Today's Feature

Second Reading and New Referendum.

The much-debated special use permit that would allow for the sale of liquor by the drink at 1926 S. Garrison is scheduled for its second reading at the City Council meeting tonight. The permit was requested by property owner Vince Scott.

From its first appearance in the form of a rezoning request, through several meetings adopting a new special use permit, and the previous meeting where the first reading for implementation of this permit was heard, neighbors surrounding the property at 1926 S. Garrison have spoken against the proposed changes.

The special use permit would allow the sale of alcohol by the drink as long as 60 percent of the business’s total income is derived from the sale of prepared food.

Late last week a new method of opposition was proposed by the citizens, in the form of a petition request. Ten citizens signed a referendum to repeal this special use permit. The petition was signed by: Peggy Kessinger, Jess Kessinger, Elizabeth Simmons, Lana Royer, Shirley Tucker, Gary Tucker, Rozetta Taylor, Raymond Taylor, Herman Holz and Velma Holz.

City officials including City Attorney David Mouton, Mayor Jim Woestman and City Administrator Tom Short on Monday were inspecting the City charter to see if a referendum could be used for this purpose.

The neighbors of 1926 S. Garrison have listed fear of diminished property values, alcohol-influenced driving at close proximity, late closing times and disruptive clientele as reasons they wish Council to reject the implementation of the permit.

Citizen Ivan Hager, at the previous Council meeting, presented a list of restrictions the neighbors wish to see attached to the special use permit, should it be approved.

The second reading, during which the permit will be either approved or rejected, is scheduled for this evening. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of City hall at 7:30 p.m.

Parking Petition Ends.

The ordinance banning front yard parking in the City is back in effect. The end of last week marked the deadline for submittal of signatures in a petition against the ordinance. Citizen Regina Wells said in a recent interview that the group was not able to gather the 1,200 signatures required to repeal the ordinance in the time allotted. The group had collected approximately 800 signatures prior to the deadline.

Because the required number of signatures was not submitted, the ordinance is once again active. Police Chief Dennis Veach hopes to re-inform the public about the ordinance by having informational pamphlets printed. These pamphlets will contain explanations of the ordinance in English and Spanish, and a diagram illustrating parking restrictions for a variety of yard/driveway configurations.

Regina Wells said that she looks at the petition experience as a positive one, because it helped raised awareness about citizen participation in City government.

"We are hoping to encourage Council members and the Mayor to go out and talk to the people," said Wells of the petition outcome.

Stench Report:
Monday,
5/22/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

It’s not just the fact that the temperature is prob’ly ten degrees lower than it should be most of the time, it’s the fact ya get used ta not hearin’ noise from the neighborhood. I’m not talkin’ ‘bout the boomboxes, I mean the sounds of kids playin’ and neighbor’s talkin’ over the fence. The squirrels rustlin’ the tree branches, those kind of noises. The presence of a personal mechanical environment control is a significant contribution to the isolation of individuals from the community.

It’s easy to be philosophical about it, but I doubt if there’s much decision as long as the temperature stays above the 80 degree mark.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Heartburn Treatment Without Medicine

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have had acid reflux for at least 15 years. My problem is that I have been on everything for it, but have severe reactions to all reflux medicines. Can anything be done for me? I am going crazy. -- P.S.

ANSWER: Acid reflux, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux) and heartburn are all the same. Since medicines are off-limits for you, let’s take a stab at this without mentioning any.

Change the way you eat. Eat very slowly. Fast eating distends the stomach and encourages stomach acid to spurt into the esophagus to cause heartburn. Lose weight if you need to. Fat compresses the stomach and leads to reflux of stomach juices. Don’t wear any constricting clothes or belts, for the same reason. Don’t ever lie down immediately after eating. Eat smaller but more frequent meals. Stay away from peppermint, chocolate, fatty and fried foods, citrus drinks and other acidic food and drink, tomatoes, spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine. Don’t smoke. Put 6-inch blocks under the posts at the head of your bed so gravity can keep stomach acid in the stomach during the night. Don’t eat within three hours of going to sleep.

Of course, there is surgery for reinforcing the esophagus’s juncture with the stomach. It can be done either through a regular incision or with a laparoscope, which requires only a small cut in the skin.