The Moving Controversy.

The question of where the County Recorder’s Office will be located in the future resurfaced Thursday morning when Anna Ruth Crampton read a letter to the Commissioner’s from County Recorder Edie Swingle Neil. The letter stated a need for more floor space citing an increase in record volume as well as an increase in much needed employees.

At issue is whether or not Ms. Neil will move to Nations Bank building as originally proposed. The previous week Neil gave a letter to Jasper County Financial Review Advisory Committee Chairman Ron Lankford in which Neil stated her objections to moving her office into the Nations Bank offices stating security concerns.

County Commissioner Danny Hensley said the Count house is divided into quadrants; there is no room to expand and that is why the County purchased the Nations Bank building.

The latest letter from Neil prompted a firey retort from Hensley.

"I’ve had it up to here!" he said as he slapped the table.

He indicated the Commissioners tried to work with her; she didn’t seem satisfied and that he was tired of threats such as a June 1st deadline for closing the bank deal.

Western District Commissioner Anna Ruth Crampton also mentioned the June 1 deadline Neil purportedly raised in a conversation with her as well as other deadlines.

"I don’t recall a conversation about June 1st," Neil said.

"I have it documented in my notes," replied Crampton.

"You’ve waffled too much on this," Eastern County Commissioner Ben Johnson said.

He said he understood her concern about computer security issues but that she couldn’t have it both ways.

Mornin’ Mail spoke with Neil and she issued this reply:

"I’m not aware of a June 1st deadline he indicated that I’ve given them as a deadline for closing of the building. After browsing my calendar I see I have had the closing date of June 15th of my calendar for several months and had not scheduled anyone for wiring or computer transfer until after that date."

According to State statute, "The County Commission shall have control and management of the property belonging to the County...for the use and benefit of the County." :

Revised Statute Mo 49.520 further states that "It shall be the duty of the County to provide offices or space where the Officers of the County may properly...perform the duties and function of their respective offices."

In other business Ben Johnson reiterated the $60 per month line cost to the County for the new long-distance calling plan Southwestern Bell is being instituted on July 22 and suggested the Commission meet with the phone company. Danny Hensley asked Johnson to arrange a July 15th meeting at 10:00 a.m. with Southwestern Bell representative Susan Gilliam for all elected officials to hear the phone company’s explanation of how the new system will work and to answer questions. He suggested that each official should bring one employee from their department.

Joplin Industrial Development Authority (JIDA) Vice President Rob O’Brien spoke to the Commission concerning the issuance bonds for the proposed Crossroads Industrial site located east of Joplin. He said there hadn’t been any bonds issued since the 1980’s. The Commissioners agreed that if the JIDA and the Jasper County Industrial Development Authority agreed to the bond issue the Commission would agree also. The JCIDA will meet this morning at 11:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners Office.

A Perennial Memorial Garden

and Newer Computer Donated !!

by Robin Putnam, artCentral

We hope everyone had a fun and safe celebration last weekend. The fireworks dis-play was really wonderful. Carthage did a great job !!

Boy....do we have some really great news !! Not only did we get a monitor from MSSC....we got a new hard drive !! Our old one was a 386 and now we have a zippy 486 !! It’s like living in the twentieth century !! Better late than never !! We can’t thank MSSC and Dr. Jerry Williams enough for their thoughtfulness and their support. A big hand for them !! Clap, clap, clap !!

Also in the good news department....we have a new flowerbed......a perennial bed to be more exact. Seems someone from Ozark Nursery in Joplin planted this bed and then disappeared !! Actually

.......the perennial bed was planted and donated to artCentral by Ozark Nursery in Jane Kleindl’s name.

Last year Jane and Carla Parrill (owner of Ozark Nurs.) worked together on the Art in the Garden Tour and this is Carla’s way of thanking Jane for all of her hard work...........the Jane Kleindl Memorial Garden ! We’re sooo pleased it’s in our yard !! You’ll have to stop by and see it.

It looks like Russian Sage, Victoria Blue Salvia, Butter-fly Bush in pink and a pink Spirea (dwarf,.maybe?).Any-way it’s going to be beautiful as it matures and we’re sure the butterflies will love it !!

We thank Carla and Ozark Nursery....and Jane, too !!

We now have our quarterly newsletter and an updated calendar of events available. The newsletters are mailed out to our members but we have a few copies in the Gallery for anyone wishing to know more about what’s going on around here. They’re free .... stop in and get one.

Our Membership Show will be over July 23rd. If you haven’t come in yet you’re really missing out. Lots of great artwork.

You should see the pencil drawing of the Courthouse ....it’s truly awesome !! The artist is Brian Motz, Carthage and he’s done a wonderful job. Pat Clem has a pastel of a waterfall and Debbie Reed has a beautiful mixed media woodland nymph.

And don’t forget Bill Snow’s dolphin sculpture in limestone with a cool black patina.....Better check it out !! Some of the best art around.

More...next week.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Then there was the guy who thought the ladies admired his physic because he over heard one say to the other, "Look at him, what a waste." Most folks in this part of the county grew up bein’ aware that avoidable waste was not a good thing.

I’m sure there are those who still feel guilty ‘bout fillin’ the bathtub more than half full. Leavin’ a light on when no one is in the room sets some folks off. The sayin’ "take what ya want but eat what ya take" is ingrained in most from the time they are old enough ta sit at the table.

‘Course common sense does have ta come into play. Runnin’ the last bit of rubber off the tires might end up with a blow out that wastes the whole car. Sometimes those treasures are just junk.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

We are fortunate here in Carthage to have many people who have made a commitment to support the environment and save our land. We take it for granted and may not be aware of the work that is being done to keep open prairies and woodlands ready for us. If you do not get the Missouri Conservationist magazine (free to Mo. residents), it is worth the phone call. This month they touched on wild flowers. Jan Hinsey, with Ozark Regional Landtrust, took me to one of the prairies where they had been gathering seed. For a wild plant nut like me, what a wonderful day!

The following are excerpts from the brand new Field Guide to Common Ozark Wildflowers by Don Kutz. The photography is outstanding.

SWEET EVERLASTING...dried flowers have a maple or balsam fragrance. Pillows filled with the dried flowers were used to quiet coughing. Herbalist have traditionally used it to help balance the hormonal system.

MULLEIN...one of my favorites. In ancient Greece the leaves were rolled, dried and made into wicks for oil lamps and candles. More modern usage has been to treat lung problems. It has been known to kill the pain associated with many bronchial and lung conditions, without being addictive.

WOOD BETONY...the pretty yellow plant has already come and gone for this season. It is member of the snapdragon family. The native Americans boiled the whole plant to make a tea for reducing internal swelling tumors and some types of external swelling.

CHICORY...common blue flower on this roadside plant can easily be confused with blue lettuce. Chicory is known for its use as a coffee substitute. "Chicory is a gentle, but effective, bitter tonic, which increases the flow of bile and is used to treat gallstones as is hyrdangea, another local shrub.

Please remember there is a law against gathering on roadsides or public lands without permission. ALWAYS gather in a responsible manner.