Did Ya Know... The Four State Diabetes Support Group will hold a meeting on Aug. 27 at McCune-Brooks Hospital cafeteria from 4 to 5 p.m. Topics will be "The Highlights and Changes on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus." For information or to register, call Kathy at 359-5082 or Judy at 417-659-2231.

Did Ya Know... Laura Washburn will be at Northpark Mall Aug. 22 to help you discover the best colors to wear. The program is made available by The VantAge Point and Area Agency On Aging.

Did Ya Know... Sat. and Sun. will be a Topsy Turvy Weekend at Powers Museum. For details, call 358-2667.

Did Ya Know... There will be at dinner at Carthage Mosonic Lodge on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 5:30 p.m. Following dinner will be the installation of officers at 6:30 p.m. Members and their ladies are invited.

Q: How many baby-sitters does it take to change a light bulb? A: None. They don’t make Pampers small enough.

Two goats are busy eating garbage. One finds a roll of old film and chews it up.

"Did you enjoy the film?"

"Actually, I preferred the book."

He has a soundproof head!

The application of H. C. Messenger, receiver of the Carthage Water Works Co., for authority to make improvements in the water works here has been granted by Judge Phillips. Mr. Messenger will proceed at once to construct the reservoir.

A fact that not only speaks well for Carthage but shows that prosperity in the southwest is no myth is that both Wells & Wiggins and S. B. Griswold’s wholesale grocery stores are represented on the road by an increased force of traveling men. The former now employs four traveling men, whereas only a short time they employed but two. The latter now have three traveling men where before they had two.

August brought the birthday anniversary of one of the oldest pair of twins in existence - Mrs. Polly Wiggins and Mrs. Katherine Emry, of Carthage.

Council Hears TIF Opinion.

The City Council was addressed by attorney Steve Crystal during a special Council meeting last Wednesday night in City Hall. Crystal was retained by the City to give opinion on the status of the pending agreement for developing the Precious Moments Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. He came from Kansas City to answer any questions concerning a memorandum he had submitted for the Councils consideration.

Council member Donna Harlan asked for clarification of the City’s obligation to continue with the proposed TIF arrangement.

Crystal explained that the TIF Plan had been approved by the Council, but only when a TIF Development Agreement was approved would there be the mechanism to actually implement the plan.

Harlan stated that since the Plan was approved nearly two years ago, there are now some Council members who question whether a TIF district is in the best interest of the City.

Under State authority, the City can create a TIF district and capture all property taxes created by improvements within the district for a period of up to twenty-three years. The funds are then used to pay for public improvements within the district such as water, wastewater, streets, lighting, etc.

A TIF commission was established that approved and submitted the Precious Moments Plan to the Council in late 1995.

A preliminary TIF Agreement was presented to Precious Moments in mid 1996. Economic Development Director Max McKnight told the Committee he received a response to the initial offer a few weeks ago.

Crystal told the Council that he felt that negotiations for the agreement should protect the City in the most acceptable manner possible. The Council asked for a proposal from Crystal to represent the City in negotiations.

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This lawyer fella talkin’ to the Council appears to have done this sort a thing before. Says he stays out of the politics or "policy" part of the process. He just tries to make sure the policy is carried out in a decent manner.

The problem bein’ raised is that some of the Council weren’t on the Council when the policy was made. A common occurrence where folks get elected.

From what this lawyer was sayin’, he’s seen that before too.

Although this guy was a careful speaker, he did seem to have some idea of what he was talkin’ about. He knew what not to say for sure.

It appears that the whole issue of TIF may be gettin’ another look see.

What the City has now is a signed contract that says it might be a good idea to have a TIF district. Now it’s just a matter of workin’ out the details. If the details don’t get worked out, all it was was a good idea, but its a no deal. There seems to be interest in at least workin’ toward a conclusion.

This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin’.

Natural Nutrition

by MariAn Willis

Ginkgo Biloba is an herb which has received much attention lately for its ability to bring a greater blood supply to the brain, thus increasing the rate at which information is transmitted to the nerve cell level. This means Ginkgo may be of great benefit in many cases of senility, dementia or when the brain needs a boost of energy. In the book Encyclopedia Of Natural Medicine, Drs. Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno describe other conditions for which it may be beneficial. This book also has a wonderful reference section listing the clinical studies performed using many herbs. Worth a look for those of us who prefer to have some documentation of an herb’s worth according to today’s standards.

This is still the time of year when people are dealing with hay fever and other allergies. Fenugreek is an excellent choice for using as a gargle for sore throat and to help clear the mucous from the bronchial passages. The seed of the plant is used for stomach problems and is cooling and soothing to any passage.

Catnip is another herb you may want to consider during the start of the fall season. The Indians used it for infant colic, but it has been reported to us as also being used to help colds. Drink as a warm tea when you notice the first symptoms. It helps with fatigue and circulation. It is said to help with the aches, pains, upset stomach and diarrhea associated with the flu. We are approaching the season where these "bugs" will be visiting from time to time.

Opinion

by Bubs Hohulin

This week I attended a three day conference of water quality for the state. With all of the issues coming up concerning the environment, I figured this was an important conference to attend. Also, since it was held in Branson, travel expenses were held to a minimum.

Some of the speakers were downright scary! A lady from the EPA out of Washington, D. C. gave the usual, "sterile clean at any price, and if the taxpayers balk, they are just selfish" line. Folks, these people are for real. They firmly believe that agricultural production, industry, and people as a whole are evil and must be stopped! Some of these folks will not be happy until they have put everyone out of business. She praised a state senator from Maryland that stood in a river and declared he wouldn't be happy until he could see his feet! Most senators I know can't see their feet whether they're in a river or on dry land!

An alarming trend we have noticed is that self-proclaimed environmental experts will issue a report, with no scientific evidence, that our water, air, or whatever is being polluted, depleted, or something else. These reports are then given air time on the evening news as fact and nothing is done to refute it.

No one wants their kids to drink dirty water or breathe polluted air. The problem is the environmentalists have been successful at making everything a crisis whether one exists or not. A perfect example was brought up by one of the speakers. A parcel of land was found to have lead mine tailings buried about 10 feet deep. The lead was not leaching into ground water, nor was it exposed to the air where it could be caught up into dust. An asphalt parking lot was proposed to effectively cap the lead and turn the land into something productive. EPA turned the idea down, saying the lead had to be dug up and disposed of first, adding great expense to the project with no environmental gain.

A word of caution I would like to add, is please don't get caught up in the "let's get the big guy attitude." It is easy to say "let's regulate the big factory, the big livestock farm, or the big industry." Don't be fooled. The environmental activists won't rest until everyone is included, whether you have a line of farm machinery or a single automobile, whether you have a factory or a backyard barbecue grill, whether you have a 10,000 head feed lot or 10 cows on a small pasture. We need to be on constant guard against losing even more of the few liberties we have left.

As usual, I may be reached at 1-800-878-7126 or House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments, or advice.