Today's Feature

Meet the Candidate.

The Lincoln Ladies Republican Women’s Club and Jasper County Republican Central Committee sponsored the "Meet the Candidate" Ice Cream Social and Republican Rally on Monday in Memorial Hall. Most Republicans running for the August 8 Primary were present at the event. Candidates who are facing opposition in the election were allowed time to speak.

U.S. Senator Jim Talent was the first of the scheduled speakers. Talent listed his views on a number of issues including the right to bear arms, abortion, traditional marriage, terrorist surveillance and tax cuts.

Candidates for United States Representative in Congress 7th District who spoke include; Midge Potts, Clendon Kinder and Bernard F. Kennetz Jr. Incumbent Representative Roy Blunt was not able to attend the event.

Potts spoke about the ideals of democracy and said that if elected she would encourage fellow representatives to not take campaign contributions from Political Action Committees.

Kinder spoke about Social Security, saying the the current situation is "not what America needs."

Kennetz spoke about his experience, after which he questioned Blunt’s effectiveness in office.

Incumbent Presiding County Commissioner Chuck Surface spoke about his 4 year tenure saying that the storms of 2003 had helped the Commission to become more professional in dealing with emergency situations. Surface said he felt that for some time the Carthage Courthouse had been neglected, and that he had sought funding to help replace the wiring and the electrical service. Surface also spoke about the Jasper County Drug Discount Card which provides discounts on many prescription drugs. The program requires no signup and is free, according to Surface.

James Spradling, challenger for Presiding Commissioner spoke about his qualifications, citing experience as former Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue. Spradling said that he had increased efficiency in the department and maintained a budget of $11 million, turning back appropriation every year. Spradling said that this election would decide the future of the County as it concerns avoiding an increase in property tax in the next 10 to 15 years.

John Bartosh, challenger for Presiding Commissioner spoke of his experience in business, listing Four State Sanitation, Four State Stockyards and Lucky J Arena. Bartosh said he would like to see the departments work together for a unified goal.

Circuit Judge Division 1 Candidates who spoke included Karl Blanchard and Gayle Crane.

Blanchard spoke briefly concerning his qualifications citing vast jury trial experience.

Crane spoke about the effects of methanphetamine in the area and proposed a stricter punishment for crimes involving meth.

Other speakers at the event included State Auditor Candidates Jack Jackson, Mark Wright and Sandra Thomas; Circuit Judge Division 3 Candidates Chuck Lonardo, David Mouton and Donna Kitchen; and Clerk for County Commission Candidates Bonnie Earl and Connie Coulter Mosbaugh

Lincoln Ladies Representative Jenny Mansfield said she felt the event turned out well. It was estimated that the attendance of the event was around 300 people.

Stench Report:
Tuesday,
7/18/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage
Square

I did manage to sample a few strawberries before the critters noticed. I have yet to see any signs of actual peppers poppin’ up on those plants, so the green tomatoes are becoming more obvious as a first choice. I am hopeful that there will be sufficient numbers of the vegetables to compensate for the early departure of a few unripened martyrs.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

• If your cooler is smelling less than fresh, one of these home remedies might work: charcoal briquettes, baking soda or crumpled newspaper. Wash the cooler inside and out with warm, soapy water; dry and place a paper bowl filled with either about 10 charcoal briquettes or half a box of baking soda, or fill to capacity with crumpled newspaper. Close tightly and let sit overnight. Remove filling. If it still smells, repeat the process.

• "To soften hard brown sugar, slip the sugar into a zip-lock bag with a slice of white bread. Seal the bag and after leaving it overnight, you should be able to take the piece of bread out and break up the clunks easily with your hands." -- T.I., via e-mail

• Here’s a great cleaner for use in the shower. Fill a spray bottle with plain white vinegar, then drop in several sprigs of thyme. Give it a couple of weeks in the cabinet to "cure," and then mist the shower daily. The vinegar is acidic, and the thyme’s essential oils are antifungal -- warding off mold spores.

• "To get a juice boost from lemons, limes and oranges for recipes, microwave the fruit for no more than 10 seconds. Then roll on the counter before cutting. If you hold it cut side up over a bowl, you’ll still get the juice but won’t have to fish out seeds." -- S.K. in California

• It’s picnic season, and here’s a quick reminder for stain removal. Mustard: Pretreat with full-strength laundry detergent, soak in hot water for 30 minutes, then launder as usual. Ketchup: Rinse with cool water to flush out, apply an enzyme-based pretreater, sponge with peroxide and launder as usual. Be sure to check all stains coming out of the washer. If the stain remains and the garment is dryed in the dryer, the heat will likely set the stain for good.