Parks and Recreation Director Alan Bull reported to the City Council Tuesday night at the bi-monthly Council meeting that the revenue for the Carthage Municipal Golf Course for the month of June was $82,000.

"I averaged the revenue for 1999, 2000, and 2001, and June was 55% better than the average of those three years," said Bull.

City Administrator Tom Short reported that a letter was received from MoDot Monday stating that Carthage should be receiving the new stationwagon taxi within the next 14 days. As an 80/20 grant, the City will be paying for $3,500 of the new taxi.

Police Chief Dennis Veach informed the Council and Mayor that Augustine Sanchez will be starting as a new police officer Wednesday. With the addition of one police officer, the loss of another comes. Tim Frazier, who has been with CPD for three years, will be starting with the Joplin Police Department in a couple of weeks.

The Fire Department is looking for a new part-time bus driver. Qualifications include a CDL drivers license with a 40-passenger rating.

NASCAR to the Max

Last Saturday’s running of the Pepsi 400 from Daytona (FL) International Speedway lived up to the expectations NASCAR has in mind when it implements rules designed to equalize all of the different car makes. NASCAR requires the cars to run a restrictor plate between the carburetor and intake manifold to limit air flow into the motor thereby slowing the cars in the interest of fan and driver safety.

The restrictor plates cause the cars to run in a tightly bunched pack that often leads to a multi-car pileup. NASCAR has implemented various strategies over the years to keep the cars from running in such close quarters. Last year NASCAR reduced the size of the fuel tank to necessitate more pit stops hoping that would spread the field and make pit strategy and fuel mileage a bigger factor.

When a mid-race caution flag allowed the field to pit for fuel and tires, rookie Greg Biffle elected to pit twice to top his tank and hopefully complete the race on one additional fuel stop.

The frontrunners electing to maintain track position, stayed on the track and hoped another caution period would develop otherwise they would be required to stop twice under race conditions.

Biffle’s plans panned out and he inherited the lead with twenty laps remaining while the leaders pitted for fuel. Biffle’s crew knew their shot at winning relied on the race being completed without any cautions and on Biffle being able to conserve fuel. 2000 Champion Bobby Labonte appeared to have a car that could challenge Biffle but on the last lap, Labonte’s car slowed, it too out of fuel, allowing Biffle to take his first career Winston Cup victory.

2003 marks the fifth consecutive year a rookie has won a race.

This Sunday’s race will take place at Chicagoland Speedway just outside Chicago, IL. The track is a 1.5-mile tri-oval with 18 degrees of banking through the turns. Kevin Harvick has won both races that have been contested at the facility and will be a favorite among the 43 starters to continue the streak.

I’ve been to my share of county fairs, but I’ve yet to see a goat ropin’.

For the most part, I’m not around animals of any size these days. Growin’ up, I had occasion to be around chickens, pigs, horses and cows from time to time while workin’ on various farms. ‘Cept for that horse that put a horseshoe shaped bruise on my thigh, it was overall an enjoyable experience.

The Jasper County Youth Fair is similar to those I went to as a kid. Lots a animals, kids and proud parents. Not all the razzle dazzle carnival atmosphere, but down to earth exhibits and judgin’ of accomplishments. Folks willin’ to put their best efforts up for inspection.

If ya don’t necessarily have the urge to move to the farm, ya still might enjoy the energy and pride the fair represents.

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 live in Los Angeles. I have a ‘93 Honda Civic Del Sol with 127,000 miles. Last week when I was driving home from work at 75 mph on the southbound 405 freeway, someone in a passing car on my left or someone in an oncoming car fired a shotgun. The bullet, a .40-caliber, went through the door and hit me in the chest, then ricocheted and fell onto my seat. I suffered no injuries. The Special Investigative Unit is now handling the incident. My question is, what is the cost of fixing the bullet hole in the door of this car? How easy is it to do, and is it worth it? What kind of financial impact does it pose to the value of my car if I want to sell it or trade it in? — Ellen

TOM: Fix it?? Are you nuts, Ellen?? A bullet pierces that car, hits you on the chest and bounces off! You walk away, completely unharmed! That car gave its own sheet metal to save your life. How could you even think of fixing it?

RAY: Plus, on a more practical level, you’ll be a guy magnet with this story, Ellen. Imagine what happens when some guy asks about the bullet hole. You tell him about being shot at, and how the car saved your life. You’ll be a celebrity down at the local tavern in no time.

TOM: Most of all, it’s a reminder of what could have happened. Every time you get in your car, you’ll be forced to remember that you almost didn’t make it home that day. It’s a reminder that every day is precious and you have to live life to the fullest. So I wouldn’t even dream of fixing it, Ellen.

RAY: And since the value of the car is a concern, I’d guess the car is worth about four grand if you fix the hole, Ellen. And $4,100 if you don’t.