Today's Feature

Public Safety Committee.

Carthage Public Safety Committee met Monday night at 6:30 p.m. Fire Chief Cooper discussed bids for reroofing the 75 foot by 120 foot portion or roof over the engine room of the Fire Station. A motion was passed to recommend the low bid of $13,900 from Joplin Roofing to City Council for approval.

Further items of discussion included the cut in funding to the crime lab at MSSC, where Carthage Police work such as fingerprinting and DNA testing is sent. After a budget cut in Joplin, the Joplin Police Department has decided to send their work to the lab in Springfield, and has ceased their portion of funding of the Joplin lab. The remaining area police departments are trying to find a way to supplement the funding to the local lab to keep it in operation, as it is closer and has a faster turnaround time than the lab in Springfield. Senator Nodler was in attendance at a recent meeting on the subject.

The Committee briefly discussed the removal and sale of the double-decker bus to I-44 Bus Sales for the purchase price of $3,637.00.

I still expect to hear a bell ring when I pull up to the gas pumps. ‘Course there is little reason to announce your presence these days since there is no one rushin’ out ta wash your windshield.

I do find myself tryin’ to avoid passin’ by the pumps when I’m stoppin’ for a coke. I feel a little silly when I realize I’m tryin’ to avoid ringin’ the non existent bell.

I suppose anyone under the age of 18 doesn’t have any idea what I’m talkin’ about Talk to your parents, they should be the ones to explain such things.

I’d think some marketin’ savvy chain of convenience stores would put the bell back. It would make your customers feel important to know they are bein’ announce.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Mornin' Mail

Here's A Tip

By JoAnn Derson

• "Put a pinch of sage in your boots, and all day a spicy scent is your reward." — Adam B., via e-mail

• "To remember when to flip my mattress, I keep a piece of masking tape on the end. It is marked with four dates. I flip it every three months. When I flip it, I just tear off the part of the tape with the corresponding date, so I will remember." — Jeff J. in Florida

• "I use paper clips to mark recipe pages for the meals I plan to make for the week. They are very easy to see, and I can change them easily." — Gerri S. in Washington

• For a really great way to keep small papers organized but out of sight, line the inside of your kitchen cabinets with corkboard. You can buy it in sheets at office-supply stores, and it is usually self-adhesive. You can then pin phone numbers, business cards, reminders, recipes, coupons, etc., inside the doors. It makes for a less-cluttered look.

• "When I get my magazines, I date the front of them with a big marker. I date it one week from the day I get it. I have that much time to go through it and either read the articles or cut them out for future use. If I come across a magazine that is past the date, I recycle it without even looking inside." — A.T. in Virginia

• "Here’s something I do that helps to keep the car clean on trips to the beach. Before you go, line the seat with a sheet and lay a small towel down on the floors. Then, when you get into the car, the sheet and towel will catch the inevitable sand you track back with you." — A reader, via e-mail