Significant Considerations.

Tonight’s Council Meeting will be the last full meeting for Mayor Riley and resigning Council member Bill Johnson. The new Mayor and newly elected Council members will be sworn in and assume duties during the second half of the next Council meeting on April 14.

The agenda for this evening’s meeting in City Hall includes several items that have created some interest among observers.

In first reading is the ordinance authorizing an agreement with the 71A Partnership which would allow half of any new sales tax created within the development to be applied toward the estimated $700,000 cost of infrastructure improvements for the project.

City Administrator Tom Short says the agreement is a good one for the City. Under the plan, 71A Partnership will pay for improvements and be reimbursed as sales tax is generated. If the projected sales tax revenue is not generated over the fifteen year term of the agreement, the City will not be further obligated. That situation not only keeps the City from paying for the infrastructure, some feel it puts in place an incentive for the 71A Partnership to get the development up and running.

The proposal presented to the Council indicates that the developers hope to attract several restaurants, some motels, and office buildings to the acreage that fronts Highway 71 at the southeast corner of the HH interchange.

The long awaited ordinance to begin renovations on the sidewalk mall leading from the south side of the Square will also be in first reading tonight. The passage way between Fourth Street and Fifth Street directly south of the Courthouse has been fenced off for over a year because of concerns of City liability.

A contract of just under $80,000 for the renovation would include resurfacing the walkway with a textured finish, adding water outlets, and some lighting and planters. There has been some opposition to this ordinance in committee discussions by Council members. Third Ward J.D. Whitledge has argued that the funds should be used for other sidewalk improvements.

Council members will also get the opportunity to see an increase of monthly entitled expenses for the first time in several years. An ordinance submitted by outgoing member Bill Johnson would raise council members’ monthly expense check from $50 to $75. Johnson says that it’s been close to fourteen years since the last increase for Council members was approved.

Donation Received in Honor of Dorothy Ann Greenwood

Press release by Carthage Chamber of Commerce

Dorothy Ann Greenwood, owner of Poor Richards, and Greenwood Bros. Plastering, was selected to receive the Sam Walton Business Leader Award. She was presented an award at the Chamber's annual banquet in January.

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce recently received a $500.00 grant in her name. Ms. Greenwood was also presented with a "Sam Walton Business Leader Award" certificate on behalf of the local Wal-Mart manager, Mark Lashley, at the Chamber office.

"The Sam Walton Business Leader Award is to recognize local business people who best exemplify the principles of Sam Walton, its late founder. Sam built his business on three principles: dedication to customer service, respect for the individual, and striving for excellence," commented Heather Kelly, Executive Director of the Carthage Chamber.

Ms. Kelly also expressed her appreciation for the grant received from Wal-Mart, and offered her congratulations to Ms. Greenwood.

Ms. Greenwood was one of more than 650 business people in Wal-Mart and Sam's Club communities around the country who were selected by their local Chambers of Commerce to receive the award.

Participating Chambers received a total of more $325,000 grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation as part of the awards program.

Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation Seminar

Release from McCune-Brooks Health Care Foundation

An Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation Seminar will be presented on Monday, March 30, 1998 at the Carthage High School Auditorium at 7:00 P.M. This event is sponsored by the Family Acres Family YMCA Endowment Fund, the McCune-Brooks Health Care Foundation, Inc. and the Carthage R-9 Foundation as a public service to the community.

The seminar will feature Duane Lawellin, retired CEO/President of the Trust Department at Mercantile (First National) Bank in Joplin, MO. Mr. Lawellin is a Certified Public Accountant.

For more information or to make reservations, please call 358-1070 or 359-7000.

Good Time Variety Show

The Good Time Variety Show will take place at the Carthage Senior High School Auditorium Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, 1998.

The Variety Show will feature comedy acts, vocals, dancers, musicians, and more. Volunteers are needed to help with the event in a variety of ways.

For more information or if you would like to volunteer your time, please contact the McCune-Brooks Health Care Foundation at 358-8988.

Watercolor by Jerry Ellis

A drawing for an original painting by Jerry Ellis will be held Saturday, April 25, 1998.

Tickets for the drawing are available at Mc-Cune Brooks Hospital, Imagine Gallery of Fine Art, Second Street Gallery, SMB Bank and UMB Bank. Suggested donation per ticket is $5.00. Proceeds from the drawing will benefit the Mc-Cune Brooks Health Care Foundation.

The original will be on display at the UMB Bank through March 27.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

If ya happened to be aware of the discussions durin’ the last Public Works Committee meetin’, ya might a noticed that the front page story we ran yesterday was a month or two old. The story was on the idea of placin’ a large sign in front of a house on Jersey that was in poor condition. Since the story was written, the house has been demolished.

The article was inadvertently placed from a computer file. With all the help we get from the magic of computers, they can facilitate problems from time to time.

I’m not puttin’ off the blame on electronic filin’, the same thing could a happened if the story had been typed or handwritten. It’s just more likely that the paper version woulda been tossed in the "done" file or had a date scribbled across it.

I suppose mistakes only reinforce the thinkin’ that computers can’t ever completely replace a warm body actually makin’ sense of the digital realm.

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

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

The Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons also a warning for in-line skaters: Don’t depend on your wrist guards to prevent fractures.

It appears that while wrist guards can help protect against scrapes and abrasions, fractures can still occur.

Orthopaedic surgeons have several tips for in-line skaters to help them prevent the accidents that can lead to fractures:

1) Learn the basics of the sport, especially how to stop properly, before going into vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

2) Wear all your protective gear, including a helmet, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads.

3) If you feel you’re going to fall while skating, try to fall on your left or right side instead of on an outstretched hand.

4) Do warm up exercises before skating, and warm-down exercises afterward.

5) Obey traffic signals; stay at the right side of the road; do not weave in and out of lanes; don’t skate in crowded walkways.

NOTE: Some over-the-counter medications may contain substances to which you are allergic. Read labels carefully and check with the pharmacist if you don’t recognize an ingredient.

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