Today's Feature

Two Tier Plan Moves Forward.

The first reading of the ordinance that would change the structure of dog and cat licensing in the City was heard by City Council on Tuesday evening. The ordinance would raise licensing rates for cats and dogs that are not spayed or neutered to $5.00. Under the same plan, if the animals are spayed or neutered the license would be free.

Council member Mike Harris requested that an amendment be made to include a waiver of fees for senior citizens 65 years of age or older.

Other items of discussion about the ordinance included Council member Ronnie Wells’ concern about documentation. The ordinance requires that proof be provided to the veterinarian issuing the license if the animals are spayed or neutered. Wells asked about persons who may have moved to Carthage with their pets, and how to obtain the required documents.

Council member Bill Welch said that if the animals were male, the status would be apparent, but females would be more difficult to determine. Welch added that documentation that could likely be provided by the veterinarian who performed the operation.

The Council agreed that if documentation could not be provided that the veterinarian could determine the status of the animal through testing.

No citizens were present at the meeting to discuss with Council the proposed ordinance.

Stench Report:

Wednesday,
9/13/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

My uncle worked at a steady pace. He’d get jobs done that no one else wanted to try. But ya didn’t hurry him.

"If ya just leave him alone," I’d hear ‘em say, "he’ll get it done."

I’ve seen the time when someone tried to push to rush him a little. It was like watchin’ an old mule. The harder ya tugged on the rope, the farther in he dug his heels. A matter of principle I suppose.

Sometimes all you have to do is just relax the tension a little and let things go at their own pace. Don’t get kicked as often either.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dear Tom and Ray:

Last Saturday my wife and I were awakened by a very loud explosion that shook our upstairs windows. We investigated to find everyone crowded around a neighbor’s old Ford Bronco. Evidently, when my neighbor started his car the entire muffler system exploded, leaving a pile of debris surrounding the vehicle. I’ve never heard of a muffler going up like that. I do know, however, that this neighbor is in a virtual hatefest with another neighbor - a former Navy Seal - and I know that this other neighbor has been hoping for an opportunity for revenge. Is it possible that the muffler just went up in spontaneous combustion or do you think that this was the result of some nefarious human act? - Randy

RAY: I suspect you guys are right, Randy. This has all the markings of an I.E.D.: an Irate Ex-military Dirty-trick.

TOM: It is possible for a muffler to explode. If your spark is interrupted, or if the spark plugs aren’t creating enough spark to star the car, unburned gasoline can collect in the exhaust system. When the car finally does start, that unburned gas can ignite.

RAY: This is commonly known as a backfire. And it can be severe enough to blow a weakened muffler right off the car. But when that happens you usually see is a 4 or 6 inch gash where the muffler’s metal seam has separated. I’ve never seen pieces of the muffler distributed around the car.

TOM: So I’m guessing the Navy Seal calculated very carefully, and put just enough explosive under the car to scare this guy without actually maiming him.

RAY: Or maybe he miscalculated, and only blew up the muffler.

TOM: In any case, the lesson here is: Don’s start a feud with your neighbor if he’s a former Navy Seal.