Trimming the 5 Year Budget.

The process currently being used to develope a five year capital improvement plan should involve more than merely budgeting according to Budget/Ways and Means Committee Chair Jackie Boyer.

"As we go through this," Boyer told the Committee earlier this week, "try to think of it as a group of projects that will be taken care of over a period of years. We will have to think maybe in a little bit more of the terms of what their incomes are going to be and the funding that might be available over that period of time. I think we are going to find that the limitations are going to really affect what we are going to decide."

Among the many projects targeted by the Engineering Department for consideration was the railroad overpass on North McGregor. One option that is being considered is to simply remove the existing structure and block off the street.

Preliminary reductions in what was $16 million in proposals for the next five years has been tenatively been reduced so far to just over $10 million. Of that, about $4 million will only be spent if some grant funding is available. This includes the proposed improvements to Memorial Hall, the interchange at Fariview and 71 Highway, and renovation of the first nine holes of the golf course.

The Committee has also reduced the amount it will recommend to be used for city-wide sidewalk incentives and repairs. Initially proposed at $100,000 per year, it has been reduced to $50,000 per year over the next five years. This funding would be used to share in the cost of replacing sidewalks with property owners. The exact formula has yet to be approved, but a recommendation from the Public Works Committee is expected soon.

The Committee is also considering putting $80,000 per year aside for the five year period for the purpose of relocating the airport. This would be in addition to the $500,000 already earmarked for the project.

The practice formerly initiated by the Council of putting $100,000 a year aside earmarked for the improvement of Civil War Road appears to also have the approval of the Committee.

Intersection improvements of up to$600,000 are being considered for the intersecton of Garrison and Oak Street.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

The spring political season is gearin’ up. There are four runnin’ for the three available seats on the School Board, and the Ward 5 race for City Council.

Other than that, a couple a state issues will be on the ballot. One is dealin’ with the legalizin’ of carryin’ a concealed fire arm, which is bein’ brought up some. It seems ta have a pretty good chance in the rural areas, but as usual the "Cities" will have a good deal of influence.

There is also the question of puttin’ a tax on cell phones to fund a statewide 911 system of some sort. I’m one a those that at this time won’t be directly affected by prob’ly either of these. If I was ta have ta make a choice, I’d likely be more inclined ta carry a six shooter than a phone.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition.

by Mari An Willis

Energy and spring, just seem to go hand in hand..or so we hope. Fatigue appears to be a common complaint these days. It is just that spring offers so many opportunities to overwork and under love oneself? Is it a time when we have been given the opportunity to smell the roses and spring flowers and have forgotten how for any number of reasons?

Spring is often referred to as a time for cleaning and new beginnings. A time for cleaning the garage, yard, drapes, workshop and even one's head. Letting go of past experiences so that new ones may enter our lives, going on a diet, new hair cuts and a look at where we stand with our "new year resolutions." This is a time to plant seeds and new ideas and traditionally to "spring clean" the body.

Traditionally this was a time of the year to drink sassafras tea. Sassafras was called a "spring medicine" to purify the blood and cleanse the entire system. It was used to flush out the system and the aroma was enjoyable. Sassafras is often found in combination with other cleansing herbs for its delightful flavor. It is suggested in Jethro Kloss's book Back to Eden that the tea should not be taken for over one week at a time.

For internal cleaning Cascara Sagrada bark was used for chronic constipation. Again, Mr. Kloss considers it one of the most reliable and time proven remedies and states that he has used the product safely for over thirty years when needed. Our native Americans called it "sacred bark." It is noted that only the aged bark should be used. One year seems to be sufficient.

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