Today's Feature

Duncan Named Interim Chief.

Carthage Police Lieutenant Barry Duncan has been named Interim Police Chief according to Mayor Jim Woestman in an announcement late last week.

Duncan has been with the Carthage Police department for 30 years. He was hired on December 23 of 1977. He was promoted to Detective in 1980. In 1982 he was promoted to Sergeant and then promoted to Lieutenant in the same year.

Dennis Veach, current Police Chief, announced in October that he would be leaving his position for an opportunity to become Chief of Police in Sachse, Texas. Veach’s last day will be November 14th.

Public Services Meets Tonight.

The City Council Public Services committee will meet this evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Parks Department Building at Municipal Park. The committee is scheduled to discuss the possibility of making the ball fields at Fair Acres a non-smoking venue. The idea was presented at the previous committee meeting by Carthage Little League President Jeff Jones. The committee decided that more research would need to be done prior to recommending anything to City Council.

The only way a system can work to ever’one’s benefit is if we all know what’s goin’ on so we can get past the stink.

It’s kinda like the two guys in the asylum, watchin’ the farmer spread manure.

"What ya doin’?" one yelled to the farmer.

"Spreadin’ manure on my strawberries," called back the farmer.

"And they think we’re nuts," said one inmate to the other, "I wonder if he’s ever tried cream and sugar?"

As you’re readin’ the Mornin’ Mail (while you enjoy your strawberries, however you like ‘em), don’t always assume that the folks stirrin’ up the fertilizer are doin’ it just ‘cause they like the smell.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

Insulation R-Value

Q: I read in a column of yours that home insulation should have a "proper R-value." What does that mean? -- Doris L., Pittsburgh

A: R-value refers to the level of resistance to heat flow that insulation -- from fiberglass attic insulation to pipe wrap -- provides. Heat, of course, tends to radiate outward and upward, and in the winter especially, one wants to control how much of that heat escapes from the home and the water supply.

So, when choosing the type of insulation, the R-value is a more important consideration than the thickness or thinness of the insulating material. More is not necessarily better when it comes to home insulation. The R-value, the type of insulating material and how it is used are the deciding factors in effective insulation that keeps a home comfortable and pushes energy costs down.

What’s the best R-value for your home? The first thing to find out is the value required for your climate zone. U.S. building codes require a minimum R-value insulation for homes -- in most zones, the value for, say, insulative wall sheathing is R-11.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Building Envelope and Materials Program offers a very informative Web site with information on all types of home insulation. Its fact sheet on insulation can be found at http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/facts/index.htm. Included in the HTML version of this fact sheet is a handy calculator called Zip-Code, which gives the recommended R-value for insulation -- and the estimated cost of installation -- depending on where you live, what part of the house you need to insulate and what type of heating system you use. Read through the contents to learn about home insulation, the best ways to install it and whether you can install certain types of insulation yourself or should hire a contractor to do the job.

HOME TIP: Quality insulation materials have a clearly stated R-value as well as details on the type of material, how it should be used and safety instructions. Check the labels before purchasing insulation.