The City Council voted Tuesday evening to close City offices this Friday for the observance of a "National Day of Mourning" for the late President Regan.

The Council also heard a summation of the proposed City budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year from City Administrator Tom Short.

Short told the Council that City sales tax was up two percent this year from last and was six percent higher than was budgeted. He stated that the proposed budget would not cut services to the community.

Short also reported that the grant to replace sidewalks on the entire block on the west side of the square still included a "number of hoops that have to be jumped through." The grant is contingent upon private participation.

Council member Ronnie Wells was the lone member to vote against a policy change for Memorial Hall lease agreements. The Council voted 9-1 to require that a Carthage off-duty police officer be present at any gathering in the hall when alcohol was being served.

 

If you’ve wondered why your street got a little dusty for a few days, the sweeper lost one of its engines a few weeks back. Street Commissioner Tom Shelley reports that the machine is now back on duty. It was hoped that the contraption would last for another three years, but now appears to be set for trade in around 2006.

It looks like there may be a name change for the Over 60 Center. Council member Jim Woestman reported Tuesday that the organization is contemplating a name that emphasizes something other than age. He says that many avoid utilizing the programs available due to a preconceived notion of the organization.

There will be a 15th anniversary celebration for Precious Moments Chapel this Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

By Tom and Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

A friend of mine took her Saturn to a mechanic, as the car was running a bit rough and the road noise was loud. He examined the car and told her that the dealership had improperly installed directional tires on her car. Apparently, the tires are supposed to go one way, and when installed improperly, they are ruined. She spent close to $300 for new tires. When she told me the story, I laughed so hard that I had tears in my eyes, and I think I had gastric distress. Is there such a thing as directional tires, or is this a con? I mean, all tires are round, right? And what happens if you drive in reverse with directional tires – does that ruin them? Anyway, my friend and I have placed a high-stakes wager. Who is correct, me or my directionally challenged tire friend? – Joe

TOM: Well, I hope the stakes weren’t too high, Joe, because you lost, buddy. There certainly are directional tires.

RAY: Some higher-end performance tires are designed to perform best in one direction only. When you design a tire, if it has to be perfectly symmetrical and work equally well rolling both ways, you have to compromise when you set up the orientation of the grooves. On the other hand, if you know it’s only going to turn in one direction – and water and slush only have to be channeled in one direction – you can optimize it for that direction.

TOM: But as far as we know, installing a directional tire backward will not ruin it. Nor will it cause a car to run rough or handle dangerously. It simply won’t give you its optimal performance. On the Naughty Activity Scale, it rates just above removing the mattress tag that reads, "Do Not Remove." Most drivers wouldn’t even notice the difference during normal day-to-day driving.