Today's Feature
City Truck Purchase Postponed.

The City Council Public Works Committee met Tuesday afternoon and discussed dumptruck bids. Street Commissioner Tom Shelley spoke extensively about the complications of switching from one dumptruck to another, a compatibility issue involving the connection of the spreader. The bids were reviewed, but no recommendation was made. Shelley and the Committee decided to wait before taking any action in order to avoid having one dumptruck absent while waiting for another during the season in which the Street Department depends on the dumptrucks for the purpose of clearing snow. The Committee decided to research it further and discuss it at the next meeting.

Public Works Director Chad Wampler spoke about the hanging of banners around the roundabout, saying that Carthage Water and Electric has approved the plan and want to oversee the initial hanging of the banners. Eagle Scout Seth Putnam, who originated the banner idea, will coordinate a time with CW&EP for the hanging. Putnam’s accumulation of hours in the project are required for obtaining a scout badge.

I can still hear my dad yellin’ for me to stop as I ran toward a road with a car comin’ around the corner. By doin’ nothin’, standin’ still, the car passed without incident.

‘Course the other side of the coin comes with the old sayin’ that "we’ve gotta do somethin’, even if it’s wrong."

With engine trouble in our boat in the middle of the lake, there weren’t many choices. We all grabbed paddles and skis and began to try to beat the wind blowin’ from shore. Although there was plenty of splashin’, we weren’t makin’ any headway. Fortunately another boater saw we were in trouble and came to tow us in. If we had sit and done nothin’, we’da landed miles from camp. Sometimes nothin’ is better, or not.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

By Tom and Ray Magliozz

Dear Tom and Ray: We recently had some major floods here, and several people were trapped and died in their cars. I’m guessing the electric windows were not functioning and the water pressure kept the doors from opening. If you do find yourself trapped in a car that’s underwater or going to be underwater, what’s the best out? - Bill

TOM: Well, if you weren’t forward-thinking enough to order the optional factory-installed snorkel, the best way to get out its through a window. Once the doors are submerged, the water pressure makes it nearly impossible to push the door open - as you pointed out, Bill.

RAY: If you have old-style, roll down windows, it’s no problem. But if you have electric windows, you have to act quickly. Many cars allow electric windows to operate for a minute or so after the car has been turned off, so as soon as you find yourself in a situation like that, you want to get a window open. Or open a sunroof.

TOM: It’s counterintuitive. But if there’s any chance you’re going to end up underwater, it’s the right thing to do.

RAY: Once you’re stuck and underwater, and your window won’t open there are still ways to get out. Some companies sell an emergency hammer that you keep in the glove box in order to break a window and escape. We’ve also seen a flashlight that doubles as a window breaking tool.

TOM: Without a usable tool, you’ll probably have more luck kicking out the windshield than one of the side windows. Of course, you could also just buy the car that’s designed to allow you to breathe underwater... the Scubaru.

RAY: That is truly awful. I formally disown you.