Did Ya Know... "Sylvia" is playing at Stone's Throw Community Theatre May 1-3 and May 8-11. The box office, 358-9665, is open weekdays from 10-1. Prepaid reservation are required.
Did Ya Know... The Salvation Army needs clothing sorters Mon-Sat at the new Thrift Store. Anyone wishing to volunteer should call Envoy Susan Laws at 358-2262 for more information.
Did Ya Know... The Belle Starr Spring Arts and Crafts Show will be held May 17-18 on the Historic Square from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. each day.
A professional golfer was complaining to one of his friends about the horrible season he was having.
"Aw," said his friend, "it can't be all that bad."
"Are you kidding?" said the pro. "This is the first time I ever received a get-well card from the I.R.S."
I had a beautiful suit made of awning material. There was only one thing wrong with it. Every time the sun went down, the pants rolled up.
You're over 30 when you won't go camping without an air mattress, mosquito netting and a bottle of good brandy.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.
KICKED BY A HORSE.
Eli Wick an Aged Citizen of Carthage Seriously Hurt. Eli Wick a well known citizen of Carthage was seriously injured this forenoon about 10:30 o'clock by being kicked by a horse. He was out in the barn lot at his residence property on South Garrison avenue and was leading a calf by a horse when the animal kicked at the calf but missing it struck Mr. Wick on the right hip just below the joint breaking the bone. His hip was badly cut and bruised by the horse's shoe.
Doctors R. F. Brooks and L. I. Matthews were summoned by telephone and reduced the fracture which was a compound one. The pain from the hurt was intense and shock will be a very severe one for Mr. Wick to bear as he is 75 years of age and not very strong. It will be along time before he will be able to be about. He is now getting along as well as could be expected.
Mornin',
For those of ya who liked the mathematical puzzle concernin the three guys and the bellboy with the missin’ dollar, here’s one better.
Three investors bought into a publishin’ company, each puttin’ up $400,000 (no more penny ante stuff) for a total investment of $1.2 million.
After lookin’ the deal over, the original owner figured he overcharged by $200,000. He brought in a lawyer to straighten out the deal. (He was the bellboy’s uncle.) He sent $40,000 back to each of the investors, and kept $80,000 for his trouble.
Here’s how it all adds up: Each investor ended up puttin’ in $360,000 for a total investment of $1,080,000. Add that to what the lawyer kept and ya end up with a grand total of $1,160,000. Subtract that from the original $1.2 million and the question of course bein’, what happened to the $40,000?
‘Course this took some figurin’, so take your time.
This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin’.
from the American Podiatric Medical Association
Sponsored by Randall Kunze, D.P.M.
Big Toe Trouble
The big toe probably bears the greatest burden when it comes to all the tasks we expect our feet to perform. Given its size, it caries a major share of our weight when walking, standing, running or pivoting. That is why it is particularly troubling when a condition called "hallux rigidus" strikes. As it name suggests, this malady renders the big toe rigid, stiff and immovable. Although it can affect young and old, it occurs more frequently with advancing age.
The condition is caused by an actual fusing of bones in the toe, and can take 15 to 20 years to bring a toe to complete immobility. Surgery is the only recourse for either restoring the existing joint or implanting an artificial one. Short of that, the use of arch supports to reduce pressure on the joint may help slow or arrest the condition.
If foot surgery has been recommended to you or a member of your family, you may wish to have a second opinion. In fact, many insurance companies require this.
The first Budget/Ways and Means Committee meeting to begin discussion of the budget for FY 97-98 was attended by all ten Council members last Monday night at City Hall. Committee Chair Bill Johnson requested some initial clarification on two points so estimates of actual expenditures could be produced.
The issue of City employee compensation and the question of coming to a conclusion on the request of the Library Board for additional funding were critical before any other items could be addressed Johnson told the Committee.
Johnson said that City Attorney David Dally was recommending the City calculate the Library’s “hold harmless” funds on the 12 mill levy in place when the City personal property tax was eliminated, adjusted for the current valuation. Under the agreement the Library Board would not go forward with legal action to recoup funds for previous years.
The City agreed, when it withdrew the personal property tax, to pay the Library and Park Board’s an amount equivalent to what they would have received from their levy, and therefore, hold them “harmless” for the City’s removing the tax.
For the last several years, the amount reimbursed to the Library was $15,000 per year. The recommended agreement would raise that to just over $36,000 and be adjusted each year. Johnson stated that he didn’t think such an agreement would be fair unless the Park Board agreement was also adjusted. The Board has received $23,000 as reimbursement for the last several years. This amount would raise to just over $58,000 and also be calculated annually. The Park Board’s levy is 19 mills.
Although the Park Board will no doubt appreciate the adjustment, the Council has historically granted funding in addition to the reimbursement. Some Committee members noted that additional requests by the Park Board, which amount to over $125,000 this year, will probably be affected by the agreement.
The discussion about the employee compensation program was less defining, but there was a general agreement to “plug in” the numbers recommended by the City contracted consultants, the Par Group. The recommended plan would implement thirteen, 2% increments for each grade.
New Council member J.D. Whitledge said the plan was very similar to other civil servant programs. The initial cost to the City to implement the plan would be approximately 4% or $120,000 for the first year. There was some question as to whether a 3% cost of living increase was included in the plan and clarification will be presented at tonight’s Budget Committee meeting.
The plan would not be the traditional across the board increase, but all classifications would receive at least a 3% increase, with some receiving as much as a 4.6% increase. The main change for most employees would be a continuing gradual increase in pay rather than the current three larger increases. The plan also raises the maximum pay for many positions, an adjustment recommended by the study presented by the Par Group.
City Clerk Barbara Welch told the Committee that the City Occupancy License restructuring recently approved by voters would cut revenues for the year by $42,000. She also said cigarette tax revenue would probably be down this year. A recent 11% increase in sales tax revenue is seen as unusual by Welch and she predicts that the raise will level off to a more traditional 4 or 5% for the year. She said much of this year's increase came from the annexation of Precious Moments.
The Committee decisions must be approved by the full Council.
I once heard a speaker say every kid should get to play baseball. Not just the best players, but every one of those youngsters sitting on the edge of the bench eagerly waiting to be called up for his chance to be a real baseball player. The speaker went on to say that every kid who wants to play baseball should be able to get out on the field and participate so when he's old he can say to his cronies, "now, when I played baseball ---."
I got to watch the "Tulip Festival" parade the other day. Seeing children proudly waving to their parents from the bed of a truck loaded with 4 H-ers or marching with the Brownies, I decided every kid should get to be in a parade.
When they have children they can doubly enjoy seeing them riding their decorated bicycle, remembering how it was when they did the same thing.
Here's my list of other things kids should get to do:
Be in a Christmas pageant.
Know the thrill of catching a fish.
Learn to ride a bicycle and to roller skate.
Run in a relay. Learn to work with their hands.
Watch ants and other bugs.
Watch a bird build a nest.
Play an instrument and march with a marching band.
Plant some seeds and watch them grow.
Add your own list of things every kids should get to do.