Today's Feature

Harris About CVB.

At Monday’s Budget Committee meeting, committee member Mike Harris voiced a motion to end the City contract with the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (CVB).

On Tuesday, prior to the Council meeting, Harris elaborated on the City’s frustration at a lack of communication with the CVB. Harris said that the Council generally discusses the need for improved communication with the CVB each year during the budget sessions. This year, according to Harris, the matter was publicized for the first time.

The following was reported by the Mornin’ Mail on May 1, 2006 during the 2007 fiscal year budget hearings; "The committee discussed the City agencies and had a lengthy debate about arrangements with the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Several Committee members expressed concerns regarding the distribution of the lodging tax money, received by the CVB."

A council retreat in September further ingrained the importance of this communication. Frustration subsequently increased for some Council members when several attempts to schedule meetings with the CVB failed.

This year in June the City contracts with the CVB and the Chamber of Commerce are up for renewal. Currently, neither the CVB nor the Chamber of Commerce has a director. Both positions are being filled by interim directors after the resignation of Max McKnight (Chamber) and more recent resignation of Aimee Smith (CVB).

Harris said he felt it would better serve the City to terminate the CVB contract, replacing the duties of the bureau with an employee who would focus on tourism under the direction of the Chamber. He added that it would make more sense to change the structure during the period of time that the CVB is without a director, as opposed to the prospect of hiring a director and then deciding to end the contract in June.

"If we’re going to restructure it, this is the time to do it," said Harris.

In Monday’s budget meeting, the motion to end the contract was tied in a 2-2 vote. Harris that he would propose an amendment to his motion, allowing the contract to expire in June instead of prompting an early termination.

Master Gardener Deadline Approaches.

This year’s Master Gardener course begins January 29. The deadline to register for the course is January 11. Persons who wish to become Master Gardeners are required to attend 30 hours of training, and agree to return 30 hours of service during the following year. The fee is $115 but thanks to the Ozark Gateway Master Gardener organization, the cost to enroll is $75.

Those who have not received an application can request one by calling the University of Missouri Extension in Carthage at 417-358-2158.

Stench Report:

Tuesday,
1/9/07

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

It’s odd how kids can do things ever’day and not have any fancy words for it but somehow they get things done.

Kids are good at puttin’ together a consensus. A plan of action that ever’one can go along with and feel like it’s worthwhile.

Playin’ baseball out in the open field, there were often circumstances that the regular "big league" rules just couldn’t address. Most of the time we didn’t have enough players that were of equal ability so we had ta come up with ways ta let the younger players play ta make a game.

The fact is, consensus comes from the need to get somethin’ accomplished that’s to ever’one’s benefit. If it wasn’t for that, nobody’d prob’ly agree on anything.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

• If you get a scratch on a white enamel sink or other white enamel surface, try touching it up with white fingernail polish.

• "My family collects coins for charities. At the beginning of the year, we pick a cause or charity and then start collecting pennies. We have a great big jar in the entryway, and whoever has pennies drops them into the jar on the way into the house. At the end of the year, we count and package them, take them to the bank and give the money to a charity. We are teaching our kids to give, and it’s fun to watch the ‘balance’ grow!" -- W.O. in Alabama

• "If you still have one of those toilet-brush holders in your bathroom, try this: Splash a tiny bit of bleach in the holder to keep the brush free of germs between cleanings." -- B.H. in Illinois

(Great tip, but make sure that you NEVER clean the toilet with any cleaner containing ammonia.)

• "There are lots of ways to make room in kitchen cabinets. Try these tricks for pots and pans. Use wire bins that fit into a cabinet to store pot lids on their sides. You can also use a wire bin in the same manner to store cookie sheets." --- A reader, via e-mail

• "I love tea with a little honey in it, especially on a cold night. If you keep your honey near the stove, you can make sure it stays nice and gooey. If it gets too cold, it can crystallize." -- D.D. in Michigan

• "To deodorize smelly shoes, I fill the shoes with cat litter and leave them for a day or so. Shake them out and BAM, the stink has disappeared." -- P.C. in Arizona