Today's Feature

Nodler and Privatization Panel.

News release

Senator Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, on Dec. 14th presided over a conference call meeting of the Missouri General Assembly’s Subcomittee on Competition and Privatization and secured the adoption of the panel’s final report.

"Today represents the culmination of an incredible body of work expended by committee members, staff and private sector representatives," said committee chairman Sen. Nodler. "This collective effort is the catalyst that will spark an ongoing drive toward leaner, more responsive and more effective state programs and services."

Established by a senate resolution drafted and advanced in 2003’s legislative session by Sen. Nodler, the competition and privatization panel subcommittee sought ways to reduce static government costs while increasing the quality of state services; primarily through the utilization of private sector resources, and employing the tenets of competitive bidding.

"Most people would agree that many elements of state administration could be more efficiently carried out through increased participation from the private sector," said Sen. Nodler. "A heavier reliance in state government on the principles of competition and supply and demand will benefit those who pay for state services, and those who receive state services."

Among many findings, the panel suggests that:

• While state government does do some things better than the private sector, the private sector does many other things better than state government.

• While all states currently contract with the private sector to some degree, Michigan, Texas and other states serve as privatization models for Missouri to follow.

• Concise, agency-wide criteria, policies and procedures are needed for Missouri to effectively contract with the private sector.

• Establishing a permanent competition and review board overseeing both strategy and implementation is warranted.

• Transition time, personnel impact and quality control issues must be factored into gains projected to accrue through privatization.

The bipartisan committee of eight legislators and eight representatives from Missouri’s business community filed an initial report with the General Assembly in January of this year. A series of public hearing held around the state and numerous work sessions led to today’s adoption of the draft final report. Minor corrections and revisions identified during the adoption proceedings along with comments from panel members will be incorporated into a perfected final report, which will be submitted to lawmakers by or before Dec. 31.

"Our work as a panel may be largely complete, but our work as legislators has just begun as we look to incorporate the report’s sound recommendations into meaningful legislation," said Sen. Nodler, who is slated to enter the 2005 session as assistant majority floor leader. "Now is the time for us to put our words into action."

I was never around chickens much when I was growin’ up.

My brother helped kill and dress chickens at the farm place he was workin’ for as a teenager. He didn’t eat chicken with any enthusiasm for several years after that.

I’ve cleaned a few fish that I didn’t have any trouble eatin’. Guess it’s different if the creature has wings.

A friend a mine says he has an Oohah chicken. He says it lays square eggs. When it gets ready to lay it says "Oooh." Then after it lays it says "Aaahhh." I’ve never actually seen the foul myself.

My brother still likes eggs well enough. I’m sure crackin’ a shell isn’t near as traumatic. Myself I’m partial to the chicken leg and our dog seems to agree. ‘Course he never pulled one himself.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Natural Nutrition

By Mari An Willis

Another Christmas is almost here. With that brings the stress we put upon ourselves to keep up with all those sales and shopping that have become a "must" for this time of year. It is well known that this time of year there are many health issues both physical and mental because of this extended holiday period.

Presenting teas as a way to slow down and relax may be an option for aftershopping shock. Some current favorites for calming nerves are the ever popular chamomile, passion flower, and even kava stress tea. Just the ritual of brewing, smelling and drinking tea can be comforting. If you don’t have time to bake the bread to smell up the house, just simmer some nice spices on the stove, sit back with your tea and take a deep breath. ALL IS WELL.

Excess stress can also deplete L-Carnitine. This amino acid has been shown to effect the metabolism of fat in a most positive way, to raise the level of protective cholesterol and keep arteries clear, and recent studies suggest it may lower triglycerides and help lower blood pressure.

So sit back and take a minute to breathe. SMILE.

artCentral

Last week for artCentral’s "A Celebration of Life", Holiday Bazaar

Those who have visited the upstairs galleries at artCentral know that I have the nicest corner office in the Four-State Area. Glass windows along two walls provide fine, high views of this quiet Carthage neighborhood on 13th Street. With the surrounding tall stately trees still clothed in leaves, clear skies and warm sunshine coming in the windows as I write this… Egad! Panic Attack! Christmas Day is two weeks away!

Now here’s the ugly part: I am a Holiday Shopping Procrastinator! Yes, I am one of those who rush around last minute in a buying frenzy—list in one hand, credit card in the other—hoping I didn’t overlook anyone.

So I am sympathetic toward other procrastinators out there (You know who you are!) who promised themselves that they would stop by artCentral to see John Fitzgibbon’s show, "A Celebration of Life", or who hoped to check out the goodies in the Holiday Bazaar. Here’s a reminder: You have until Wednesday, December 22 at 5:00pm. Then the paintings from the exhibit and all the wonderful gift items will be removed. So be sure to come by artCentral located at 1110 East 13th Street while there’s still time!

I also have two "official announcements:" 1) artCentral will be closed December 24 until Wednesday, January 5, when we re-open. 2) artCentral will hold its Annual Meeting, open to all active members, on Wednesday, February 9, at noon at artCentral. Since lunch is included, please RSVP 358-4404.

OK, now where’s my list…..