointments are not accepted.
If you have any questions about
obtaining assistance, you may contact the Joplin
Tax Assistance Center at 416-629-3473.
For Missouri income tax
assistance you must bring along:
• Your completed federal
income tax return.
• W2’s or any other
document verifying Missouri withholding.
• Social Security number
verification (Driver’s license, social
security card, etc.)
To qualify for the Property Tax
Credit, your total household income must be
$25,000 or less if you are single; $27,000 if you
are married and you must meet one of the
following requirements:
• You or your spouse were
65 or older as of December 31, 2000, and were a
resident for the entire 2000 year.
• You or your spouse are a
service connected 100% disabled veteran.
• You or your spouse are
100% disabled.
• You were 60 years of age
or older as of December 31, 2000, and receive
surviving spouse social security benefits.
For Property Tax Credit
assistance you must bring:
• Social Security number
verification (Driver’s license, social
security card, etc.)
• If 100% service
connected disabled veteran you must bring a copy
of the letter received from the Department of
Veteran Affairs that states your qualification as
a 100% service connected disabled veteran.
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