Two Incentive Plans Delayed.

Discussion at the Public Works meeting Tuesday evening ended in derailing proposed incentive programs which would have set aside $100,000 from City reserves for reimbursements to developers for the costs of curb and guttering and another $100,000 for reimbursements for street paving.

City Administrator Tom Short pointed to the proposed City incentive programs as a means of stimulating development of affordable housing, an identified need in Carthage, without adding any cost to the homeowner.

"Why should other citizens be burdened by the cost of improvements which benefit only a few?" asked Council Member Lujene Clark.

Clark pointed out that during previous discussions concerning City funding of curb and guttering for the Precious Moments development she found another source of funding, Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NID).

"Now are we telling them and other developers, don’t bother with those things because the City will fund you?" asked Committee Member Jackie Boyer. "We are not encouraging them to seek NID funding if we put this in place."

According to Clark, the NID funding available for such projects allows those who benefit from the improvements to bear the cost rather than all taxpayers. Homeowners involved in the project are assessed over a period of years, and Clark says the cost is usually negligible.

During discussion of whether the City should offer a reimbursement program, Assistant to the City Engineer Joe Butler pointed out that the City has an existing ordinance which allows for reimbursement to developers for curbs and guttering if money is available in the budget. According to Butler, the plans under discussion would simply amend that ordinance and fund it.

The amendment would make the ordinance more restrictive with language specifying reimbursement to occur only when lots along the street in question are "fully developed, i.e., habitable."

An accompanying resolution makes available $100,000 from City reserves to fund the curb and guttering program, specifies a limit of $40,000 per developer per year and sets the termination of the program at June 30, 1998 or upon the expenditure of the funds, whichever occurs first. Another resolution sets the same parameters for the paving incentive program.

After receiving input and guidance from the Committee, the Engineering Department planned to include these two programs in a package of incentive programs to be discussed at a public hearing.

"I think If we vote to make changes on this now, we’re sending the message that we have the money, and we don’t have the money and we may not put it aside, either," said Boyer.

Boyer continued that amendments and resolutions were not necessary if the program is not going to be funded and recommended that such incentive plans, if adopted, be budgeted on a yearly basis during the budget process. She moved to set the proposals aside for discussion in the Budget Committee.

"This might be a good idea, but I think this needs to be looked at in light of the budget," Committee Chair Bill Fortune agreed.

The Committee voted unanimously to delay both incentive programs pending budget discussions.

Short expects the Committee will consider the programs at a later date in conjunction with Budget Committee recommendations.

The Committee commented briefly on other programs in the planned incentive package, the sewer line extension and water main extension recoupment policies. The sewer recoup plan is ready to be presented to developers and other interested parties. Butler reported that CW&EP is still considering a water main extension recoupment policy.

Buyer’s Guide For Outpatient Procedures

Release by Sen. Marvin Singleton

In 1992, SB 775 required the Missouri Department of Health to compile data and publish "The Buyer’s Guide For Outpatient Procedures." The legislation, which was amended onto HB 1574, SB 721, and SB 796 to assure passage, was adopted by lawmakers and signed into law. The publication is being distributed by the Department of Health across the state.

A companion publication, "The Buyer’s Guide For Hospital Emergency Services" was also released by the Department of Health to better inform health care consumers. This guide reviews and evaluates several different services, including pediatric capabilities, length of time patients had to wait for treatment, full-time availability of physicians, formal transfer agreements to higher-level facilities and patient satisfaction with emergency room care.

"This guide gives consumers a comparison of emergency services available from different facilities in different regions of the state," Singleton said. "It makes information available in a useful format that will benefit citizens and health care providers alike."

The guides are available from the Department of Health at a nominal cost so that Missouri taxpayers would not be burdened with the costs of producing this publication. Citizens wanting more information on these publications and the information they contain may call the department at 573-751-6279.

If you have any comments or questions, Sen. Singleton can be reached at his office in Jefferson City - State Capitol, Room 426, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101, 573-751-2306, msingl01@services.state.mo.us.

Dear Ruth

Release by Stone’s Throw Community Theatre

Norman Krasna’s two-act romantic W. W. II comedy, "Dear Ruth," is the St. Valentine’s holiday offering at Stone’s Throw Community Theatre, located just west of Carthage on Old Highway 66 at 796 South Stone Lane. Special "St. Valentine’s Day" ticket prices are in effect for all performances.

The Broadway hit, called by its New York City publisher "one of our most popular community theatre offerings ever," opened Thursday, February 5, for a seven performance run.

"Dear Ruth" plays February 6-7 and February 12-15 at Stone’s Throw. All but one are evening performances with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. The performance Sunday, February 15, is a matinee, with dinner served at 1 p.m. Prepaid reservations are required, with tickets for all adults $14.00 for this production. Tickets for all students 20 and under are $12.00. Reservations are confirmed by season membership number, or by credit card number and expiration date. Those paying by check may do so by mail or by dropping by the theatre. The box office, 358-9665, is open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"Dear Ruth" is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York City, and is funded in part by Missouri Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.

"Call me cantankerous," Lujene Clark told the Council last week. So we will. Cantankerous Clark.

As Chair of the Finance/Personnel Committee, Cantankerous Clark has led the way to several cost cutting measures. Some popular, some not. She is currently buttin’ heads with SWBell over a nearly $9,000 installation charge for a new phone system. A worthy opponent no doubt.

She has also taken on some relatively small discrepancies such as a $1.69 breakfast biscuit and a couple a hundred dollars for caps and t-shirts.

Her latest Cantankerous action was ta move to not pay an adjustment of around five hundred bucks on a $6,000 contract to remove the fuel tanks from the Myers Park property. The Council agreed with CC.

With the April elections comin’, there may be more emphasis on the self-proclaimed title of Cantankerous Clark. "CC, oh see what you have done."

This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

What is it about garlic? Garlic has been the subject of many studies over the past centuries either through observation techniques or though scientific procedures.

In the original Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss, he states that garlic probably originated in central Asia, is cultivated in many countries and grows wild in Italy and southern Europe. It was given to the slaves building the pyramids to increase their stamina and strength and to protect them from disease. It was used as a preventative against cholera, typhoid fever, and amebic dysentery. "Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used garlic as a laxative, a diuretic, for tumors of the uterus, leprosy, epilepsy, chest pains, toothaches, and for wounds incurred during battle. Aristotle also mentions the value of garlic and Aristophanes used garlic as a treatment for impotence."

During both World Wars it was used as an antibacterial and strong disinfectant. A dilution with water was used to kill the germs which caused cholera and typhoid fever. In 1989 it was described as a "Designer Food," the odor had been removed and it had become a much more acceptable form of treatment for all forms of ailments form high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease to the prevention of colds and flu. It has been used in the elimination of pinworms in children, as well as adults.

Herbert Peirson, Ph.D., formerly of the National Caner Institute and now with the Preventive Nutrition Consultants stated, "Several different studies have shown a link between garlic and lower incidences of stomach cancer. Another study shows lower rates of colon/rectal cancer." He added that garlic seems to enhance the immune system.

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