Today's Feature

Discussed Recycling Fees.

The Public Works Committee met in a regular session Tuesday afternoon to discuss recycling fees. Public Works Director Chad Wampler presented the committee with a list of proposed changes for the recycling and drop-off center.

Wampler told the committee that there were some areas in which the City is currently losing money and that a rate adjustment could help to minimize the loss. The Demolition/Construction Waste category was identified as one in need of adjustment. Wampler said that the price the City pays for hauling the roll-off dumpster off, in conjunction with a fuel sur-charge is approximately $300 per dumpster.

Current rates in this category are divided into three sections; pick-up truck, $25; 4’ x 8’ trailer, $25; and one-ton or larger, $50. Wampler said that the one-ton is the main area of loss. The newly proposed rates were shown; pick-up truck, $40, 4’ x 8’ trailer, $40; and one-ton or larger, $200.

Committee chair Tom Flanigan proposed raising the cost for one-ton or larger to $300, to keep it comparable with the City’s expenditure for removal of the roll-off dumpsters. A motion was made to adjust the one fee and forward the proposed changes to Council for consideration.

Other smaller adjustments on the fee schedule include step increases for disposal of different sizes of mattresses and box springs. Previously, the disposal of these items was a flat $10 regardless of item size. The changes, if approved, would see twin mattress or box spring disposal at $10, Full/Queen size at $20, and King size at $25.

Letter to the Editor
Opinions expressed reflect those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Mornin' Mail.

I have refused to speak out concerning the parking referendum until now. I did not want to make this a Wells vs. the City Council. I did this because I want to know just how the people of Carthage felt about the City council, and whether we were truly serving the citizens of Carthage or just our friends and special interest groups.

Yes, I did get the answers I was looking for. Whether we meet our goal set by the City charter of 15% of the register active voters by Friday, we will still be a winner in that I have a much better understanding of the citizens of Carthage and how they feel about the City Council and whether we are serving them as to what we were elected for.

As for the information about the City, I will share that information with Mayor Jim Woestman. Then it will be up to him to decide what needs to be shared with the rest of the council. For all those that supported the petition, we thank you for your support and hope that we can better serve you in the future. To the other council members, you need to get out and talk to the people in your area or ward and ensure that we are representing the people and not just our own personal feelings.

There are a lot of people that feel we do not listen to them. I believe a lot of it is that the citizens of Carthage do not always understand all that goes into the decisions we have to make every two weeks. But without the citizens’ input, we are left with making decisions on our own. If we will all work a little harder at communicating we can make Carthage a better place to live. Thank you,

Councilman from Ward 2-2

Ronnie E. Wells

Stench Report:
Wednesday,
5/17/06

Stench Reported Tuesday evening - Multiple complaints filed with DNR

I suppose its a good sign that the farmer’s market is causin’ some congestion on the Square. The alternative of havin’ no congestion whatsoever would be a worse problem. ‘Course as is the case with any activity that encourages traffic, there is the lingerin’ problem of how to handle the bottlenecks that inevitably occur. Unfortunately, more cars on the Square does not automatically result in a direct benefit to merchants. It does, however, present an opportunity for merchants to take advantage of the situation.

Figurin’ out a way to deal with the influx of shoppers durin’ the Farmers Market is just one more of the community’s adjustments. It’s a good problem, as problems go, but needs attention just the same.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dear Tom and Ray:

I was recently told that I should not choose the option of an underbody wash at automatic carwashes since the cars are designed to deflect water away from brakes and bearings, etc., and that car washes actually spray directly into those components, doing more harm than good. Long sentence. Sorry... But is that true? - Curt

RAY: No. The underside of your car is constantly bombarded with water when it rains. Water is splashed up from the tires, and from puddles on the road. And that’s fine. It’s designed to get wet.

TOM: The brakes get wet all the time, and are designed to shed water and keep on working. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to drive in the rain.

RAY: My brother can’t drive in the rain. But that’s because his ‘52 MGTD won’t start when it’s wet out.

TOM: And because it doesn’t have windows!

RAY: Anything close to the ground that’s really not supposed to get wet - like ball joints and bearings - are sealed tightly and packaged in grease so that no water even gets in, not even under pressure from an undercarriage wash.

TOM: We do urge caution when it comes to power-washing the engine with a steam wand. Because that kind of intense pressure could possibly penetrate the less robust seals on some of the car’s electronic components. But an undercarriage wash won’t hurt anything, and it’ll probably help if you live where the roads are salted in the winter.

RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

Boxing, Auto Racing Have Much in Common

There are many similarities when comparing boxing and auto racing. Sure, there are dissimilarities, too, especially when it comes to timing. In boxing, a fight can stop after three seconds. In racing, you generally go to the checkered flag, or longer if necessary. Rain, of course, is the only exception. It’s the similarities, however, that intrigue us, so let’s begin.

Athletes: Boxers and drivers must compete when the bell rings or the green flag drops (or the green light goes on). Granted, the boxer is more "self-contained and openly exposed," whereas auto racers are strapped into a car that can many times determine the outcome of the race (mechanical woes, etc.).

Injuries: Boxers get hurt regularly, and so do race drivers. Mistakes in the ring or behind the wheel don’t show up as an "error, second baseman" in the next day’s sports page.

Reflexes: Both athletes have incredible reflexes, and all actions in the ring or on the track are crucial to the outcome.

Entourages: This seems to be more prevalent in racing these days. In boxing, there’s a host of "bodyguards" escorting fighters to the ring. In racing, it seems the ladies receive the "bodyguard" attention.

The Crews: In boxing, there are corner men who tend to the boxer between rounds. In racing, the pit crew serves as the catalyst to keeping the

In summary, it was Ernest Hemingway who once said, "There are only three real sports: bullfighting, mountain climbing and motor racing. The others are just games." I’m adding boxing to Hemingway’s list.