Today's Feature

More Input on Special Use Permit.

The Carthage City Council met Tuesday evening in a regular session. Items of discussion included the first reading of an ordinance requesting a special use permit at 1926 S. Garrison, requested by property owner, Vince Scott.

Several citizens neighboring the property appeared at the meeting to speak against the implementation of the permit, which would allow alcohol to be sold by the drink in the building as long as 60% of the total revenue is derived from the sale of prepared food.

Citizens who spoke included Ivan Hager, who presented a list of proposed restrictions, drafted by some of the neighbors, for inclusion in the permit. Items on the restriction list included closing times of 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, no alcohol served before 10:30 a.m. and a fence to be maintained between the parking lot and adjoining properties.

Citizen Nancy Corley also spoke against the permit, saying that restaurants serving liquor usually have a bar in them. Corley said that these bars provide an opportunity for people to drink irresponsibly. Corley encouraged Council to vote against the permit, or alternatively, to include the guidelines presented by Hager.

Permit requestor Vince Scott was also present at the meeting and encouraged Council to approve the permit. Scott told Council that he understood the concerns of the neighbors, but added that the area of the building is primarily commercial. Scott told Council that he felt more of the residential lots in the same vicinity would soon be commercial property as well, and he encouraged Council to make a compromise equal for everyone.

During the first reading of the ordinance, some Council members spoke concerning the citizen input. Council member Larry Ross asked for a meeting to be arranged between Public Works Director Chad Wampler, City Administrator Tom Short and Vince Scott, to look more closely at the list of citizen-requested restrictions. Ross said he felt that a fence between the properties would be a good addition.

Mayor Jim Woestman told Ross that a meeting would be scheduled.

Council member Ronnie Wells said that he did not want to see the citizens input ignored, adding that he would vote against the permit.

Council member Cynthia Curry said that she agreed partially with Wells, but felt that a closer look at the proposed restrictions would be in the best interest of all parties.

The second reading of the item is scheduled for the next Council meeting, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Stench Report:
Wednesday,
5/10/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage
Square

Other times a neighbor would give the same signal as they passed the house or wanted ta get your attention for a little chat on the side of the road.

I’m reminded of this rather trivial bit of folk lore ‘cause now ever’time someone sets their alarm on their vehicle, the horn gives that same little toot toot as verification that ever’thing is secure.

Anytime I’m out walkin’ and hear that sound I just look by habit expectin’ to see a friendly wave. ‘Course I’m generally disappointed. Nobody gives a toot anymore.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dear Tom and Ray:

I deliver pizza for a living (just don’t tell my insurance company!), and I was wondering how well a hybrid car would work for that. I usually feel guilty about using so much gas, but I worry about how a hybrid would work if I used it for stop-and-go driving all day. - Ursa

TOM: A hybrid might be the perfect vehicle for delivering pizza, Ursa.

RAY: The Toyota system in particular allows the car to run on battery power only at low speeds, if you accelerate gently. So, depending on what kind of delivery area you have, you could go all day and hardly use any gas.

TOM: Even in mixed city driving, the mileage of an economical hybrid car, like the Prius, will be superior to just about anything else on the road. (Just be careful not to buy a power-oriented hybrid car, like the Honda Accord Hybrid or the Lexus RX400, which use the electric motor primarily to increase power rather than to save fuel.)

RAY: It’s hard to know for certain how well hybrids will hold up to the kind of wear and tear you’d put on a car by making deliveries all day. But there are already anecdotal stories of people using Priuses as taxis and delivery vehicles. And the reports so far, though not scientific, are coming back very positive.

TOM: There’s only one thing we still need to figure out. We know that the batteries in the Prius are under the floor in the cargo area, behind the rear seat. And we know that they must generate heat. So, we have to figure out how to use that heat to create a pizza warmer. Call Toyota and get them working on that!

RACING
By Greg Zyla

Stewart, Foyt Cut From Same Cloth

Q: Do you feel "Smoke" Tony Stewart is as talented as "Texan" A.J. Foyt was? I hear many times on TV that Stewart and Foyt are regarded as similar in talents. What’s your opinion? -- Andy, e-mail from Texas

A: Andy, I’d pretty much agree with that statement. Foyt is regarded as one of the best -- if not the best -- racing driver ever to take a lap on a race course. He is the only driver to win the Daytona 500, LeMans 24 Hours and the Indy 500. Mario Andretti should also get a vote here, winning the Formula One World Driving Championship, Daytona 500 and Indy 500! Not too shabby.

I mention "race course" because Foyt was just as good on dirt, asphalt and road courses as he was in winning Indy four times. Stewart, although he has yet to win Indy, did win an Indy Racing League championship when he drove Indy cars full time, and his countless wins on dirt tracks across America are well-documented. Much to the chagrin of his teammates at Home Depot and Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart still competes regularly in sprint and midget races, and in some sports-car endurance races, too. His two Cup championships are well-deserved.

Perhaps the closest similarity between "The Texan" and "Smoke" is personality. Both are good friends and fiery in nature, and if approached at the wrong time, may give more than a TV broadcaster is looking for. However, both are also well respected and have other sides to their personalities, too.