Today's Feature

Public Works Approves Banners.

The Public Works Committee met Tuesday afternoon to hear a presentation from Seth Putnam, who was representing his troop of Eagle Scouts. The presentation was to ask approval for the hanging of banners from the 6 light poles on the circumference of the roundabout; an idea that was initiated by the Scout troop.

Putnam told the Committee that he had contacted the Missouri Department of Transportation for their approval of the banner content and hardware for hanging. MODOT was favorable, but asked for contact information for the person responsible for installation and maintenance. Putnam suggested having an employee from Carthage Water and Electric hang the banners, as they hang the Christmas decorations.

A motion was approved by the committee to forward the item to City Council at the meeting on the 14th with the understanding that the Scout troop will obtain approval from Carthage Water and Electric and forward contact information to MODOT. The measurements of the banners as proposed are 30" by 60".

In the small town I grew up in it was always a treat when someone’s cousin came to stay for a week or so for the holidays or durin’ the summer.

It was new blood for the local group and it gave us a chance to try out some of the jokes we’d pulled on each other for so long they lost their zip.

‘Course some of the distant relatives didn’t think our humor was too funny. Others joined in the fun and were soon showin’ us a few of their own. Over time, some became one of the gang for a couple weeks of the year.

I always looked forward to goin’ to the city to visit my cousins. Brick streets and sidewalks that stretched clear across town. And I always brought back a new practical joke or two myself.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Click & Clack Talk Cars

By Tom and Ray Magliozz

Dear Tom and Ray:

I know you guys don’t like big SUV’s, so you’ll be glad to hear that we are downsizing from an SUV to a wagon. We are having trouble finding a wagon we like. We want something sporty, with some power. Consumer Reports recommends the Volvo wagon only. It is neither sporty nor powerful, and it looks like a box on four wheels. We haven’t driven the Mercedes wagon yet, but it is low on horsepower and high on price. What do you recommend? - Tom

RAY: What’s with the power obsession, Tom? You know, there are other ways to combat hair loss - minoxidil, for example.

TOM: If you don’t like the looks of the Volvo, that’s fine. But the V70 wagon has four optional engines, ranging from 168 to 300 horsepower. What’s not powerful about that?

RAY: Fortunately, for recovering SUV drivers, there are lots of great wagons and sport wagons on the road now. But if the Volvo is too boring-looking for you and the Mercedes is too expensive, you’re a perfect candidate for a Dodge Magnum - If you can convince your wife to be seen in it.

TOM: Yeah. It does tend to drip testosterone, if you know what I mean. Especially the red ones. So, show her a nice, subdued silver one.

RAY: But it’s a pretty nice car. It’s got a chassis based on the previous generation Mercedes E-class.

TOM: Reliability is unknown, so we can’t give you any assurance, but the price is right. With all-wheel drive and a 250 horsepower V-6 engine the Magnum starts at about 28 grand. I think you’ll find it’s everything you need.