Possible Sign Violations.

The Public Works Committee held their regular meeting Tuesday afternoon in City Hall. The agenda included a discussion on old abandon business signs and improper displaying of the signs. Public Works Director Craig Menees reported that several signs in Carthage are in violation of the ICC regulations. Menees stated that the City of Carthage is covered by the ICC (International Code Council) for building codes but the City has not yet adopted the International Zoning Codes of the ICC which covers the sign regulations such as construction, size, placement and mounting specification, and permits required for signs.

Menees reported that there is an old abandon "parking" sign on the parking lot of Bamboo Gardens and another on Garrison north of Central for the old Dazy Motel. Also there is a sign on the roof of Super 6 Apartments on South Garrison. Menees stated that it is not a regulation roof sign and is not bolted down.

"It is tied down by bailing wire," said Menees. "With the winds we had on Sunday, it could have easily blown down. I am taking this (sign regulations and safety) from a liability stand point,"

Menees spoke to the Mornin’ Mail and reported that he raised the issue of signs to heighten awareness.

"I don’t want to cause a stir," said Menees. "I wanted to heighten their sensitivity and be aware of the possible safety hazards of the old signs and poles."

Committee member Bill Fortune stated that he thought that currently business signs had to be brought to the Public Safety committee for wind loading requirements.

"We need a mechanism in place to enforce it (sign regulations)," said Fortune.

In other business, Menees reported that the owner of the brick warehouse building on the northwest corner of Mound and Meridian has been contacted. He stated that the roof collapsed and the side walls are still standing, but the concern is the walls collapsing into the street and the property west of the building.

"The warehouse on Meridian is on record with us," said Menees. "We have sent him a certified letter with a time table to obtain a demolition permit."

Committee member Don Stearnes expressed his concern with the abandon car wash on the Fairview Christian parking lot.

"It looks like part of the roof has collapsed on it and there are some bricks on the ground," said Stearnes. "It is also such an eye soar."

Menees stated that there will be "eye soars" in town.

"But safety enforcement is a must," said Menees.

Seeking Volunteers.

The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers and teams for their 9th Annual Relay For Life of Carthage. They are holding a meeting at 5:30 p.m. March 19th at Leggett & Platt, Leggett Road, Carthage.

According to a media release by the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life is a fun filled overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country. The event is to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Teams of 8 to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fund-raising walk in the nation. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer.

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community based, voluntary health organization, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.

Contact Connie Leek at 358-4408 or 358-8131 for information on the March 19th meeting for volunteers.

For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or their Web site at www.cancer.org.

Mornin'

I had the opportunity to use onea those dial phones the other day. Never realized how long it took for the dial to return from a nine.

‘Course these days ya punch one button for programed speed dial and get irritated just waitin’ for the phone to dial up the number. Then I don’t think "dial" is really a proper term any longer either, but I never hear anyone "button" a phone number. I do hear the term "key" in a number from time to time, I suppose that works.

I’m not much for phone hoppin’. I get used ta one that works and pretty much use it ‘till it just dies.

I have to admit I’ve grown accustom to the key pad and a redial button. But if I didn’t "dial" in the first place, how can the phone "redial"?

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

By Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

I need your help with an issue that’s come up between my girlfriend and me. She recently installed halogen headlights on her car. And I hate halogen headlights. HATE them. I am very prone to migraines, and I find that having halogen headlights coming at me triggers migraines something awful. She says that staring into any headlight will make your head hurt. I say they’re really inconsiderate of other drivers. She says they’re cool. I should add that we live in Sydney, Australia, and the roads are busy and well-lit, and her vision is fine. What do you think? And do you have any suggestions on how to use halogen headlights safely and considerately (if that’s possible)? — Elena

TOM: Elena, I’m going to guess that you don’t drive toward your girlfriend that often. And that your concern is less about her giving you migraines than it is about her being a good citizen.

RAY: I’m also going to guess that you really mean to impugn xenon or HID (high-intensity discharge) headlights, not halogens. Halogens have been in common use for 30 years now, and almost all cars have them. We know there’s a lot of ocean between here and Sydney, Australia, but I trust that the halogen bulb got there several decades ago, along with other cultural staples like the microwave oven and Bermuda shorts.

TOM: Xenon lights, however, can be a bit distracting. They have a blue hue to them, and they are brighter than standard halogen bulbs. But they also offer excellent visibility at night — at least for the driver who has them!