Skating Rink Contract.


The Public Service Committee held their regular meeting Monday evening in the Parks Department Office. A motion was approved to take the skating rink rental contract to City Council for approval.

"Maybe we should go another year," said Parks Director Alan Bull. "Let the people who have only been there for six months get their feet on the ground and deal with things before we do anything."

Bull stated the renters Chad and Pam Sturgeon are doing a great job. The Sturgeons have cleaned up the rink, paid rent, water and have the two million dollar insurance they are required to have.

Bull also mentioned that the Sturgeons plan to have more partings, in line skates, and possibly start a roller hockey league.

In staff reports Alan Bull announced that the golf course had been vandalized several times in the last six weeks. Bull informed that there was no vehicle involved and the damage was minor but consistent.

Bull also stated that the Carthage Police Department got involved in the case. Three arrests were made last Friday night at the golf course, all of them juveniles.

From what I understand, there has been little interest shown by citizens about the upcomin’ vote by the Council to change the way Council members are elected.

This can mean a couple of things, of course. One is that folks just don’t really care about the issue, or they don’t realize the change is on the table.

The jest of the issue is changin’ the representation from two Council members from each ward to havin’ one member from each ward and the other five elected by the entire community.

At the last Council meetin’ it appeared there were six for the change and four against. If you have an opinion and haven’t contacted Council members to express it, you can also go online at www.carthage-mo.gov and let City Hall know how ya feel.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Gifts for the Do-It-Yourselfer

Q: My dad likes to work around the house. He’s got plenty of tools, especially his table saw (which he loves), but I’d like to get him something really useful that I can afford. Any recommendations? — Tracy J., Huntsville, Ala.

A: I’ve got a few! But, they’re mostly the tools I’m wishing for this year, so I did a little research and found items from other wish lists that your dad might like. All of them are under $50, and are things that can improve any do-it-yourselfer’s toolkit.

Dewalt Heavy-Duty Palm-Grip Sander Kit: $49.95 at Home Depot. This 2-amp sander packs a lot of punch and is perfect to break out for quick sanding jobs.

Irwin Laser Line Generator: $39.97 at Home Depot. Laser levels are a hot item this year, allowing do-it-yourselfers to "get it straight" whether laying tile or hanging pictures. The Generator casts a line on any surface without leaving a mark, and leaves one hand free for other tasks.

Safety set: Want to create a unique gift that says you really care? Purchase safety goggles ($4-$10), protective gloves (solvent-resistant, around $5) and a set of masks, including latex and chemical facemasks or a respirator with a variety of filters for different chemicals. Having these basic safety items on hand could preserve your dad’s health.

Ryobi 7.2-Volt Cordless Drill: $31 at Home Depot. Nothing’s better during a DIY project than to reach for the tool you need and find it right at hand. Having a cordless drill that allows you to grab it and go is really convenient. That the Ryobi also includes a 28-piece drill-bit set is just icing on the cake.

Yellow Jacket 25-foot Worklight: $18.74 at Lowe’s. For the DIYer who works into the night, this powerful light is perfect. The 25-foot cord allows the light to stretch outside the garage, and the hexagonal cage with two hooks allows the user to direct the light where needed and attach it securely.

Quick-Grip Mini Bar Clamp: $18.99 at Ace. A convenient "helping hand" at the workbench, the Quick-Grip can hold objects in place with just a few squeezes of the custom handle, eliminating the time it takes to screw down a traditional clamp.

And while you’re at it, why not combine this gift with a set of standard metal clamps? Prices for most three-piece sets range from $8 to $20.