Today's Feature

Citizens Protest Zoning Change.

The Carthage City Council met Tuesday evening in a regular session. Council heard from many citizen participants who spoke against an ordinance which would change the zoning of property at 1926 S. Garrison from "A" First Dwelling and "D" Local Business to "E" General Business.

Property owner Vince Scott has requested that the building be rezoned to attract more potential buyers. The current zoning does not allow for the sale of alcohol by the drink.

The citizens living near the property have spoken against the rezoning before, when the same proposal came before Council last year. At that time Council rejected the rezoning but granted a special use permit which was a compromise between the proposed zoning and restrictions proposed by the neighbors. The special use permit recently expired, the building having not sold in that time period, and Scott thereafter requested the zoning change again.

Citizen Ivan Hager spoke to Council first, saying that he opposed the zoning change because it is not known what business will occupy the space. Hager said he felt that the business owner, not the property owner, should request the zoning change.

"There’s no purpose in changing it just to change it," said Hager.

Citizen Jess Kessinger asked Council not to approve the rezoning because of potential negative impacts to the neighborhood.

Citizen Nancy Corley said that she did not want a business in her back yard that could sell liquor by the drink.

Citizen Lujene Clark asked Council to consider the impact that the zoning change would have on the neighborhood if approved.

"We’re asking you to help us protect our neighborhood," said Clark.

The Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation Commission has approved the zoning change contingent on the approval of a separate City code change which would further restrict the "E" zoning. The changes would prevent businesses such as dance clubs and taverns from operating within 300 feet of residential areas.

During the first reading of the ordinance, the changes were outlined by City Attorney Nate Dally and Public Works Director Chad Wampler, but there was little discussion by Council members. The second reading for the rezoning and code changes will be held at the next regular Council meeting, Tuesday, September 11.

I suppose it’s like always findin’ somethin’ in the last place ya look, when you are usin’ somethin’ the most, it wears out the fastest.

My air conditioning unit at the house decided that onea the hottest days of the summer was a good time to put me on warnin’. Fortunately it was a fairly simple fix and didn’t disturb my comfort for any length of time. An abundance of ceilin’ fans and an evenin’ breeze kept a tolerable temperature until repairs were complete.

My grandparents had a screened in sleepin’ porch for hot summer nights. Air conditionin’ was one worry they didn’t have to fret about.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Click & Clack Talk Cars
By Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

You guys are great, and my 6-year-old loves you, too. Please help me stay sane. I have a 14-year-old Honda Civic that runs great, even with 174,000 miles. My only problem is that the seat-belt warning light flashes and the warning noise beeps constantly. There is nothing wrong with the seat belt itself, but there obviously is a short somewhere. The cost to replace the entire seat-belt system is more than the car is worth. But the cost of the therapy I’ll need if I don’t get this fixed or disconnected is even more! The mechanics say they won’t touch it (i.e., disconnect the beep). I can’t tell where it’s coming from under the dash or I’d yank it out myself. You have got to help me! - Jane

TOM: I’m not sure why you’d have to replace the entire "seat-belt system," Jane. I agree with you that it’s probably the fault of a disconnected wire or a 15 cent electrical switch somewhere.

RAY: It’s going to take a little bit of investigation, though. It could be in the driver’s seat latch, where you insert the buckle. There’s a switch there that tells the light and bell to turn off once you’ve fastened the seat belt. But unfortunately, that’s not the only possibility.

TOM: Right. It could be that the weight sensor in the passenger’s seat is bad, and the car thinks there’s a passenger when there’s not. That’s easy enough to test, by fastening the passenger seat belt and seeing if the warnings stop.

RAY: I agree with your mechanics - I wouldn’t disconnect the warning system.

TOM: So I’d take it to a Honda dealer. They’re most likely to have seen this before, and may be able to home in on it quickly. Plus, it’s likely to be covered by Honda’s lifetime seat-belt warranty. And even if it’s not, fix it anyway. You’ll be safer and saner. Poorer, yes. But safer and saner.