Airport Appraisal Delays.

The efforts by the City of Carthage to have property appraised for the proposed new airport site continues to be delayed. The contract with Hunter Appraisals of Joplin for an appraisal was signed last May. Mayor Kenneth Johnson and City Administrator Tom Short had to prod the firm to finally submit a completed appraisal in late September.

Upon receipt, the City submitted the appraisal for review by another appraiser in Springfield, as required if the City wishes to be considered for future federal grant funds.

The review appraiser notified the City in early October that the appraisal reports submitted by Hunter did not comply with the standard appraisal procedures identified in the Missouri Department of Transportation Local Public Agency Right of Way Manual. According to Short, the deficiencies included but were not limited to incorrect forms and missing forms.

Short notified Hunter of the deficiencies and according to contract stipulations, Hunter has twenty-one calendar days to correct the deficiencies or face liquidated damages. Hunter responded last Friday and indicated that he will be sending corrected information by November 4, 1999.

During last Tuesday’s regular Council meeting, Council member H.J. Johnson moved to cancel the contract all together and find another appraiser. The motion died for lack of a second.

Johnson contended that since the terms of the contract were violated when the appraisal was not delivered in a timely manner to start with, any other requirements for correction would not apply.

A motion to give Hunter until October 15 to respond was passed by the Council. Members of the Council indicated that this will be the last time extension granted.

According to Short, there are only a handful of appraisers approved by the State for airport appraisals of this type. Hunter submitted a proposal for the project last spring for approximately $3,600. Other proposals would have cost nearly twice that much so the lowest priced proposal was accepted.

The City has set aside about $600,000 toward the development of a new airport. Tentative plans are to purchase property, try to get some earth work assistance from the National Guard, and petition the State for help in putting down a hard surface initial runway. Negotiations with land owners cannot proceed until the appraisal is completed according to Mayor Johnson.

Halloween Fun Downtown.

news release

Main Street Carthage has announced tentative plans for Halloween Fun Downtown on the square. This year's committee includes Renay Minshew, Marlo Miller and Lora Wacker.

Several activities are planned, i.e., pet costume and pumpkin decorating contests along with the traditional costume contest for for adults and children alike. We are happy to have our storyteller, hayrides, a magician and Mike Morgan Photography returning.

Thank you to just a few of our sponsors: Jackson Tire, Central Pet Care, Hometown Bank, Bob Brown Insurance, UMB, and The Carthage Press. Carthage Hardware will be giving away a bicycle to one lucky winner. Volunteers from George Washington Carver Park will be having Old Tyme Games & Toys and the YMCA will be there with a gymnastics exhibition.

Make plans to be on the square Saturday, October 30th from 1-5 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more details please call Main Street Carthage at 358-4974

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

 

To borrow from a baseball legend, nobody ever goes to the Maple Leaf Festival, it’s always too crowded.

From what I can tell from talkin’ with those who have seen more years of Maple Leaf than myself, this year’s festival attracted more folks than ever before. Pick a number, I don’t think anyone can give an accurate estimate of actual bodies. It was crowded.

The Square sustained a crowd longer than usual, lastin’ into the late afternoon. Even with the cool weather that came in about noon, folks were lined up at the food venders and enjoyin’ the entertainment.

Other activities off the Square seemed ta have a good showin’ also. Hats off to all the volunteers that contribute time and effort for the cause.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes.

MIRACLE OR MYTH? The facts about melatonin have all but been obscured under the heavy hype that has been coming at us in recent months. Suffice it to say, that the hormone does do a great many wonderful things in the human body. But I, for one, prefer to stay away from any synthetic or animal-derived form of the hormone until more tests are done and the results carefully analyzed.

But in abstaining from commercially prepared melatonin products, I am not melatonin challenged. I get mine the old-fashioned way: through nature.

Melatonin is produced in the body by the pineal gland, located near the center of the brain. Secretion levels depend on the light detected by the eyes. This means, melatonin levels will be influenced by daily light and dark cycles, and by seasonal changes in sunlight.

Researchers into the effect melatonin might have on boosting the immunity system, reducing the problems of aging, enhancing the sex drive, etc., agree that the hormone seems to present some exciting prospects. But they urge caution until such time as they can come up with proof that the hormone does what its supporters say it does, and with none or relatively few side-effects.