Report Expected on Missing Funds.

A report from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office concerning about $200 in missing funds from the Division IV, Associate Circuit Court is expected this week according to Judge Joseph Schoeberl.

An investigation was completed last week to determine if the money was taken or if an accounting error was at fault. A CPA was brought in to assist in determining the circumstances.

Rumors of a large scale investigation and the amount of money in question have escalated over the last week. Judge Schoeberl says he has heard several erroneous rumors about the investigation.

Schoeberl says there were two incidents that were being looked into that total the $200.

When asked about some of the rumors that were circulating, he said the State Auditor was not involved, and no employee was taken from the office kicking and screaming by deputies.

Unless significant evidence is revealed in the prosecutor’s report, there seems to be little left to report on the subject.

County Collector's Report.

Stephen H. Holt, Jasper County Collector of Revenue has announced $38,551,819.50 is expected to be collected by his office for the Collector's year of 1999-2000. The $38,551,819.50 includes $4,096,920.92 in railroad and utility taxes, $23,035,671.08 in real property taxes, and $11,419,227.50 in personal property taxes.

Over 125,000 tax bills will be mailed beginning Tuesday, November 2, 1999 to the area taxpayers. "If a taxpayer does not receive their tax bills by November 10, 1999, they should contact my office at 358-0411 or 625-4386," Holt stated. "According to state statutes failure to receive a tax statement does not relieve the taxpayer of their obligation to pay," Holt added.

All address changes and questions concerning the assessment or amount of the taxed should be directed to the County Assessor at 358-0437 or 625-4355.

A toll free number is available for the citizens of Jasper County to use when contacting the Carthage County Offices. The number is 1-800-404-0421 then ask for the office needed.

Taxes are due and payable November 1, 1999 and become delinquent after December 31, 1999.

Payment must be received or postmarked by December 31, 1999 and may be made by mail or in the Collector's offices in the Joplin Courts Building at 6th and Pearl or the Carthage Courthouse.

Land Transactions

Arthur Highland Call and Lois Nadine Call, husband and wife sold the property commonly known as: 10970 E. Hummingbird Ln., Carthage, MO 64836 to Robert Shull and Connie Shull, husband and wife. The transaction was handled by Carolyn K. Cole with Donal M. Myers Realty and Candace Ellett with Realty Executives of Carthage.

Martha A. Carpenter has sold the property located at 9096 Gum Road Carthage, MO. The sale was handled by Carolyn K. Cole of Donal M. Myers Realty in cooperation with Rayma Parks Spurgeon of Re-Max Carthage.

Michael W. Walston and Camron L. Watson, husband and wife sold the property at 1227 S. Main, Carthage, MO 64836 to M. Joyce Waring. The sale was handled by Carolyn Cole with Donal M. Myers Realty in cooperation with Barbara Deitz with Century 21 Homefolks Real Estate.

Jerry A. Steele sold the property at 17720 Jayhawk Dr., Carthage, MO 64836 to Carlos A. Gimenez and Denise Gimenez, husband and wife. The sale was handled by Carolyn K. Cole with Donal M. Myers Realty.

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin

State Representative District 126

I hardly knew which issue to write about this week, but finally decided to write about the one that has riled me the most.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how Sen. John Ashcroft courageously led the charge to defeat the nomination of Missouri Supreme Court Justice Ronnie White to a lifetime federal judgeship. Having served with Justice White when he was in the House of Representatives, I can tell you he was a terrible legislator, is a terrible Supreme Court Justice, and would have made a terrible federal judge. Because Justice White happens to be black, I predicted that charges of racism would be leveled at Sen. Ashcroft. That has happened in a big way and it is a shame.

The fact of the matter is that if White was green with purple stripes he would still be a lousy judge. I had the opportunity to talk briefly with Sen. Ashcroft recently and expressed my appreciation for what he did. He modestly acted like it was no big deal, but I can tell you from experience that the easiest thing to do in that situation is nothing.

