Today's Feature

Approved the Outdoor Classroom.

Carthage City Council met Tuesday evening in a regular session. Council member Mike Harris was Mayor Pro Tem in the absence of Mayor Jim Woestman.

The second reading of an ordinance entering into agreement with the Carthage R-9 School system for use of the Outdoor Classroom area of Kellogg Lake Park was approved unanimously.

Council also approved a resolution supporting the Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri (D.R.E.A.M.) initiative. This program was recommended by Chamber of Commerce Director Max McKnight.

It was McKnight’s final official meeting and he spoke to Council about the D.R.E.A.M. initiative, saying he felt it would help business grow in Carthage. McKnight has worked with the City for approximately 10 years. He noted that he had worked with 12 different Councils. Council members wished McKnight well at his new location in Oklahoma.

McCune-Brooks Hospital Director Bob Copeland gave his quarterly report to Council and spoke about the construction of the new hospital structure. Copeland said that the work was about 25 percent complete. The foundation, sewer, storm sewer and the majority of the large slab concrete pouring have been completed. The metal studs, brick and concrete roofs are still in progress.

Copeland said he was very pleased with the construction team and the inclusion of elements of nature in the hospital design.

The completion date for the hospital is scheduled for October of 2007. The square footage of the new structure will be approximately 143,000 feet.

Council heard the first reading of an ordinance which would add the replacement of metal roofing to the list of materials which is deemed maintenance to structures. Council member Diane Sharits voiced concerns about the metal roofing being accepted in the Historic District.

Public Works Director Chad Wampler said that he was not aware if the material would be allowed in the district, but that he would research the matter. Sharits said that if the material was to be accepted in Historic Districts that she would vote against the ordinance. Sharits added that she felt there had been enough compromises made to the acceptable materials used in historic structures. The item will be in its second reading in the next Council meeting.

During committee reports, the Finance Personnel committee brought to Council a recommendation for underwriting services for the west-end sewer project. Based on a recommendation by Springstead Associates, who interviewed 6 candidates for the service, Council approved United Missouri Bank to be responsible for underwriting the $3.5 million project. The motion was approved unanimously.

During staff reports Police Chief Veach said that the annual Mudstock event, held July 22, was successful. Veach said the weather and attendance were both exceptional.

Stench Report:
Wednesday,
7/26/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage
Square

I can see in a big city where it’s not safe ta be out on the sidewalks a trail through a park might be used by those livin’ in the downtown area.

Growin’ up, walkin’ trails were gravel roads. The small community I lived in had a few blocks of sidewalks in the business area along with four or five blocks of paved street. The biggest problem with walkers was cuttin’ cross the neighbor’s yard. The kids created their own walkin’ trail through the back alleys and empty fields. ‘Course if it was rainin’, most of the kids had enough sense not ta be out walkin’ round anyway.

I say most ‘cause a few of us didn’t have the sense to get in outa the rain.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

A Clean Car Won’t Get Better Gas Mileage.

Dear Tom and Ray:

A friend of mine says I am wrong, and I was hoping you would have the answer. Whenever I go on a long trip, I always wash and wax the car before I start, and as the bugs collect, I hit carwashes as needed along the way. Besides, it is great driving a nice, pretty car. My reasoning is that a clean car has less drag, so there is a small improvement in gas mileage. My friend asked me if this was supposed to be a joke. He says the actual difference in gas mileage would be too small to matter. Can you comment? - Steven.

RAY: If it makes you feel good to drive a nice, clean car, Steven, then you should absolutely do it. But you’re not saving a measurable amount of gas that way - not unless you’re cleaning off some enormous, mutant, three-dimensional bird dropping in the shape of airplane flaps.

TOM: While washing the car won’t hurt, you’ll certainly spend more on the carwashes than you’ll ever save on gasoline. I mean, the special "Gold Service," with underbody wash, the air-drying by six exhaling former Soviet ballerinas, and personalized fuzzy-dice preening has to run you at least $12.95 a pop.

RAY: If you’re determined to save gas on a long trip, Steven, your time would be better spent making sure your car has been serviced, your tires are properly inflated, your windows are closed and you drive at the speed limit.