County Budget Reviewed.

The temporary Jasper County Finance subcommittee met Monday night to review an itemized statement prepared by Richard La Neur, Ph.D and Professor J.R. Kuhn of the Finance Department at MSSC.

"We are in a crisis!" Committee Member Alice Pentoja declared after hearing La Neur’s comments.

The report compared actual County expenses versus budgeted receipts and expenditures for FY1998 and 1999. The difference was 19 percent. The shortfall in FY 1998 was $800,000 dollars and projected to be higher in 1999. The report also pointed out that although receipts grew 4.8 percent, it was over shadowed by expenditures of 5.5 percent. After a lengthy discussion by the Committee members it was decided that the report did not adequately address why some Department budgets increased so dramatically. A revised report, due at the July meeting, will be more concise La Neur stated.

In other business the Committee agreed that they, as a group, should not initiate a petition to change the County Government to Charter form of governance, but rather it should be a grass roots initiative.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

I know you don’t think I know you’re doin’ it, but I know.

It’s hard to not notice the occasional pop of those fire crackers goin’ off down the street. ‘Course bein’ illegal to shoot fire crackers in City limits prob’ly just makes the temptation a little harder to resist. Sittin’ there starin’ at that pack of Black Cats.

When I was of fire cracker poppin’ age, we blew the dickens out of ever’thing. Ant hills, June bugs, tried to blow up fence posts and model cars. There were those times when the fingers stung from the miscalculation of how quick that fuse would actually burn. I know a little about the temptation you’re fightin,’ but believe me, the joy of hearin’ a string of lady fingers rattle off goes away after a while. It was fun while it lasted.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

Make family health and fitness a priority during the summer months of going and doing. Whether planning camping trips in national parks, seaside adventures or simple picnics and ball games close to home at a neighborhood park, healthy living is what the season can provide. Here are some ideas to help everyone in the family shape up!

Great beginnings start with breakfast. Kids and adults can be more productive and feel better throughout the day when they eat breakfast. For families on the run, try some quick a.m. entrees that are nutritious, tasty and include healthy, fresh produce available this time of year. My kids love to smear low-fat cream cheese on a toasted whole-wheat bagel topped off with yummy slices of strawberries, kiwi, apples & grapes.

Eat your veggies. Start now to plan your backyard or container garden to include plants your kids can eat! The wonder of planting a seed in soil, watching it sprout and grow to yield tasty lettuce, sweet beans or carrots for a summer supper is a marvel for both kids and adults. How about adding some tomatoes, green peppers, onions and oregano to the plot for fresh fixings for a mouth-watering pizza?

Get in shape together. Teach one another school playground games such as hopscotch and jump-rope. Or find an easy-to-follow nature trail and let your children be the guides.