Did Ya Know... One of the most popular events of last year's Christmas season was the Chamber's Prime Rib Dinner/Christmas Light Tour. Four nights will be offered (Dec. 6, 11, 16 and 18) this season. Due to heavy response from out of town early reservations, Carthage residents are urged to make their plans and make reservations early as space is limited. For reservations or more information, call 358-2373.
Did Ya Know... Powers Museum "History on Video Series" will present Civilian Conservation Corps on June 14 and 15 at 11, 1 and 3.
A kleptomaniac had been caught for the fifth time. Rather than go through the rigamarole of police reports and trials, the manager tried to reason with the shoplifter. "Look," the manager said, "there's another department store in this town. Why don't you go to them?" The thief answered, "You give a better value for a dollar!"
I came home last night and there was the car in the dining room. I asked my sixteen-year-old, "How did the car get in the dining room?" "Oh, it was easy. I just made a left turn when I came out of the kitchen!"
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.
Man Killed by Lightning.
A miner at Blendville was instantly killed by a stroke of lightning while riding on horseback. The first intimation of the tragedy was when a riderless horse quivering with fright dashed up to the residence of Mrs. Danforth, in West Blendville, and nickered at the stable door.
Mrs. Danforth saw that it was her son's horse. A search party was started, and at a point on the road just south of the Bolen plant their worst fears were realized. Albert W. Danforth, the unfortunate man, was found lying by the roadside stone dead, with the mark left by lightning on his left temple.
An examination later showed that the bolt struck him in the head passing through his hat, which was torn to fragments, and down the outside of his left leg, splitting his shoe to pieces as it passed out between his toes.
Death must have been instantaneous and the unfortunate man fell from the horse which escaped injury.
The City Council will hear the first reading of the proposed 1997/98 budget at tonight's meeting at City Hall. The budget will come with the recommendation of the Budget/Ways and Means Committee.
The proposed budget would allocate approximately $1.4 million for the Police Department, approximately $1.2 million for the Street Department & Engineering Department, and approximately $1.1 million for the Fire Department.
The allocation for general administration is approximately $320,000 and the Economic Development Department approximately $100,000 with CW&EP contributing half.
The Council will also review and consider the submitted budget for CW&EP for approval. The budget also comes with the recommendation of the Budget Committee. The utilities $15 million budget includes a transfer to the City totaling $1.1 million. Approximately $265,000 will come from the collection of PILOT tax with the remainder coming from the rate structure. Also included in CW&EP budget are Economic Development Funds of $175,000. Of that comes funding for a portion of the City Economic Development Department. The balance will be committed to expansion of existing industry, development of new industry and other community support.
The submitted budget also includes a 30% discounted electric rate for all City Departments which is expected to lower the annual cost of power for the City by approximately $90,000.
CW&EP will also continue the program begun in Fiscal Year 1993/94 that will reimburse developers of plotted subdivisions a portion of the cost of water and wastewater lines, up to $100,000, as a financial incentive for expansion and development of subdivisions within the City. A $100,000 reserve will be established to allow CW&EP to be competitive as deregulation of the utility industry moves forward.
According to documentation submitted to the Council, projected electrical revenues are based on rates restated in January of 1994. In projecting the revenues surveyed local major industries, incorporating expansions and new loads, a KWH growth of 3.5% over projected usage for FY 1996/97 has been used for large industry. Prior years' experience and 1996/97 growth were used to project commercial account growth at 2% and residential growth at 1.5%.
Purchased power costs to support this level of sales include 30 megawatts of power from Sikenston facility, 7 megawatts from the Southwestern Power Administration, local generation during peak periods and economy purchases from other sources as available.
Water Department revenues are based on rates adopted in July of 1996. These rates, when combined with the 1/2 cent capital improvements sales tax approved by voters, will cover the cost of debt service for $6 million to be used in the Water Department upgrade in addition to operation and maintenance costs.
Residential water usage is based on a growth figure of 2%; commercial and industrial water growth, based on an industrial customer survey and experience factors, is estimated at 5.1% Capital expenses for the Water Department, to serve new construction and upgrade the present system, are estimated at $6,941,428. Of this amount, $6,535,428 is expected from grant funds, contributions in aid of construction and from water bond funds. The capital cost to be paid from CW&EP reserves, after deducting grant and bond funds and contributed capital, is $406,000. Waste water revenues are based on rates adopted in July of 1996.
