Commission Decision Upheld.

The Carthage City Council voted Tuesday evening against overturning a decision by the Planning, Zoning, and Historic Commission. The Commission had denied a request for a Special Use Permit for a day care center located at 1324 S. Garrison. Under City Code, any such denial is permitted to be appealed before the full Council. Council members Newport, Fortune, Whitledge, Woestman, and Stearnes voted to support the Commission’s decision. Members Tobrock, Wells, Boyer and Putnam voted against. Member McPheeters was absent.

In other business Budget Committee Chair Jackie Boyer explained to the Council why the Budget Committee was recommending $355,000 in spending cuts from the budget approved by that Committee in June.

During the budget process, approximately $210,000 appropriated last year for the Memorial Hall renovation was not accounted for in the new fiscal year that began in July, making the Committee believe they had that additional amount available to spend. In addition last year’s ending balance for the general fund was approximately $150,000 less than originally estimated.

NASCAR to the Max

Sunday’s running of the Sirius Satellite Radio at the Glen from Watkins Glen, NY saw Tony Stewart rebound from a tumultuous week to claim his third win of the season.

Watkins Glen International Raceway is a nine-turn 2.45-mile road course that allows very few opportunities to pass.

Stewart who has a history of heated confrontations both on and off the track was accused of punching a photographer following the previous weeks race in Indianapolis. Upon reviewing the situation, NASCAR levied a fine against Stewart of $10,000 and placed him on probation for the remainder of the season. Stewart’s primary sponsor, Home Depot, growing tired of Stewart’s antics, levied an additional fine of $50,000 and also placed him on probation. Stewart admitted after his sponsor’s announcement that he had been afraid that he would be relieved of his driving duties. Stewart spent a portion of last season on probation and has begun attending anger management classes.

Kurt Busch and Jimmy Spencer’s visit with NASCAR officials regarding their on-track altercation the previous week left both drivers saying there were no hard feelings and what happened previously was old news. Spencer failed to qualify for the race so fans will have to wait until this week to see if indeed both drivers have put the event behind them.

This week’s race will be the second of two races at the Michigan International Speedway. The 2-mile, D-shaped oval has fairly steep banking through the turns and is one of the widest tracks on the circuit. These factors combine to make MIS one of the series’ fastest tracks. The width of the track offers several lanes of racing with ample room to pass that usually leads to very few caution periods.

Long periods of green flag racing favors the multi-car teams that are able to focus on fuel and pit strategy. Matt Kenseth won here earlier this season with Sterling Marlin claiming this race last year. If Marlin is to maintain his series’ point lead he will need to overcome his recent poor finishes and outrun the other 42 starters.

Don’t ya just hate ta break a twenty dollar bill? Ya carry it around for days, then as soon as ya buy a pack a gum and break the twenty into change, it disappears.

The City Council Budget Committee is recommendin’ that the Council break into the funds earmarked for Civil War Road improvements to help bring what’s left of the budget into balance. Also bein’ cut is the improvements to the traffic signals at Fairview and Garrison. Incentive funds for new housing development curb and gutters is cut in half along with the sidewalk improvement incentive. So while you’re stuck tryin’ to make a left turn onto Garrison, or trippin’ over cracks in the sidewalks, and wonderin’ why no new housing is in the works, appreciate the value of citizen sacrifice and anticipate another tax debate.

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 have a 1994 Jeep Cherokee with 115,000 miles. My problem is, the car has started to leak fluid from the transfer case. The seals were replaced twice in the last two months. Both times, the leak did stop for almost a week. When I talked to "Chuck" at the local Jeep dealer service department, he recommended that I buy a case of fluid and add it as needed, since the leak "isn't that bad" and "the car has a lot of miles on it." He says that's better than spending $1,500-$2,000 to fix it. I'm not blond, I have a Ph.D in nursing, and I get a little steamed when the mechanic talks to me like I have dead space in my head. Can you tell me if I'm getting good advice from Chuck? — Louise

RAY: Actually, I think Chuck is giving you pretty good advice. Since he works at a Jeep dealership, he knows something you don't — that the engine is probably going to blow on this Cherokee long before you've gotten your money's worth out of a transfer-case rebuild.

TOM: The only problem with this advice is that there's no easy way to check the fluid level in the transfer case. You have to crawl under the car to check it, which is not very convenient — especially in those nice, white nurse's uniforms.

RAY: Actually, you really have to get the car on a lift and remove the plug, so it's something you have to have done at a gas station or garage.

TOM: So before you implement the "Chuck Approach," you need to get an idea about how fast it's leaking. Have Chuck top it up for you, and then come back in a month and ask him to check it again. If it's all leaked out and the transfer case is ruined, then you'll know it was in the stars and you can have the repair done or look for another car.