Today's Feature
Presentation and the Rebuttal.

The City Council was allowed a chance to hear Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn’s first year tentative budget for the proposed Jasper County Law Enforcement Tax, and was also given a chance to ask Dunn questions during the Council meeting this week. According to Dunn’s outline the funding would be used additional officers, new equipment, better training and upgraded salaries.

Council member Jackie Boyer asked Dunn about the possibility of favoritism in monetary distribution. A 5 member committee which is to include Dunn would control distribution of approximately $150,000 that would be shared with local law enforcement agencies.

Dunn responded, "There’s always room for favoritism. We hope that doesn’t happen."

Council member Diane Sharits asked Dunn about the addition of two new animal abatement officers. Sharits said she felt the Humane Society should get additional funding from the department with the increased work load caused by two extra officers. Dunn agreed with the idea from Sharits.

Council member Bill Johnson expressed concerns about the amount of money, saying that some of the items on the list were one-time purchases. Johnson asked what would become of the supplemental funds after the initial purchases of the one-time items. Dunn said that there would need to be funding for the constant upkeep of the equipment and cars and that there was always room for improvement and expansion.

Council member Tom Flanigan said his problem with the tax was that it would be unending.

"Bonds go away, the library tax goes away. Yours doesn’t go away." said Flanigan.

Dunn expressed concerns of placing a sunset on the tax because the money would always be needed.

Mayor Kenneth Johnson said that nothing on the ballot says how the money would be spent and asked how one could be sure that it would be spent as proposed in the tentative budget. Dunn said that the statute lays out how the money would be spent.

Council member Ronnie Wells had no questions but noted at the close of the meeting that he stood by his original vote to not support the tax.

Citizen participant Kathy Wilson spoke in favor of the tax stating concerns that the City felt money was more important than the safety of taxpayers. Wilson urged the Council to reconsider their stance.

The item will be on the ballot November 8, 2005. As of Thursday Dunn stated that he had visited every City Council in the County with the exception of Jasper. Dunn said that Carthage was the only Council that met the proposal with opposition.

Treats Around the Square.

News release

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce invites all Carthage area youngsters to trick-or-treat early at the annual Treats Around the Square on Monday, October 31 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Numerous businesses located on and near the Historic Carthage Square will be open to pass out candy to area treaters.

Additional festivities will include a Costume Contest coordinated by Bronson Title beginning at 4 p.m. and a Halloween One Shot offered by Young Photography starting at 3 p.m. on the Courthouse lawn.

Contest prizes will be awarded in five categories ranging from newborn - 6th grade. Registration forms are available at Bronson Title and the Carthage Chamber office. Completed registration forms must be turned in to Bronson Title, located at 107 E. Third Street, between 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. on October 31. Other contest supporters include the Jasper County Courthouse, MOCAP, UMB Bank, Community Bank & Trust, Hometown Bank, US Bank, Donal Myers Realty, Arvest Bank, Charles Burt Homefolks, RE/MAX Classic, Southwest Missouri Bank and Coldwell Banker. For more information contact Bronson Title at 358-1000.

Three photo packages will be offered during the Halloween One-Shot. Packages range in value from $10 to $30 and include wallets, 5x7 and 8x10 prints. For more information call Mandy at 417-825-3632.

Stench Report:
Thursday,
10/27/05

No Stench Reported

Sunday will be the end of those long sunny evenin’s and the beginnin’ of the long trudge home in the dark.

It’s also when the annual leaf gatherin’ festival begins. And most likely the discussion of whether to burn or not to burn.

I’ll likely do a little burnin’ just to tidy up a bit, but most of the leafs in my yard will prob’ly get hauled to the City landfill this year. I like the idea of havin’ the option to burn, but I do know a lotta folks get a little cranky when the air is filled with smoke for blocks on end.

I suppose it comes down to usin’ a little common courtesy when it comes to burnin’. The thing that bugs me is when folks rake their leafs into the street and expect someone else to clean ‘em up. Bag ‘em up.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

I just love the fall. This is the time for gathering that the early spring has presented. Some herbs which are important to have stashed away for the winter colds and flu.

Mullein: a primary lung herb, which is easily brewed into a tea. It is considered an expectorant and painkiller. The usage for lung ailments has long been established.

Boneset: one of my favorites when there are aches and pains associated with flu or the flu shot or about any other "achy" condition. It makes a fine tea or can be taken in capsules. It is said that the Native Americans used this herb for conditions relating to any "bonecrushing" condition including childbirth.

Yarrow: a very astringent herb which is not too pleasant to the palate, but is quite effective in the early states of any cold or sore throat or flu. I like to mix it with some honey and take in small doses throughout the day. According to some herbalists it is much more effective if it is warm. It may cause one to break a sweat.

Echinacea: this beautiful purple coneflower has gotten plenty of press. It is for bolstering the immune system and quite effective in doing so. Most of the experts suggest that it be used for a few weeks and then take a rest. I have found in my years of observation that those who use it in that method get much better results.

artCentral

artCentral well represented in Neosho exhibit

Thanks to the vision and effort of artCentral members Pam Leisenring and Mary Ellen Pitts, an exhibition of paintings, pastels, watercolors, drawings, and graphics opened October 15 at the Elsie Plaster Community Center on the Crowder College campus in Neosho.

Now in its third year, The Thomas Hart Benton Art Competition and Exhibit attracted 50 emerging and professional artists from the four state region who submitted 130 artworks for jurying and inclusion in the current show. This year’s volunteers included artCentral members Cleo Copeland, Becky Golubski, Justin Hale, Dan McWilliams, Debbie Reed, Richard Reed, Donna Roberts, Verneil Roper, and Nida Rudd, along with Carthage painter Andy Thomas, who demonstrated his quick portrait method to an audience of fellow artists.

While Andy transformed a blank canvas into a sure likeness of his model sporting a cowboy hat, juror Jim Bray was busy in the exhibit hall selecting award winners. artCentral members captured most of the prizes in the Professional category, with Carol Adamec receiving Best of Show and recognition for Best Use of Color, and Dan Mc Williams taking Third Place. Becky Golubski was awarded Excellence in Pastel, while Tom Jones, Jesse McCormick, Dan McWilliams, Mary Ellen Pitts, and Marilyn York received Merit Awards.

Also showing in the exhibit are artCentral members Steve Binam, Heather Grills, Justin Hale, Pam Leisenring, Debbie Reed, Mary Lou Reed, Donna Roberts, Verneil Roper, and Nida Rudd.

Over 200 visitors viewed the exhibit during the first week. You can still catch the show through Sunday. Enjoy!