Today's Feature

Approved Comprehensive Plan Bid.

The Carthage City Council met Tuesday evening in a regular session. Mayor Jim Newly appointed Mayor pro-tem Tom Flanigan assumed mayoral duties in the absence of Mayor Jim Woestman.

During special committee reports, Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation Commission (P&Z) council liaison Bill Welch informed the council of the commission’s recommendation to accept a bid for a City comprehensive plan.

City Administrator Tom Short elaborated that the City had received two bid submissions and that one of those had been withdrawn. Planning Works of Kansas City, MO was the only remaining bid. Short said that an interview was conducted with Planning Works and that the P&Z commission was pleased with the results of the interview. The fee for the comprehensive plan is not to exceed $85,176. Planning Works bid for the comprehensive plan includes 6 workshops with the public and with City officials. It is estimated that the project will take one year to complete.

Council unanimously approved a motion to accept the bid.

The Council also heard a proclamation for Carthage High School student Brynn Cummins. Cummins wrote an article entitled "City Government Day" which was recently published in the nationally circulated periodical Leadership for Student Activities. The proclamation named April 24th Brynn Cummins Day in Carthage.

Council members in attendance included Diane Sharits, Bill Johnson, Bill Welch, Tom Flanigan, Dan Rife, Larry Ross, Mike Harris and Bill Fortune.

Budget Hearings Continue.

The City Council Budget/Ways and Means Committee will meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall to continue hearings for the Fiscal Year 2008 budget. Items on the agenda include the discussion of Capital Improvement Projects, meeting with the Carthage Water & Electric Plant and the beginning of the budget "perfection" process.

Most folks are a curious bunch. I suppose that’s why we’ve got the airplane and the telephone.

I suppose the Wright brothers mighta thought some ‘bout makin’ a little money outa bein’ the ones ta be credited with learnin’ how ta make it all work, but I’d bet it got done mostly ‘cause they were curious. Wanted to see if they could do it.

It’s too bad that some lose the opportunity to use their curiosity as they get older. It tends to stifle the learnin’ process and makes folks think you’re an old grouch.

I don’t think losin’ curiosity is a natural thing. I think folks have ta really work at it. Maybe some think it’s expected. Kids grow up hearin’ stuff like "Curiosity killed the cat" and "Don’t ask so many questions." Seems like some take those way too serious.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Click & Clack Talk Cars
By Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray: I recently saw a car catalog that had an oil-filter magnet for sale. The magnet was placed on the bottom of an oil-filter and was strong enough to remove any metal shavings from the oil stream. Is this product worthwhile, or am I just wasting my money? - Ron

TOM: These things have been around for years, Ron. They don’t do any harm.

RAY: They sell magnets that go inside the oil pan, magnets that are built into the oil plug, and magnets, like this one, that attach to the filter.

TOM: Now, keep in mind that the oil filter itself already removes any metal shavings, or anything that’s bigger than about 25 microns - or about half the width of a human hair. So they do a pretty good job.

RAY: Does stuff that’s smaller than that harm your engine? Probably, at least a little. But with the magnet, you’ll only get the metallic stuff that sneaks by the filter. You won’t catch any soot or pieces of aluminum, which are also harmful.

TOM: If a magnet really made engines last longer, don’t you think that Ford would already have spent the three cents per car it would take to build one into the oil plug?

RAY: So, I’d have to say that oil filter magnets fall into the category of "overkill."

TOM: But if you’re the kind of guy who believes in overkill, Ron, then go for it. Do you wear a surgical mask on an airplane? Do you go back and double check to make sure you’ve turned off the stove before you leave the house? Do you have your brother taste your food before you eat it? If so, you should get one of these magnets.

RAY: In fact, you should get two, in case one falls off.

TOM: Seriously, though, changing your oil regularly will probably extend the life of the engine more than any magnet.

RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

The Art of Racing Vintage Sports Cars

Carl Jensen is competition director of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, one of the most respected vintage racing groups in America. Headquartered in Decatur, Ga., the SVRA is dedicated to presenting safe, exciting and historic racing events with an emphasis on actual racing (check it out at www.svra.com).

ZYLA: Carl, how would you describe vintage sports-car racing?

JENSEN: Vintage racing is like fine wine or, better yet, similar to a great painting from Van Gogh, Picasso or Monet. I relate them to Porsche, Ferrari and Bugatti -- all great artists, all great car builders.

ZYLA: Unlike other organizations, which conduct on-track demonstrations or "driving" displays with historic race cars, the SVRA actually races. Do you feel this is why your organization has been so successful?

JENSEN: Yes. We race the cars just as they did in their day. This is really a big part of the attraction to the owners and fans. The racing can be just as intense as say, SCCA, but the difference is we strongly discourage running into other cars or other objects. Some of the cars are, of course, very valuable.

ZYLA: How about special races at events?

JENSEN: Almost every event has a special gathering of cars. We did MGAs at Sebring because it was their 50th year of racing at that venue. We are doing the 30th anniversary of the Sport 2000 at Road America, and we have 150 already entered.

ZYLA: What are you most proud of?

JENSEN: The fact that we continue to run Vintage racing events that are safe, fair and fun. Some people collect art ... we race it!