Planning Commission Clarification.

The County Commissioners attended the scheduled Jasper County Planning Commission meeting in the County Annex Tuesday evening.

The Planning Commission met to receive the completed copies of the Jasper County Comprehensive Plan. County voters will accept or reject the Plan during the November election. The Planning Commission was appointed by the County Commission and has developed the proposal over the last year. If the Plan is accepted by the voters, the Planning Commission will begin developing actual ordinances to administer the Plan. An election for a permanent Planning Commission will be held next April.

Presiding Commissioner Danny Hensley addressed the group concerning what was categorized as a "misunderstanding" over who had authority over the Planning Commission’s part time personnel.

Last week the County Commissioners shut off funding for the part time Planning Commission assistant.

"The thing that I would like to say," Hensley began, "is that I guess is that the Commission, we acted on good faith from the information that we received. That information was not correct. We’re here to support you all, and if the job’s not done, we want you to finish whatever it takes to get that job done.

"We want to make sure that the people of Jasper County votes on the issue of the plan, not something else."

Hensley also praised the efforts of Tom Simpson of Simpson and Associates, LLC who was contracted to develop the Jasper County Comprehensive Plan.

"Congratulations on the your choice for the man you picked to do the job," said Hensley.

"We’re just here to support you in any way that we can. We want the voters of Jasper County to know what’s going on.

"And there is always two sides to every story," he continued, referring to the misunderstanding. "I just want to drop it at that and let you know that we support you and we would like for everything to go well and wish you luck.

"Whatever the vote of the people is, we want to honor it. If it’s yes or if it’s no, we need to know that and give the people the best information that we have.

"The Commission just wants to support you all and thank you very much for all the hard work that you’ve done."

The comments drew a round of applause from the Planning Commission.

After a few comments by Planning Commission Chair Loren Griggs about the recent efforts to explain the Plan at various town meetings throughout the county, members of the group were asked if they had any questions for the County Commissioners.

"Mr. Elliston, do you have any comments," asked Griggs.

"I don’t have any questions," said Elliston. "Looks to me like everything is hunky-dory."

One member raised the question of whether the County Commissioners had authority over the Planning Commission.

"No," replied Griggs, "they don’t really have authority over us. I think Danny put it very well. The action that was taken might not have been based on . . . and all of that. And Danny, I agree one hundred percent, there’s two sides to every story.

"There were several statements made in the media. Most of them were quite true. But there were one or two that weren’t. Tom (Elliston), do you have anything?"

"No. I think we should get on with the meeting," replied Elliston.

Missouri BPW District 6 Conference.

The Missouri Business and Professional Women's District 6 Conference was held September 18, 1999 at the Great Oaks Country Club in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, with Sharron Sutton, Joplin BPW, District 6 Director presiding. The keynote ERA speaker was Deleta Williams, Missouri House of Representatives 121 District. Mary Ireland, Nevada, presented and ERA writing workshop. Entertainment was provided by Brandi Harris, singer and music major at Cottey College, Nevada.

Ms. Autumn Lawrence, Carthage BPW, was the young careerist winner and Ms. Tiffany Brooks, Joplin BPW, was runner-up in the YC competition. Certificates were presented by Angie Moran, District 6 YC chair.

The Missouri Federation Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. representative was 2nd Vice President Carole Parson, St. Joseph, MO. Also attending were Lorraine Whittington, Joplin, 1st Vice President BPW/MO; Barbara Simmons, Carthage, Past State President BPW/MO(97); Pauline Gage, Monett, Past State President BPW/MO (98) and Sharon Mangan, Greater Ozarks BPW, Springfield, Membership/Expansion Committee Chair BPW/MO. The Missouri BPW Foundation Board Members attending were June Baker, Greater Ozarks BPW, Springfield; Alta Smith and Cleo Westbay, Carthage BPW.

Individual Development Competition winner was Angie Moran, Seneca BPW and runner-up; Carol Cooper, Seneca BPW. Certificates were presented by Cleo Westbay, District 6 ID Chair. Local organizations in District 6 include Bushwacker BPW (Nevada), Carthage BPW, El Dorado Springs BPW, Jasper BPW, Joplin BPW, Monett BPW, Nevada BPW and Seneca BPW.

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Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

The overall feel of the Planning Commission meetin’ seemed ta be fairly optimistic about the Comprehensive Plan passin’. There doesn’t seem ta be any large uprisin’ to oppose the plan.

From what I’ve observed, it is fairly general in scope. Lettin’ things stay as they are, but the ability is there to put some regulations in place as needed.

Several of the Commission commented about the positive response folks out in the County are havin’ to the town meetin’s.

It still seems a little strange to some that folks in communities with zonin’ laws, which won’t be affected by the new plan, get to vote. That’s just the way it is. Maybe it just points out that those out in the County do impact those in the city, and the other way around.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click and Clack Talk Cars

Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a 1992 Ford 150 with a V8 engine. I get really bad mileage. How bad is bad? On a good day I get six mpg in town. I don't take it on the highway much, so I can't give you an accurate figure on that. I don't "hot rod" it, and I take good care of the beast.

The dealership couldn't find any problems with it. They checked the oxygen sensor and all of the various computers. They said, "Tough luck; live with it." I have a buddy who told me to try high performance spark plugs and an air filter. He said I would definitely see the difference. What do you think? - Mike.

TOM: The biggest difference you'll see is in your bank balance, Mike. So save you money.

RAY: This may be one of those situations in which the mechanic at the dealership is using a high-tech approach and overlooking the simple stuff. His scanner may tell him that your sensors and computer are operating properly, but it won't tell him if you have something as simple as a stuck thermostat.

TOM: A thermostat that's stuck open could make a huge dent in your mileage. When the thermostat is stuck in the open position, the engine is, in effect, being "over-cooled" all the time. That means it never gets up to proper operating temperature. And if it's running to cool, the gasoline won't combust properly, and your mileage will stink (as will your tailpipe).

RAY: That's why everyone's mileage is worse in the winter. And an engine temperature problem affects a fuel-injected vehicle (like yours) much more than an older, carbureted car.