One Item Agenda for the Council.

The second reading of an ordinance to establish a special permit category for nonprofit organizations is the lone item on the agenda for tomorrow night's regular Council meeting. The change would allow artCentral to apply for the permit to use the Hyde house on 13th Street as their headquarters.

A separate ordinance allowing the permit would be required after a recommendation was received from the Planning, Zoning, and Historic Preservation Commission. As with all such permits, a public hearing would be required.

Special Use Permits are currently issued to bed and breakfasts, day care centers, and nursing homes among others. The permits allow a such businesses to operate in residential zoning. The permits can be revoked by the Council if the operation becomes a nuisance to the neighborhood.

The proposed permit would be issued only to the business and not go with the property. This protects neighbors if another entity would at some point in time take over the structure. art Central plans to vacate their Red Oak II location after the first of the year.

Tree Seedling Distribution.

The Jasper County Outreach and Extension Center now has Missouri Department of Conservation order forms for seedling trees and shrubs. The George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking, MO., offers Missouri residents a variety of seedlings for wildlife habitant, food and cover; reforestation; windbreaks and erosion control. The application lists the species that are available and the price. It also outlines the ordering procedure.

In addition to individual species choices, several bundles of mixed species, designed for special purpose planting, may be purchased. These include a wildlife cover bundle, a conservation bundle and two naturescaping bundles.

It is important to place orders as soon as possible because reservations for trees are made on a "first-come, first serve" basis. The time you place your order - not the delivery date - determines your priority for reserving trees. A few species may not be available this year. So, to be sure of getting the species desired, order now. Trees will be delivered by purchaser's choice of one or two methods: 1) Free shipment by commercial carrier.

2) Purchaser may pick up trees at the George White Nursery near Licking, MO.

Persons planning to make large plantings may wish to request free advice from the Missouri Department of Conservation Forester or Wildlife Services Biologist for their area. These individuals may be contacted through the Missouri Department of Conservation District Office, Neosho or by writing directly to State Forester, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

University of Missouri Guide Sheets: G5008 "How to Plant Forest Trees", G5006 "Before You Order Tree Seedlings", G5900 "Planting Tree Windbreaks in Missouri" and G5009 "Mechanical Tree Planting" are among those available at the University Outreach and Extension Center located in the Courthouse Basement, Carthage MO or call 417-358-2158.

Diabetes Support Group.

The Diabetes Support Group will meet on Wed, Nov. 25 from 4-5 p.m. in the dining room of McCune-Brooks Hospital Carthage.

This month Debbie Herbst, RD will talk about "Happy, Healthy Holiday Eating!". She will also talk about recipe modification and how traditional foods can fit into the meal plan.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome to attend and bring a friend. For more information call Kathy Anderson at 417-237-7233. If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please notify Kathy Anderson at the time of registration or at least 48 hours prior to the date of the program.

Commentary

Bubs Hohulin

State Representative District 126

You would think I would enjoy writing this week’s column. After all, this would be the perfect chance to say, "see, I told you so". However, I really hate seeing your money misspent. During the eight years I have been in office I have gained a reputation for being tight with taxpayers’ money.

It is a label I wear with pride. I have always said we take in more than enough of your money. The problem is that we waste too much of it either on overspending or on programs that don’t work.

What I am leading up to is the announcement last week that the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDot), along with Governor Carnahan’s blessing, has scrapped the 15 Year Plan that was passed in 1992. Back in 1992 MoDot came to the Legislature and asked for a six cent increase in the state gas tax. In return, specific projects were promised over a 15 year period.

Early on I decided to vote against the tax increase because of what I saw as spending that was already wasteful. When I saw how we were wasting money on a wide range of items in the budget, I decided I would not ever vote for a tax increase until we were able to get a handle on reining in spending. As a side note, since Governor Carnahan took office in 1992 the budget for the state has increased almost 100%, from 8 BILLION to over 15 BILLION dollars. Do you think you are getting twice as much service for your money?

Anyway, the original price tag for the 15 Year Plan was $15 billion. Last year we were told the Plan was under funded by $14 billion. We were told that a tax increase would be needed to salvage the Plan. I couldn’t help but wonder why, when an agency was off in their estimates by $14 billion, would we give them even more money. MoDot and Governor Carnahan tried to get a sales tax increase passed for transportation as well as using your Hancock refunds for transportation. Both measures went nowhere and I guess as retaliation the Plan has been scrapped. The most frustrating thing is that stories keep changing. Now we are told the Plan is off by $19 billion. Yet, we will be getting $256 million MORE from the Federal Government than what MoDot was counting on in 1992 and state gas tax revenues are exceeding the 1992 estimates. Where has the money gone?

What I am about to say next is strictly speculation on my part. I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t all a big excuse to divert money to the cities. The reason I say this is that MoDot has released a new list of priorities and construction is not on the list. Instead, now they are preservation, safety, congestion relief, connectivity, operational efficiency, economic development, and non-motorized options. Read between the lines and it points to spending on administration and mass transit projects. Most all of the mass transit projects are in the cities with very few in rural areas. This is going to be hard to undo, since we have no control over the money going to MoDot. It stands appropriated by Constitution, but we will be looking at ways to hold the agency accountable.

As usual, I can be reached at 1-800-878-7126 or House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments, or advice.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

The City will officially turn on its Christmas lights this Friday, after Thanksgiving. As far as I know there will be no official ceremony or fanfare. The beginning of the Christmas season will simply settle into the night and quietly remain for the duration.

The irony of the method of used this year to bring the full compliment of lights up to speed, ever'one turnin' on when they please, is that no real direction is achieved.

As the few lights here, and a bunch over there or yonder came on, the opportunity for promoting any idea or ideals became diluted. The result was a big nothin' for any particular position. I don't suppose there has ta be a big splash when the lights go on, it just seems a shame to waste the opportunity to bring the community together for a few shining moments.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

STAYING QUIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS: The stretch between Christmas and New Year’s Day can be the most difficult period for you if you’re an ex smoker. This is especially true if you quit the habit relatively recently. There are all the holiday pressures that used to give you an excuse to take a so-called relaxing puff. There are parties and get togethers where someone is bound to light up and send temptation coiling around your nose. But you don’t have to give in. The American Cancer Society has several tips that can help you stay off the cigarettes.

First, take things one day at a time. Each morning, wake up with a positive attitude and a promise you won’t smoke that day.

Second, picture success. Think about stressful situations you might have and imagine dealing with them without lighting up.

Third, take a breather. Relaxation exercises help relieve urges to smoke. Take a deep breath, hold it a second, then release it very slowly. (Remember, urges to smoke are temporary.) Work out. Exercise, such as swimming, running, and racket sports help relieve tension and your urge to smoke. (P.S. Exercising before eating a typical holiday meal will help you metabolize those calories more efficiently.)

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