Postponed Decision on Courthouse Vendors.

During Thursday's County Commission meeting, Commissioners decided to again postpone a decision about allowing venders within the Carthage and Joplin Courthouses.

With only two County office holders present to present opinions on this issue, Acting Presiding Commissioner, Ben Johnson and Western County Commissioner Anna Ruth Crampton decided to wait a few weeks, until making a final decision.

Presiding County Commissioner Danny Hensley and County Counselor James Spradling were absent from the meeting.

County Recorder Edie Swingle Neil, informed the Commissioners that she is in favor of a ban of non-county business related venders.

"I am opposed to the people who come in and bother my employees while they are working," said Swingle Neil. "I just don't like people coming in and wasting my employees time."

Swingle Neil emphasized that this problem with venders is not new.

"I haven't had an Avon lady come to my office for 12 years, and that is because I put a stop right after I took office," explained Swingle Neil.

"I could see that it was not only obstructing not only County business, but people couldn't even get up to the counter to do their business because the products were laying out on the counter.

"So I thought that was something they could do on their free time. I know I drive to Joplin to do my make-up shopping."

Swingle Neil said she would only like to see those venders who are perating under official county businesses such as office and copy supply venders.

However, City Clerk Jim Lobbey disagreed with making it an official policy.

"I think by placing a general ban, we are getting into more of a legislative action then a management action," said Lobbey. "I think the people who operate the various offices, the elected officials, should take the responsibility to monitor the venders who come in.

"As Edie pointed out, some venders are necessary. I think you are going to have a hard time to write a general rule for the courthouse that is going to allow those that want to be allowed, and those that want to be excluded.

"I think you should make it a management decision. And if the office holders want to set up a place, away from the working office, were some of the people would be allowed to vend their wares to the staff on the off time, on their breaks or lunch time, then that's fine.

"I think it's up to the person who is running the department, if and when it is interrupting business."

The Commissioners decided to postpone action on this measure, since no venders were present at this meeting. Crampton said she would make a point to discuss the vending situation with all of the office holders in both the Carthage and Joplin Courthouses.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

I was lookin' over the schedule for the Carthage Tech Center inserted in last Friday's Mornin' Mail and saw several courses that looked interestin'. The thing that really struck me was all the things that I don't know anything about.

Some of the courses are about things that I don't even know what they are. Things like "the latest, most efficient MAZAK equipment." Now I'm guessin' it's some kind of millin' machine or lathe, based on the fact that it's under the Industrial Machining Courses. I do know what the course on golf is about, but I'm not sure if that set a clubs I bought at the garage sale are the ones they say ya need.

If you have some curiosity left in ya, you might want to take a closer look at the list of offerin's. You might find somethin' you don't know that you want to.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

Workman's Loan

The Super Handyman.

There's nothing quite like the sound of a shovel handle cracking. If your shovel has a wooden handle, you're liable to hear that sound eventually. Most shovels handles snap at the ferrule. At least nine times out of 10, it happens because too much pressure has been put on it.

One thing you can do to protect your favorite shovel is to install a short piece of lightweight PVC conduit over the handle near the ferrule. A section about 8 inches long is all you need. It can be held in place with screws if it's not tight enough by itself, or you can use duct tape. The conduit segment won't add much weight to the tool.

With the added protection, hopefully you and your trusted friend will be together for many more years to come.

Dear Al & Kelly: I've got a little measuring trick I have used for practically all my life, using quarters. The diameter of a quarter is roughly an inch. Now, I wouldn't want to build a house using quarters fo rhte measuring, but it sure can come in handy when you need to measure something small. I learned that from my father when I was about 6 years old.

SUPER HINT-When replacing candles in the household candelabra try spraying a little cooking spray into the candleholder to make the candles insert a little easier.

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