Grandfathering of Memorial Hall Fees Dies.

A resolution designed to establish the grand-fathering of fees for Memorial Hall died for lack of a motion to approve during Tuesday evening's City Council meeting.

Members of the Public Service committee submitted a resolution which would develop a grandfathering system and conditions of the use of Memorial Hall, after two non-profit organizations, the Rebekah Lodge and the Duplicate Bridge approached them concerning the Hall's new fee structure. The groups wanted to remain at their present fee rate, rather than the new increases.

Currently the Rebekah Lodge pays $10 per meeting while the Duplicate Bridge club pays $15. Under the new fee structure, both organizations would pay $25 per meeting.

Council Member Jackie Boyer proposed an amendment to the resolution, stating that it would be in effect until the proposed renovations of the Hall are completed.

"Once the renovations take place, there will be meeting areas that will be available to groups like this at no charge," explained Boyer. "I do not want this to be an ongoing and forever (grandfathering) and I do not want to open up the doorway for organizations that have larger and more expensive use of the hall."

Boyer said she was simply in favor of grandfathering in the non-profit organizations, who have paid a minimal fee in the past for a reservation.

However, not all Council Members were in favor of the resolution in any form.

"I am totally opposed to this resolution," explained Council Member Art Dunaway. "The reason being, you are going to have the possibility of seven new lease holders coming, if you build the new memorial hall. "Now are we going to turn around the next time we increase the rent, 'oh, let's come back and do another grandfather clause if somebody puts up a little hassle?"

Dunaway also questioned the current rent the two organizations in question.

"As Mrs. Boyer has stated, the rent is insignificant to the amount of usage," he said. "Now if we are going to do something (the renovations), we've got to have income to make this thing work."

Council Member Charlie Bastian asked for a clarification on what groups would be effected by this resolution. According to City Administrator Tom Short, These two organizations are the only ones currently under consideration.

Council Member Mike Harris questioned what would happen if other groups requested to be grandfathered from future rate increases. Harris said that he would find it difficult to reject future requests, even on a case by case basis, if the Council opened the door to grandfathering of fees in this situation.

Council Member Bill Fortune said he was afraid the Council would begin to set a bad precedent with the grandfathering of rate increases.

Boyer's amendment to the proposed resolution failed by a 6 to 3 vote (with Council Member J.D. Whitledge absent).

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Conversation popped up the other night that brought up thing that make ya feel a little over the hill. Simple things like knowin' what it means when someone on tv says "don't touch that dial." When's the last time ya saw a dial on a tv? Another was a slide rule, anyone use one a those lately?

I've heard several comments recently about how kids are amazed by phonograph records. Imagine how crude a record player seems to someone who has known nothin' but cassette tapes and CD's. An eight track tape or a 45 with that big hole in the middle must really look strange.

There is some satisfaction in the knowledge that a good portion of kids now don't remember the 5 1/2 inch computer floppy disk of only six or eight years ago. Puts a whole new twist on the knowledge that comes with maturity.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click and Clack Talk Cars.

Dear Tom and Ray:

It ain't genetic, so what is it? My daughter and I both have manual transmission cars, but she is a confirmed "early shifter." She goes into fourth gear at about 2,500 rpm, while I go into fourth at about 1,500.

I taught her to drive about 30 years ago. She married a guy who is a late shifter. So please tell me who is being more engine-considerate, and how you account for this difference between us. -Jason

RAY: Well, Jason, just be glad that she isn't like my brother. He's completely "shift-less"!

TOM: I don't think either one of you is being inconsiderate to your engine, Jason. The truth is, by shifting earlier, all your doing is trading off some acceleration for some fuel economy. Based on your description, neither one of you could be described as a bona fide "motor wrecker."

RAY: Shifting up at 2,500 rpm, as your daughter does, is well within the acceptable range of engine speeds. In fact, most manufacturers probably would recommend shifting somewhere between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. So we can't criticize her at all.

TOM: If she were constantly shifting at 4,500 rpm, then she'd be subjecting the engine and clutch to some excessive wear and tear. But she's nowhere close to that.

RAY: And your earlier shifting is mostly fine, too, and even saves you some gasoline. But believe it or not, you're actually in more danger of being "engine-inconsiderate" than she is. While shifting at 1,500 is fine on flat roads under moderate acceleration, you have to be careful not to shift too early, or you'll "lug the engine."

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