Aged Tree Prevails.

The City Council was presented Tuesday evening with a site plan for an additional fairgrounds building. The plan calls for the removal of a White Oak tree, 31 inches in girth, estimated to be 100-300 years old according to research by Council Member Larry Ross. Public Service Chair J.D. Whitledge supported the proposed site.

Ross, who has vehemently opposed the removal of the tree "older than the Civil War," suggested investigating the possibility of an alternate building site. Before a motion to accept the plan as presented was voted, Whitledge commented that removing the tree was a, "Minimal amount of sacrifice for progress."

The motion was defeated 7-3. Voting for: Whitledge, Boyer and Stearnes; Opposed: Harris, Ross, Bastin, Fortune, Dunaway, Brewer and Harlan.

Resolutions, praise and plaques for devoted service were given to outgoing Council members Donna Harlan and Mike Harris. New Council members, Lujene Clark, H.J. Johnson, and reelected incumbent Council Members Charlie Bastin, J.D. Whitledge and Art Dunaway were sworn in. Whitledge was unanimously elected as Mayor Pro Tem for the new term.

The Council approved a motion to turn the City Christmas lights on the Friday following Thanksgiving Day evening every year as a ‘same day’ policy will help in the promotion of tourism.

The City Wide Garage Sale will be held May 1st and American Disposal set the City Wide Clean-Up Day for the following Saturday, May 8th.

The Finance Committee convened briefly at 4 o’clock before the Council meeting to discuss salary levels and per diem expenses. Tom Short, City Administrator, agreed to submit a revised expense plan for the next meeting.

In other business, the standardization of pay raises for all City employees was discussed. It was brought to the attention of the Committee that the City and former administration for Parks and Recreation used different formulas for establishing the date a pay increase was effective. The Committee agreed unanimously that the same formula should be applied to all City employees regardless of hire date or position. The full Council approved the recommendation during their regular meeting.

Council Committee Assignment

Mayor Kenneth Johnson appointed the following Council members to the various Council Committees during Tuesday’s regular meeting. The members will serve at these positions for one year.

Budget Ways & Means

Jackie Boyer, Chair

Art Dunaway, Vice Chair

Larry Ross

Bill Fortune

Financial/Personnel Administration

Art dunaway, Co-Chair

Lujene Clark, Co-Chair

Don Stearnes

Trisha Burgi-Brewer

Public Services

J.D. Whitledge, Chair

Larry Ross, Vice Chair

Don Stearnes

Jackie Boyer

Public Safety

Charlie Bastin, Chair

J.D. Whitledge, Vice Chair

H.J. Johnson

Lujene Clark

Public Works

William Fortune, Chair

Trisha Burgi-Brewer, Vice Chair

Charlie Bastin

H.J. Johnson

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

If there was ever a reason to show up at a meetin’ and state your mind, it will be on May 4 when the Post Office folks come. They are wantin’ some public input as to where we want the Carthage Post Office to be located.

Now keep in mind there is a lot of decision makers involved and the local postal workers most likely don't have a lot of pull here, so don’t delay your postman with your opinion and slow down deliveries.

The thing ta do is show up at the meeting and politely let your desires be known. One plan I’ve heard that’s bein’ investigated is to move the office just outside City limits. I personally like the office where it is, but I’ll be there ta let ‘em know that. I’ll be remindin’ ya close to the meetin’.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click and Clack Talk Cars.

Dear Tom and Ray:

Something that looks like blakc soot forms on my wheels - especially the front ones. I own a '96 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with 16 inch polished aluminum gold-painted accent wheels.

They are sort of "waffle-style," with lots of cracks and crevices for this stuff to stick between, which makes them a real challenge to clean.

My wife has a '95 Honda Accord with fancy aluminum wheels, and it has the same problem. How come I don't remember seeing cars with this problem years ago? Is this because of the materials they're making brakes out of now? -Guan

TOM: It's brake dust, Guan. and it's not a new phenomenon. The reason you see more of it now is because of all of those fancy "waffle style" wheels on the road.

RAY: Most cars used to have wheel covers, which kept the brake dust contained and out of sight. But wheel covers have fallen out of fashion. And now alloy wheels with slots and spokes and holes are all the rage, not only because people think they look nice, but because they weigh less and let more air in, which provides better cooling for the brakes. The downside is that those same holes which let air in, let brake dust out.

TOM: The stuff is harmless, Guan. At least to your car. I mean, I wouldn't sprinkle any on your cornflakes or anything.

But aside from the all-important aesthetic considerations, it's nothing to worry about.

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