"Hopefully this trend will continue," said Short. "We’re above on general revenue, below on expenditures."

In other business the committee voted 2 to 1 to send a proposed Ordinance to Council for approval. The proposed Ordinance is to write off uncollectible accounts receivables that are 5 years old or older.

Short reported that the City will still pursue and keep a record of the debts.

"It will make the budget cleaner," said Short. "It is not to forget about the debts."

Committee Member Ronnie Wells stated he disagreed because he is concerned that they will be forgotten.

The Committee approved $7933 in Police grant money to be used towards the purchase of tazers (nonlethal immobilizing device.) The department currently has three, they plan to keep one, trade two and buy three new ones.

Walked out the back door the other day and saw prob’ly twenty or thirty red birds congregated in one of our bushes. Bein’s as how there were both male and female types, they musta been havin’ some sort of a social gatherin’ I suppose.

The birds are most likely a little confused by the recent weather patterns as much as us humans. Saw a flock of geese flyin’ north a couple a weeks ago. Winter must be over. (‘cept for that last blast that is sure ta come in February).

The squirrels have been speedin’ around like crazy too. Jumpin’ from branch to branch, up and down, ‘round and ‘round.

It’s hard ta imagine those folks livin’ in the big city, not gettin’ the advantage of watchin’ the ever’day animals we take for granted. ‘Course, they aren’t so cute when they start eatin’ from my strawberry patch.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

HERE’S A TIP

By JoAnn Derson

• "If you are serving a moist cake, preserve the outside pieces by securing a slice of bread to both cut surfaces with toothpicks. The cake will not dry out, meaning every slice is a winner!" — Ethel B. in Salt Lake City

• To remove soot from your carpet, sprinkle it with salt, let sit and then vacuum. Repeat as many times as necessary to remove all traces.

• Take the squeak out of wooden floors by sprinkling the squeaky area with talcum powder. It will work its way into the joint and lubricate the wood rubbing together.

• "My cats love chewing on grass, but they can’t go outside anymore. So, I brought nature inside to them. I planted a few small trays with grass seeds and lined them up along a wall where they get good sun. The cats love to chew on the grass and take a good stretch in the sun afterward." — Colleen in New Hampshire

• "My kids were always drawing on the walls (or trying to), so finally I gave up. I bought a bottle of that spray-on chalkboard paint. My husband outlined a large area along the hallway to the kids’ rooms, and we made it a long chalkboard. We nailed small cups every so often that hold chalk, and surrounded it with a wallpaper border. It really looks snazzy, and the kids confine their wall drawings to the hallway. In fact, it keeps them really occupied." — Arlene Y., via e-mail

• "To save water, and to always have a clean dishcloth, I throw it in the dishwasher when I clean the dishes. I just pin it to the top rack, and it gets cleaned and deodorized." — Mary B. in Webster Groves, Mo.