Today's Feature

Amendment Funds Soil, Water Conservation.

The 2006 Primary election will be held Tuesday, August 8. Items on the ballot include Constitutional Amendment No. 1, which if approved, would continue the already existing tax used to fund Missouri soil and water conservation and State parks. The amendment reads in part:

"Shall Article IV, Section 47 (a), (b), and (c) of the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

A) reauthorize for ten years the one-tenth percent sales/use tax for (1) soil and water conservation: (2) state parks and historic sites; and

B) resubmit this issue to a vote every ten years or at an earlier special election?

The proposed constitutional amendment continues until 2016, but does not increase, the existing sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent that is set to terminate in 2008..."

Approximately $8.2 million is generated annually by the tenth percent tax, half of which goes to soil conservation programs including prevention of soil erosion. The tax was originally established in 1984. According to the Department of Natural Resources, from 1982 to 2002 the soil erosion rate in Missouri dropped from 10.9 tons of soil per acre to 5.3 tons per acre on cultivated cropland due to efforts made available through the tax funds.

The other half of the tax funds Missouri State Parks. According to the Missouri Parks Association, the tax provides 75 percent of funds needed for state parks. There are over 80 state parks in Missouri.

Stench Report:
Friday,
8/4/06

Powerful Stench Reported North of Central Friday Evening.

‘Course the locals know it’s just the markin’ of property lines. Some to indicate where certain groups are to be campin’, some to indicate no campers allowed.

Most campers return year after year to their favorite sites and have built a friendship with their hosts.

I hear that typically the campers put together a collection to help out with any expense for utilities, etc. One lady I understand recieves enough to help out considerably on her property taxes.

It’s amazing what responsible adults can do if they put their heads together.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Why Bother to Clean House’s Siding?

Q: I have read on Web sites the answers to the questions of "How do I wash vinyl siding?" and "Can I use a power washer?" Can you post and answer this question that may be helpful to others: "Why should I keep my vinyl siding clean year round?" -- Philip L., via e-mail

A: Good question! And the answer is pretty clear: Keeping the siding clean throughout the year will keep dirt, stains and mold from diminishing the look and shortening the life of your home’s siding. Cleaning the siding on a regular basis also gives you the chance to inspect the whole exterior of the house for damage, not just to the vinyl siding but also things like the gutter system, other facing materials like brick or plaster, and so on.

A house is a system, partnering different methods to keep the interior dry and cozy. If one part is off -- like a break in the gutter allowing rainwater to flow into places it shouldn’t -- the entire system can be affected. Leaks can appear in the ceiling or walls, followed by mold. Or the water can find its way behind the vinyl siding, creating an unseen mildew problem. So checking for and fixing all trouble spots will ensure the health of your house and minimize costly repairs.

But, back to cleaning the siding. Washing the vinyl siding twice a year will keep it free of dirt and looking good. A long-handled, soft brush and a water-based cleaning solution will loosen grime, followed by a good rinse using the garden hose and a sprayer attachment. Work your way up from the bottom to minimize streaking, then down from the top to finish.

A pressure washer can be used to clean siding, but be careful. Follow the product’s directions for cleaning siding, and don’t aim the pressure washer upward as water can be forced through the small overlaps of the siding and cause a mildew problem.

As always, be aware of the unique properties of vinyl siding. To prevent permanent damage (the kind where panels have to be replaced): Don’t barbecue right next to the house, because most siding warps at 160-165 F. Cover up the siding if you’re using stains or sealants, other chemical solutions or wet concrete nearby. And don’t spray herbicide or fungicide on the siding to get rid of a mold problem before checking the label, as some of these products can stain the vinyl.