More Recycling Scheduled for Discussion.

The Public Works Committee is scheduled to resume a discussion about the possibility of a second recycling drop-off facility during this afternoon’s regular meeting at 5:15 in City Hall.

The proposed site would be on property owned by CW&EP just across River Street from the power plant. City Director of Engineering Joe Butler told the Committee during its last meeting that a chain link fence would have to be constructed if the site was used. He estimated the cost to be between $2,000 and $2,500. Other considerations such as the cost for a driveway and parking areas were to be researched for discussing this afternoon.

Butler also told the Committee that he felt there were citizens who would volunteer to man the site. The possibility of extending hours past 5 p.m. was suggested by some Committee members.

If the additional site is recommended by the Public Works Committee, the full council would have to approve any funding for the project.

The Public Works Committee meets in City Hall every first and third Tuesday.

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin

State Representative, District 126

The days are shorter, the nights are longer, there is a chill in the air, (well, not really, but there should be), so you know what that means; that’s right, it is time to send you back some of your money that never should have been taken in the first place.

In what has become a yearly experience, the Hancock refund checks are going out in the mail. This has happened every year since 1993 and 1999 will be no exception. I have written basically the same column each year and, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, this year will be no exception. I want to be sure that you understand there should be no glory given to politicians that take too much of your money, keep it for a year interest free, and then send it back to you while crowing like they did something great.

In Missouri there is an amendment to the Constitution known as the Hancock amendment. It is so named for the man that pushed it through, former Congressman, Mel Hancock of Springfield. While it is a little more complicated, what it essentially does is limit the amount of government spending growth to the same growth as personal income of Missourians.

Anything above that amount either has to be returned by check or by reducing tax rates. It is best to reduce tax rates for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it costs almost a million dollars to issue the checks.

What has been particularly frustrating is that all this could be avoided if Gov. Carnahan would just use realistic figures when submitting his budget. This has been a yearly fight. When we start the budget process in the fall for the upcoming year, one of the things we have to look at is how close we are to the Hancock limit based on personal income growth. At the risk of sounding immodest, we conservatives in the House, have usually hit the figure pretty close.

However, like most liberals, Gov. Carnahan can’t stand the thought of having his ability to spend your money limited, so he uses an unrealistic figure to base his budget on. The result has been the same every year since he took office. We have been over the limit and a refund needs to be issued. What is particularly galling is that he then makes a big deal of sending your money back to you. There is nothing generous about taking your money and then giving it back to you a year later.

We are getting ready to start the budget process again and I imagine we will face the same fight. You would think that after 6 years Gov. Carnahan would catch on that his figures are flawed. My guess is that he knows, but can’t accept the fact that his ability to spend your money is limited by the Constitution. It is a very good thing we have that limitation in our state.

As usual, I can be reached at House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 64759, or 1-800-878-7126, or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments, or advice.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Since there hadn’t been any rain for a while, the Fire Department is askin’ that folks don’t do any leaf burnin’ ‘till it does.

For those burnin’ types, this is a fine excuse for not spendin’ a weekend smellin’ like a burnt marshmallow. ‘Course sooner or later most will have to make the decision whether to bag or not.

I would have done a little burnin’ myself last weekend if it weren’t so dry, but it was a little warm for my taste. I like it ta be just cool enough to need a jacket when ya get a few feet from the fire. Havin’ a little moisture on the leafs is reassurin’, but the smoke doesn’t always set well with the neighborhood. They say maybe some rain and a little cooler late in the week. Just in time for next weekend.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

According to the NIH Healthline, a publication from the National Institutes of Health, there is definitely a connection between the benefits of exercise and our genetic makeup.

Our genes will largely determine how we respond to exercise, regardless of age or sex. (Please note that I never use the term, gender, since gender actually refers to grammatical differences. We living creatures have sexual differences, and I wish people wouldn’t be so timid about using the word, sex, where and when it’s appropriate.)

Dr. Claude Bouchard of Laval University in Quebec, noted that response to exercise is measured by the ability of the muscles to take up and use oxygen, as well as fat metabolism, performance of the heart, and changes in glucose and insulin levels, and other factors.

However, while we may respond differently to exercise, the fact is, all people derive some positive effects, including reducing the risk of developing cancer. Exercise has also been shown to help control diabetes.

As Dr. Bouchard says, "Regardless of your genetic makeup, exercise is still important in maintaining overall health."