$355,000 In Proposed Budget Cuts.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on $355,000 in proposed budget cuts during tomorrow evening’s regular 7:30 Council meeting in City Hall.

The proposal recommended by the Budget/Ways and Means Committee would eliminate the scheduled improvements to the Fairview/Garrison intersection. The Council approved $175,000 for the project last June. The budget for sidewalk improvement, where the City pays $2.50 a square foot of sidewalk repairs and replacement by property owners would be cut by $10,000. The new construction incentive that helps pay for new curb and guttering would be cut in half if the proposal passes the full Council.

A report on the status of the Memorial Hall renovation project is expected. The City matched a 50/50 grant from the Missouri Veterans Commission and appropriated approximately $600,000 in city funds for the project last year.

The Council is also scheduled to vote on resolution number 1471 concerning the annexation of property lying adjacent and southeast of intersection of Chapel Road and HH Highway as requested by R. L. Hicks.

Durin’ the last Budget Committee meetin’, the idea of the City pullin’ more money from CW&EP was raised (again). The Committee has scheduled a meet with CW&EP representatives for its next meeting in September to discuss the matter.

The City now gets just over a million dollars of your, er, its money from your utility bill. Approximately 7% of your electric bill goes to the City. Since this is a return on investment to the City rather than a tax, it can be adjusted at will by the City.

If the City demands a larger percentage, CW&EP will likely have ta ask for a rate increase to cover the cost. Just so happens the Council has the authority to approve rates charged by CW&EP and payed by you, the taxpayer. But it’s not a tax, just a cost of doin’ business.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Q: When we bought our house, there were water stains on the inside cedar walls around the doors. The prior owners said that snow must have built up outside and seeped in to stain the walls. What can we do to get the water stains off of the cedar walls? — Patricia H., via e-mail

A: Water damage from any source can cause serious problems in a home, so before concentrating on just the interior walls, check all areas of the house for other water damage.

That said, I can note that cedar walls often have unique characteristics, particularly in humid areas. The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (www.wrcla.org) explains that "extractive bleeding," where natural pigments in the wood are pulled out — usually by moisture — to create sometimes-unsightly stains, is a common problem. The moisture doesn’t have to be snowmelt, either. High humidity and extraction caused by water-based paints or stains can also be culprits.

Outdoor cedar siding often shows this type of streaking and staining after a season in the rain or snow, but this is considered part of the weathering process. However, most folks don’t want their interior panels to weather in the same way.

The first thing to do is end the source of moisture. If the pattern of stains clearly shows that water is seeping around the door and window frames, use an exterior silicone sealant to stop water from entering. Damaged and warped frames must be replaced. Also, look into ways to stop snow from reaching that side of the house.

Interior cedar is often protected from moisture by a coat of clear varnish.

If the moisture stains exist despite this coat, then the water entered from the other side of the paneling, which was unprotected. The only solutions in this case are to end the moisture problem and paint the walls, or to replace the stained wood with new cedar paneling that has been preconditioned against moisture.

Repairing unvarnished paneling can be a chore. If the wood is not rotting, warped or softened, you may be able to remove the stains by washing with a solution of 1 cup household bleach, 1 cup trisodium phosphate, and 1 gallon of warm water. Wear protective gloves and goggles when using this mixture; use a nonmetallic bristle brush to scrub the wood.