Curbside Debate Continues.

The debate centered around a mandated charge to pay for weekly curb side recycling collection will continue in the City Council for the next few weeks. Although the Council, in a 5-5 vote with Mayor Kenneth Johnson breaking the tie, voted to stop the proposed October 1 implementation of the $72,000 per year program, an ordinance to that effect has yet to be passed. The bill is anticipated to reach the Council for first reading during their July 13 regular meeting.

The ordinance is necessary because the former Council voted last year to begin the mandatory charge and included it in the ordinance that authorized a solid waste removal contract with American Disposal. A Council bill is necessary to reverse that original Council bill. Representatives of American have notified the City in writing that they will honor their regular trash hauling contract if the City wishes to cancel the curb side option. Opposition to the proposed plan comes from a variety of opinions.

Council member J.D. Whitledge voted against the program last year. His basic objection is the mandating of a charge to those who will not use the service. Council member Lujene Clark, who was not on the Council last year, likes the idea of curb side recycling, but doesn’t think the public is prepared to take advantage of the program. Council member H.J. Johnson has stated he feels the current drop-off center is working well at this time and is not in favor of the mandatory charges. Mayor Kenneth Johnson has stated he does not object to a curb side program as long as those who use it pay for it, but opposes the mandatory charge. Council members Art Dunaway and Don Stearnes also voted against the proposed plan.

Council member Trish Burgi-Brewer has been the most vocal of the supporters of the program. She thinks the $1.29 for families, and $1.49 for single households is a minimal charge for the benefits of increased recycling and convenience.

Also supporting the proposed plan were Council members Bill Fortune, Charlie Bastin, Jackie Boyer and Larry Ross. Ross and Fortune spoke in favor the plan during the last Council meeting.

A recycling drop station was begun last year at the old City landfill. There is no fee charged for the service for citizens of Carthage. During the first quarter of 1999, the center shipped approximately 5 tons of newsprint, 5 tons of cardboard, 1 ton of aluminum, 1 ton of tin, and 1 ton of plastic, for a total of 13 tons. The cost for hauling and sorting the containers was $900, or just under $70 per ton. A grant from the Region M Solid Waste District should cover a majority of that cost for the upcoming year. The City gets no reimbursement from the sale of the material at this time. The City spent approximately $9,000 last year to construct a pad for the containers. The site is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

In addition to this, the City offers a free drop for yard waste has been in operation for the last several years. Director of Engineering Joe Butler estimates that approximately 1,000 tons of material are recycled each year in that project.

There is no charge for drop off of leaves and small branches and the compost and wood chips are available to citizens at no charge. In addition to the one man in charge of operating the landfill site, Street Department personnel operate the chipper-shredder and turn the compost pile on an as need basis.

Assistant Director of the Region M Solid Waste District Elizabeth Spears told the Mornin’ Mail that she intends to be present at the next City Council meeting and will present some explanations and benefits of curb side recycling. She says that the costs of the Carthage program were low compared to other communities in the State.

According to Spears, the Region M District has received $862,000 since 1993 and has supplied grants for 80 projects in that time. Those projects have diverted 12,000 tons from landfills according to Spears.

Laubach Literacy Workshop.

A 14-hour Laubach Literacy Action tutor training workshop will be held July 16, 17 and 18 at the Family Neighborhood Center in Carthage. Anyone wishing to volunteer as a reading tutor or as an English as a Second Language tutor is invited to attend. The training will begin with registration and supper at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, July 16, continue on Saturday, July 17 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday, July 18, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Those completing the workshop will be certified to teach both English as a Second Language (ESL) and Basic Reading to adult students.

The workshop will cover Laubach methods in teaching small groups as well as one-on-one tutoring. Laubach materials Challenger, Life Prints, Voyager and the Skill Book series will be reviewed with hands-on study. Practice with actual adult students is part of the workshop.

There is no cost for volunteers who commit a year's service to Family Literacy Council. Other volunteers will be charged a $10 registration fee to cover the cost of meals.

Tutoring kits will be for sale for ESL and Basic Reading tutors. Prices of the kits range from $35 to $12.90. Purchase is not required, but many tutors want one.

To register for the tutor training workshop, or to get more information, call Evelena at Family Literacy Council, 417-358-5926

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Mornin'

It always seems a little quieter after the Fourth. I like to just see how little noise I can be around for a day or two.

 

 

See what I mean. A little bit of nothin’ goes a long way.

I never like ta have any noise goin’ on in the mornin’. Seems it all gets jumbled up and make the day more confusin.’

The mornin’ talk shows seem to be just little too jolly for my pre coffee hours. It just makes me jittery hearin’ all that chirpy chatter. I’d rather just listen to the squirrels runnin’ the fence and the birds gettin’ the worm. ‘Course after a holiday, it’s always good ta get away from it all.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

PICNIC IN GOOD HEALTH: Whether your summer holiday fare will be mostly picnic lunches, or foods grabbed while you’re on the run, you need to be aware of possible health risks that can cause anything from a mild upset stomach to a fatality. For example, just one bad shrimp at a picnic or taken from a hotel buffet can make you very, very sick.

Mary Ann Shroeder, Professor of Nursing at the Catholic University of America offers the following tips to help travelers avoid problems associated with food:

1. Avoid eating shellfish that may have come from contaminated waters, especially in countries where sanitation may not be very good.

2. Do not eat raw vegetables, or drink unbottled water. Microorganisms from the soil and in water can cause diseases such as dysentery and typhoid.

3. Make sure all fish and meat dishes are well-cooked. Do not eat local dishes that feature raw or partially cooked fish or meats.

4. Distinguish between boredom and hunger. Often people eat when they’re bored, which can lead to weight gain.

5. If you eat a basically healthy, low-fat diet, keep in mind that you may not be used to the richer foods you’re likely to encounter on vacation. Do, by all means, sample them, but don’t overindulge.