Rockaway Beach Gambling Petition Certified for 2004 Ballot.

JEFFERSON CITY - Secretary of State Matt Blunt has announced that the Rockaway Beach initiative petition that would authorize floating gambling facilities on the White River in Rockaway Beach gathered enough valid signatures to be placed on the November ballot or at a special election called by the governor.

The sponsors of the petition delivered 188,425 petition signatures to Blunt’s office on Wednesday, March 3. Only 123,469 valid signatures were required by the constitution, and local election officials were responsible for validating all signatures that appear on the petition. Copies of all petition pages were sent or delivered to each county in the congressional districts targeted and given a deadline of July 27 to return them to Blunt’s office. All counties had verified signatures and submitted certifications to Blunt’s office by Friday, May 21.

To enact the constitutional change, sponsors of this petition were required to get signatures equal to or exceeding 8 percent of the number of people voting in the last gubernatorial election in six of Missouri’s nine congressional districts. The six districts targeted by the sponsors of this petition were 1,2,3,5, 6 and 7. Here is how the question will appear on the August or November ballot:

"Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to authorize floating gambling facilities on or adjacent to the White River in Rockaway Beach, Missouri, to be licensed and regulated consistent with all other floating facilities in the state of Missouri, with fifty percent of the state revenues generated in the current year to be used for uniform salary supplement grants to all high quality teachers employed in priority schools, and the remaining state revenues generated in the current year to be distributed to all priority school districts on a per pupil basis for capital improvements to education facilities?

"This constitutional amendment will generate annual direct gaming revenue ranging from $39.9 to 49.0 million for the state and $10.2 to $12.4 million for the local government, subject to local voter approval and licensing by the State Gaming Commission. The amount of indirect revenue or expense, if any, is unknown."

Looks like the lawn mowers will be back in action for a few more weeks. The long dry spell was keepin’ growth down to a minimum, but ever’one was wonderin’ if the yellow patches would survive. Yesterday it looked like the soaker over the last few days has sparked new life into the local vegetation.

I think my tomato plants are way past any rescue, but most ever’thing else seems to have perked up some. It always amazes me how plants seem to react better to rain than processed water. I’ve wondered ‘bout puttin’ rain barrels under the downspouts and then runnin’ a test usin’ on two locations between rain water and tap water. Puttin’ the exact same amount on both growths and seein’ if there is any difference. ‘Course I’ve frequently considered jumpin’ out of a plane with a parachute, but that one hasn’t got off the ground either.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition

By Mari An Willis

Peppermint EVERYWHERE!!!! I love it, the bees love it, my grandkids love it, but the gardeners who forgot to contain it don’t even like it!!! Peppermint, spearmint and other members of the mint family tend to run awry when not contained. It travels via a very active root system and can even take over a field if allowed to travel by root and seeds. Peppermint has been traditionally used to treat the gastric system. It is very soothing to the stomach and even gentle enough for babies.* Mint iced tea is a tradition in many areas of the south. My Great Aunt used to can it just so we would have some for the winter months. Fresh mint leaves in tabouli just makes the recipe pop. An old herbalist friend uses mint in a recipe for cough in which he blends peppermint, horehound, thyme, sage leaves, slippery elm and honey. I have known those who made and canned a syrup of peppermint for use in Mint Juleps. When there is mint, there is usually a lot, but with some imagination, you can find lots of ways to use it.

I had the opportunity to attend the shoplifting seminar sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and given by our police this morning. It was interesting to find out that we as businesses have more rights today against shoplifters than before. Folks, remember as consumers, that it does cost YOU and I money every time someone lifts something. So, don’t hesitate to report it. This new tiny camera technology for in-store survelience has made it much easier for us to monitor our businesses. Thanks to the Chamber and police for this valuable information.

*Louise Tenney, Today’s Herbal Health