Contract Approvals Scheduled.

The City Council meets for its regular meeting this evening in City Hall at 7:30 p.m.

The agenda includes a scheduled vote to amend the budget and appropriate $7,000 from the Public Health Fund. The funds would be used to help pay for a new maintenance building at the City landfill/recycling center. The Council budgeted $50,000 but bids went over that figure by $7,000.

The Council is also scheduled to vote on Council bill 01-38 which would authorize a contract with Traffic Engineering Consultants, Inc. to provide a traffic impact study around the Myers Park area.

The Public Works Committee has recommended approval of Council bill 01-39 which would authorize an agreement with Blevins Asphalt for annual paving work. Blevins bid for approximately $60,000 in paving for the year was low by only about $100 under the bid from APAC.

The Council is also scheduled to hear the first reading of an agreement with Sprouls Construction in the amount of $90,080 for storm water piping along a portion of the east side of Grand Avenue near the Fairview Christian Church.

Letter to the Editor.

Opinions expressed reflect those of the writer
and not necessarily those of the Mornin' Mail.

Friend H.J.,

In defense of those who have served in war and peace, including yourself, I take issue with the following words from your Just Jake Talkin’ of Thursday, May 3, 2001 to wit: "there is a growing sentiment that the veterans could be better memorialized, etc..."

Just who constitutes the body of the "growing sentiment," and who are the self-proclaimed experts who claim to know what’s best for someone else? Apparently they can’t wait for the 16 million World War II Americans, men and women, and those who have served since then, to pass on out of the picture. As reported on network T.V. on May 4th by former Senator Bob Dole, "they’re dying now at the rate of 1,200 per day."

With that background, H.J., for a moment let’s consider a "Forward to the Future" story line, not a "Back to the Future" story line.

Many of us have survived, but lost, the Battle of Myers Airport, but we are proud that certain landowners there are making an effort to retain and preserve the historic former Carthage stone entrance to that icon of Carthage heritage.

Now it appears the next erasure from historic Carthage will be the Memorial Hall and what it has represented over the years, including times of compassion, patriotism, camaraderie and community.

In my "Forward to the Future" reverie, say in the year 2051, will the Carthage Civil War Museum, the Jasper County Courthouse, the Carnegie Library and its parklike grounds be on the "hit list" for the wrecking balls and the bulldozers?

Other beloved icons should not be forgotten, those such as the Eugene Field and Hawthorne neighborhood schools already done away with. Will the Mark Twain Elementary School likewise suffer a demise that will put to sleep such lovable and respected influences as Samuel Clemons, Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn, and the white-washed picket fence of another delightful Missouri community?

I don’t know exactly where I’m going with this, but I’m concerned and I consider my typewriter a good friend. Eventually, as our society continues to deteriorate at the hands of "who cares"- "we don’t need it"- "tear it down" believers, even our churches, now so much loved and supported by the remnants of a caring generation or two might also disappear in favor of freeing up more space for questionable uses.

Everything, in one form or another, in my way of thinking, has always been here (dirt, stone, water, trees, minerals, for instance) giving credence to the observation that the Supreme Being pretty well laid out His plan for man to be here a reasonable length of time, but certainly not long enough for man to consider himself capable of putting himself above God and His power.

Again, considering "Forward to the Future" would it not be possible in 2051 to foresee high rise apartment buildings on land presently known as Central Park, or retirement condominiums crowded together on the site of today’s Carthage Municipal Golf Course?

On this entire matter of self-appointed guardians, surely there is a common ground whereby change and preservation can meet, discuss and resolve.

I have the idea that perhaps this series of thoughts can be a "wake up call" for caring people to be alert to the mysterious body of "growing sentiment" that in reality might be some who truly believe they know what’s best for someone else.

Given that I am a longtime reader of the Mornin’ Mail, but seldom upset by what I read I trust this expression is one of good citizenship.

Respectfully submitted,

Dick Ferguson

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126

Over the years I have been asked if I have had any trouble catching on to how things are done in Jefferson City. One of the first things is to be able to understand the language that is spoken here. I will give you an example of the translation that is sometimes needed. Phrase; I am from the government and I am here to help you. Translation; Open up your wallet and give me everything in it.

This week we took up a bill that dealt with a variety of agricultural issues. One of the first amendments that was offered was to raise the fee that chemical manufacturers have to pay to license and sell a product in Missouri. These fees are then passed along to the farmers in the form of higher prices for the various products that we use for weed and pest control.

First of all, I don’t like the idea of higher fees or taxes on anything. I am next very suspicious of what the money is going to be used for. I asked the fellow that offered the amendment where the money would go. His response sent cold chills up and down my spine. He started out by talking about increased monitoring of ground water, went to increased educational programs for farmers on chemical use and was headed in the direction of ag advocacy when I asked if we could go into a little more detail on these spending plans.

The money will go into the Department of Agriculture who will then set up the programs and distribute the money. I have never yet seen a governmental agency that did not want to set up more rules and regulations when they get the chance. This is the easiest way they can justify hiring more employees and building their bureaucratic empire. There is no way I would ever support paying more in fees so that government can spend the money to set up programs to make it harder and more expensive for me to do business.

The sad thing is that the person pushing this claims to be a farmer himself. This is also the person that tried to push all the livestock buyers out of Missouri, and make it so that farmers couldn’t negotiate and write their own contracts with agribusiness corporations. His claim was that farmers weren’t smart enough to do it themselves. Oh to be as smart as a politician! Do we dare to dream?

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.

The local wildlife seems ta be on the move. I’m referrin’ to the animal version, not the teenagers.

We have a raccoon in our neighborhood. It was seen the other day movin’ it’s kids (don’t know the term for baby raccoons) down the street. Musta got an eviction notice.

A baby squirrel was also spotted that was lookin’ for a home. It was last seen huddlin’ down in the bushes.

Then there’s that opossum that seems to wander down the middle of the street from time to time.

I keep thinkin’ that zebra that’s on the loose will show up eventually. That would prob’ly foster some attention even in my neck of the woods.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune- Brooks Hospital

The Super Handyman

Heath & Nutrition by Judith Sheldon

UNDECLARED EPIDEMIC: Every year, millions of people deliberately expose themselves to the risk of developing melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer that is expected to strike some 34,000 people this year, and claim some 7,200 lives.

The tragedy lies in the fact that so many of these cancers could have been prevented, and that many of the people who died might have survived if their cancers had been caught early enough.

The American Academy of Dermatology calls skin cancer, "an undeclared epidemic." It is the most prevalent type of cancer in the country, yet its prevalence doesn’t seem to deter those who throw caution to the winds and submit themselves to the sun’s potentially dangerous rays.

The principal cause of skin cancers is overexposure to the sun. The risk is increased if the exposure results in sunburn and blistering. Other causes include repeated medical and industrial x-ray exposures, scarring from diseases or burns, occupational exposure to such hazards as coal and arsenic, and a family history of skin cancer. Prevention remains the best "remedy." If you must go out in the sun, avoid exposure to its harmful rays by covering up as much as possible and using sunscreens with a 15 SPF rating, at least.