City Employee Health Insurance.

The City Council Finance/Personnel Committee continued it’s review of the City’s purchasing procedures during yesterday afternoon’s regular meeting. The Committee also discussed the City Employee Health Insurance specifications. The City will be requesting proposals from agents after the first of the year as the current contract expires April 1, 2000.

Committee member Trish Burgi-Brewer will assist City Administrator Tom Short and City Clerk Barbara Welch in the process of developing a set of specifications for insurance agents to use for their proposals. Short asked that some agents to be involved in the development of the specifications.

The City currently uses what is commonly referred to as a split pay plan. The City is self insured up to a cap of $25,000 per employee per year with an insurance company picking up bill over that amount. There is also a total cap of under $500,000 for City obligation.

Brewer-Burgi wants proposals that include a more limited City exposure to compare with the current arrangement.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

The little rain storm brought the feel of fall a mite closer, but they say it won’t last. This warm spell may be the last in a while though, so ya better be finishin’ up those outdoor chores and batten down the hatches.

Antifreeze check, get the garden hose emptied and put away, check the furnace filter if ya haven’t. For me it also means finally lookin’ for that other half of pair of gloves and securin’ the wash tub on the mower with a brick.

With the cold weather I usually try to do a better job of keepin’ the fuel gauge above half in the truck, and throw a blanket in just in case.

‘Course with the y2k, a years supply of organic wheat in the back could help traction.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

Here are two popcorn snack recipes that are real crowd pleasers. And they’re fun to make!

Indian Corn Snack

Pop 2 quarts of popcorn and place in a large bowl. Melt 1/2 stick of butter or margarine over medium heat. Add a 10-ounce package of marshmallows and stir constantly until melted. Pour the mixture over the popcorn. As you stir, toss in raisins and a variety of chopped dried fruit such as peaches, apples, apricots and cranberries.

When mixture is comfortable to touch, let your kids coat the palms of their clean hands with margarine and mold the popcorn mixture into shapes to resemble ears of colorful Indian corn. For a serving size, make the ears 4 inches long. Push a wooden skewer into one end of each ear of popped corn for a handle. Set on wax paper. Makes about 15.

Honey-Nut Popcorn

Pop 3 quarts of popcorn and place in a large bowl. Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine and 1/2 cup honey in a small saucepan. Heat until well blended. Add 1 cup chopped nuts. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and mix well.

Spread popcorn mixture in a thin layer on cookie sheets and bake in 350-degree oven for about 12 minutes until crisp. Stir often to avoid burning. Cool. Store in airtight container.