| Today's Feature Continued Debate on Commissioner's
Raise.
The question of whether the
Jasper County Associate Commissioners should take
a $15,350 annual raise on January 1, 1999 was
again addressed during the regular Thursday
morning Commissioners' Meeting yesterday at the
Carthage Jasper County Courthouse.
County Counselor Jim Spradling
stood by his earlier opinion that the raises were
contrary to the Missouri Constitution. According
to Spradling's opinion the raises should not take
place until the next term of office for the
Associate positions.
"The more I look into
this," Spradling told the Mornin' Mail,
"the more I'm convinced."
Minutes obtained by Western
District Commissioner Ana Ruth Crampton of a 1996
meeting of the Cape Girardeau County Commission
seem to support Spradling's conclusions. In the
document, supplied to the Mornin' Mail by
Crampton, the following quote is made by the
Commission's legal advisor, Morley Swingle,
during that 1996 meeting:
"The County Commission had
asked me to do some legal research on whether or
not if we pass the pay raises for the positions
as they become first class, when they become
effective. The constitution clearly says we
cannot have office holders voting raises for
themselves during the term they are in. The one
time it was allowed was when the constitution was
amended back in 1989 when this was setup, but
from that point on we cannot do it. My conclusion
was that the raises have to take effect after an
intervening election."
Jasper County Counselor
Spradling also clarified a statement by
Commissioner Ben Johnson quoted in the Carthage
evening paper. Johnson was quoted as saying
Spradling had said the Associate Commissioner's
raises were legal. Spradling told the Mail
that Johnson was mistaken.
Spradling has taken to carrying
a notebook that contains all written
correspondence about the matter. This
correspondence shows that Spradling has
consistently stated that the Associate raises go
against the constitution.
The intensity of the debate is
heightened by the fact that the proposed 1999
county expenditures are $1.8 million more than
projected revenues. All County Officials have
been asked to trim their budget requests to
reduce the difference. Presiding Commissioner
Danny Hensley has stated that expenditures need
to be reduced by at least another $1 million
before the January 10, 1999 approval deadline.
Home Holiday Lighting Contest.
news release Carthage
Chamber of Commerce
The Carthage Chamber of
Commerce is sponsoring a Home Holiday Lighting
Contest. Any home within the 64836 zip code is
eligible to participate.
Entry forms may be picked up at
the Chamber office, 107 East Third, and must be
returned by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11.
Judging will take place on
Wednesday, December 16, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Four categories; creativity, effort, seasonal
emphasis, and aesthetic value, will be scored
from 1 to 10 points each.
Seven judges will determine
three winning entries. A sign will be placed on
the yard of each winning selection.
First place will receive $100,
second will receive $50, and third will receive
$25.
Holiday Dinner & Lighting
Tour.
On Thursday, Dec. 10 and
Saturday, December 12, the Carthage Chamber of
Commerce will again offer an evening of charm,
elegance, and unique entertainment.
Beginning at 6 p.m. each
evening, there will be music and dining at the
historic Phelps House.
Following a dinner of Prime
Rib, with all the trimmings, there will be a tour
on the English double-decker bus of the city's
Christmas lights, and a special viewing of
"A Century Of Christmas Lights In
Carthage" at the Power's Museum.
Cost for the evening will be
$25 per person. Reservations must be made by
Friday, Dec. 4.
Call the Chamber office, at
(417 358-2373) or come by 107 East Third and make
your reservation for this very special event.
Jerry Ellis Tonight At The
Geranium House
by Robin Putnam, artCentral
Tonight is one night at the
Geranium House you really shouldn't miss!! We are
going to be showing the paintings of one of this
country's leading regionalist painters!! Not real
sure what that mean? It means Jerry Ellis!! It
means..he is a top artist in the US! It means he
is well known for his own unique style..a style
that enhances and embraces the beauty of the
Ozarks!! And as most of us know...he has done a
lot of fantastic paintings of our own little
town!!
Jerry will have all original
paintings in this show and as per our usual
arrangement with our members he will have (and
has had for months!) a lot of prints in our print
room.
AND...as we've said before.we
will be offering the Jerry Ellis prints of our
beloved Geranium House at a special price for
this evening only!! During tonight's reception
you can get a membership and a Geranium House
print for only $50!! For those wonderful folks
who are already one of our treasured members the
print can be purchased for a mere $35!! After
tonight the prints will be $50 each...no extras
included.
So....you've seen Jerry's
paintings before...but guess what? He is also a
top selling artist!! That means he is always
painting..always showing new works!! Have you
seen his newest works...paintings with a new
technique!! If you didn't go to Brushstrokes then
you haven't seen all that Jerry has to offer!!
AND if it's not enough that he
has the most fantastic paintings around..he also
has done all the matting and framing on his
pieces!! We're talking one talented guy!! And he
is also a very nice person. You don't always have
an opportunity to meet and visit with artists and
tonight is your chance!!
Come on out, visit with Jerry
and the rest of the great people..check out one
of the greatest, self-taught (and WAY supportive
of artCentral) artists in the area!! We're sure
you will enjoy yourself!! You can go to Joplin or
whereever AFTER you stop in here!! Remember..this
is our last show in the Geranium House! We will
keep Jerry's paintings up until December 31st.
Anyone wanting to come out but
their other half think art isn't exactly their
idea of fun..well..we will have some great food,
too!! Tonight we are serving some of the best
hors d'oeurves ever sampled at the Geranium
House!! Grilled Lemon-Pepper Salmon with Chive
Cream, Sauteed Mushrooms on Sourdough Crisps and
Kentucky Beer Cheese with Crackers and Fresh
Veggies!! We also offer a wide variety of
beverages to accompany these delectable treats!!
See..we have something for everyone!! Great
art...great friends..and great food!! It's also
great fun!! We hope to see you there!! The
Geranium House..tonight...6 p.m.-8p.m.
You know what they
say.."Just do it...Be there or be
square...Later alligator...yadda, yadda,
yadda"!!
More..........next week!!
|