No one enjoys confrontation, especially when it becomes a public thing. As a member of the House Budget Committee, I have constantly been faced with being the lone voice of objection and this includes matters of race. What really bugs me is that race should never be a part of it and yet, the people that are the first to scream racism are the very ones that keep bringing it up. I’ve lost track of the number of times that a bureaucrat will be taken to task for not having ‘enough’ minority employees.

Almost always, I am the only one that will counter that we should be color blind and hire the best person we can find for the job with no regard to race. As you can guess, I am the one that is called the racist. I have never figured that out. I am the one arguing that race should play no part in the hiring process, they are the ones arguing for a certain number of a certain race and I am the racist? Can someone explain that to me?

Now one of the members of the Public Service Commission has checked in on the issue and has leveled charges of racism in the White episode. My question to him is; When we have people in this state that are still on party lines, can’t get access to the internet, and go days without reliable phone service, why is he concerning himself with an inferior judicial nominee when he ought to be working on improving phone service for Missouri.

That, after all, is what he is paid in excess of 70,000.00 annually to do. Should I accuse him of being a racist since my district, which is largely white, has phone service that is inferior to St. Louis city, which is largely black?

Of course not, but that is parallel to their way of thinking. I would just like to close this week’s column by publicly thanking Sen. Ashcroft for doing what he knew would land him in the middle of controversy, but did it anyway because he knew it was right and was good for America and her citizens.

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

letters to the editor

Dear Editor;

County Planning & Zoning

Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! Why would the citizens of Jasper county want to give up more of their Freedom, so another bureaucracy can rule their lives.

Every day the supreme court, congress and the federal government in Washington and the state in Jefferson city are taking away more of our freedom and rights, under the guise it is all for our betterment.

I went down to the Chamber of Commerce and went over their plan, there is nothing in there about how the bureaucracy is going to be, how many people will be hired, and no idea of the cost, it is just a blue print and they will fill in all the blank spaces as soon as they take control. Of course it says something about maybe one or two people would be enough. Ha. Ha. It is also a new way for the county to get in deeper in our pockets, by new fees and permits.

When ever you give bureaucracy that kind of power they will make big use of it. I never saw any limitations to speak of, but look what government has done in the past, they just love to grow bigger and bigger. I say VOTE NO

Rudy Mueller

Carthage MO

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

It looks like the absentee ballot predictor of the turn out for today’s vote is fair to partly cloudy. Less than 300 took advantage of the Jasper County Clerk’s office accomodatin’ voters who won’t be able make it to the pollin’ places today.

If you didn’t take advantage of their hospitality, try ta make it out to vote before 7 p.m. this evenin’. Shouldn’t take long, just the one County Plannin’ issue to vote on. With a fairly light turn out predicted, your vote counts that much more. Sides that, ya help keep the cost per voter low if ya show up. They’ll just have ta throw away your ballot if ya don’t use it.

Votin’ also gives ya the right ta gripe if things don’t turn out.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes.

PAIN RELIEVERS: There are four types of over-the-counter pain relievers: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. They all work, but not all of them may be what you need. Here’s a brief description of each:

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It works by suppressing hormone-like substances that regulate body temperature, induce uterine contractions, clot blood, and regulate blood vessel constriction. That’s why it’s usually helpful for fever, menstrual cramps, headache pain, muscle pills and minor arthritis.

Aspirin is not recommended for people with gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, uncontrolled hypertension, liver or kidney disease or bleeding disorders. Acetaminophen.

Also relieves moderate pain and fever, probably by acting on nerve endings to suppress pain. It’s an alternative for those who cannot tolerate aspirin. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium both work like aspirin, but are stronger.

Anyone with the same problems that can be affected by aspirin, should avoid those two drugs as well. Although these pain killers are sold over the counter, it’s a good idea to keep intake to 10 days or less. If symptoms persist, see your doctor.