Today's Feature

First Hearing.

The Budget/Ways and Means Committee met Monday evening to discuss the City budget for Fiscal year 2008.

City Administrator Tom Short spoke first, giving an overview for the budget, outlining the main policy issues recommended by the Budget committee. These policies requested that department heads prepare a "maintenance" request which maintains the current level of services; and that department heads "hold the line" on personnel. Additional priorities outlined by Short included the proposed improvements to the Tree City Program, improved conditions in City parks, annexation of "islands" within the City limits, economic growth, a comprehensive plan and improvement to the quality of life.

The agencies that presented budget requests during Monday’s meeting included the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Carthage Chamber of Commerce, Humane Society, Over 60 Center, Carthage Youth Softball, Carthage Merchants American Legion Baseball, Carthage Little League Baseball and the Carthage Library. (For requested amounts, see Agency Requests)

A representative from each agency was allowed time to speak to the committee to outline services provided, expenditures and areas for improvement. The committee asked several questions during each session.

One notable increase over last year’s request came from the Carthage Library. The Library board is requesting to use funding from the Parks and Stormwater Tax this year to assist with increased operational costs in the new expansion to the Library. Library representative Jennifer Seaton said that utility costs were expected to increase at least 50% when the new addition is open. The voter-approved Parks and Stormwater Tax is allowed to be used for this purpose. City Administrator Short noted that the funding was limited and that not all of the money is to be used for the Library, saying that it would be up to the committee to decide how much should be appropriated for that use.

The meeting ran according to schedule and was adjourned at 9:15 p.m., having started at 6:30 p.m. Committee chair Bill Johnson said he felt the meeting "went well."

The second hearing, for City departments, is scheduled for this evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Departments on the agenda include; Fire, Emergency Management, Police, Taxi, Parks & Recreation, Golf, Pool, Streets, Street Engineer Projects, Public Works, Landfill, Public Health, City Attorney, Administration, Memorial Hall, Civil War Museum and Central Municipal Activities. The hearings are open to the public.

Agency Requests.

A list of each agency from Monday’s Budget meeting, the amount requested for the Fiscal 2008 budget, and the amount approved for this year, the Fiscal 2007 Budget.

Convention & Visitors Bureau

2008 Request: $122,000

2007 Approved: $116,00

Carthage Chamber of Commerce

2008 Request: $106,720

2007 Approved: $85,000

Humane Society

2008 Request: 20,400

2007 Approved: $19,200

Over 60 Center

2008 Request: $21,000

2007 Approved: $22,000

Carthage Youth Softball

2008 Request: $2,000

2007 Approved: $2,000

American Legion Baseball

2008 Request: $2,000

2007 Approved: $1,000

Carthage Little League Baseball

2008 Request: $2,000

2007 Approved: $2,000

Carthage Library

2008 Request: $54,500

2007 Approved: $0

It’s the time a year that folks start payin’ close attention to the weather. Those thunder clouds start rollin’ and spinnin’ gets the hair up on the back of the neck for anyone who has been close to a tornado.

I’ve never been smack dab in the middle of one, but have on occasion been hunkered down within’ a few blocks from the path. I have felt a travel trailer raise up a might as one passed over head.

Like most, I don’t have an unnatural fear of natural disasters, but I do have a healthy respect for the power of a twister in the spring time. I’ve heard various suggestions over the years as ta how to deal with a tornado comin’ your way. The best of all is the simple "DUCK." Keep your head down and let it blow over. Not bad advice for other adverse situations too I suppose.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip
By JoAnn Derson

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• If you have a messy toddler, spouse or pet, or if you’ve ever had a $50 blouse ruined by goodness-knows-what, you are going to want to rush to your bookstore for a copy of Good Housekeeping’s "Stain Rescue." This amazing little book retails for $12.95, and features a comprehensive A-to-Z list of stain busters. Also included is a chapter on TLC for Heirloom Textiles. There’s no better reference for identifying and treating laundry and fabric stains than this book.

•Tomatoes stop ripening once they are refrigerated. Ripen to taste at room temperature, then refrigerate.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at letters.kfws@hearstsc.com.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.