The same level of growth is assumed for wastewater as is forecast for water. Wastewater rates, when combined with sales tax revenue, are designed to cover a portion of the debt service for $6 million of improvements in the wastewater treatment plant.
The real possibility of the Myers Park Airport bein' reopened in a limited capacity may be closer to reality that many had thought. As easily as the Council voted to close the facility, it could also decide to let planes use the airstrip.
That simplicity, plus the fact that the City is currently payin' Springfield lawyers to defend the Council's position in court, may encourage what is believed to be one Council member, all that seems to be needed, to come over with the presumed five already pullin' for a reconsideration.
Council member Art Dunaway, with historic airport enthusiasm, is proposin' that if the single runway was opened, some state funds, and possibly federal funds could be acquired to help build a new landing strip.
Some talk has been made in open meetings, but support behind the scenes is bein' assessed and there may reason to believe a vote will be forthcoming in the near future. Pressure may come ta bear on that sixth vote.
This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin'.
Sponsored by Computer Minded/On The Net
If you think about the time when the Internet first started to become popular there were only a few thousand host computers connected to the Internet. To this small group of people the Internet was their own little world. These original internet users developed some standards (no laws, just guidelines) regarding the Internet. These standards or sets of rules were called Netiquette. The guidelines they set were the norm for themselves but many new Internet users are not aware of them. Sometimes, violating these Netiquette guidelines can get you into trouble (you may receive a nasty letter or complaint). Here are some examples of some of the guidelines they set:
TYPING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS - This applies any time you are sending messages on the Internet. Typing in all capital letters is considered an expression of anger and the reader may think you are yelling! This is probably the most widely known and followed example of Netiquette.
Unsolicited email - Have you ever received an email from a company or store advertising a sale? Probably not, but have you ever wondered why? A company could easily send out millions of email messages to customers nation wide to advertise their product. The reason you never get such messages is because it is an extreme violation of Netiquette.
Subject: Hello from the land of the Frozen Tundra
Date: Wed., 28 May 1997
From: Thomas & Corrine Candela candy@pitnet.net
Good afternoon H.J.
I just thought I would e-mail you and relay how much I enjoy reading the Mornin' Mail each day. I especially like the news on the Weather, as out here in Waukesha, Wisconsin, we are still in the grips of winter-like weather.
While you were all back there basking in the sun this Memorial Day Weekend I was all bundled up in my usual turtleneck and raincoat. Just for you locals we out here had 40's on Sunday and along with the warm weather we had wind up to 30 m.p.h., heck, we even had a "wind chill" to go along with the cool temperatures. So you folks enjoy all those sunny warm days and send some nice weather our way.
We miss all of you Carthage folks, I hope to be back for a visit this summer.
Your friend, Corrine Candela 2500 Lander lane Waukesha, WI 53188
Sponsored by Lady J
by Sharon Mitchell
The "natural" look is very fashionable. Unfortunately, nature hasn't been so kind to some of us, who were are forced to use artificial means to get the "natural" look. My hair is naturally straight and grey. Fortunately, my stylist gives me artificial "natural" curl and a "natural" color to compensate for nature's neglect.
My shoulders are naturally narrow and sloped. To carry the shoulder strap of my purse over my shoulders, I must wear artificial shoulders (shoulder pads). Sometimes I run into problems with my "natural" artificial supports. Perms and colors grow out and must be reapplied, and sometimes shoulder pads slip out of place and fall to the elbows or the floor.
While watching TV the other day, I saw an interesting item for a "natural" look - underpants with artificial derriere pads. For me, nature has been more than generous in this area, but I wonder about people who, for some strange reason, want their backside to look larger. I hope their pads are more secure than my shoulder pads. I chuckle when I think of where "rear-end" pads could go if they slipped from their "natural" position.
If your "natural" look doesn't look so natural, there are places you can go for help. A good stylist can give you curl and color if nature has given you the short end of that stick; a good nail tech can give you pretty "natural" looking nails; and as for shoulders and those other body parts, just remember: "What God has forgotten can be filled with cotton."
sponsored by McCune Brooks Hospital
SOBERING FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL:
continued from last week
The next time someone tells you that it's safer to substitute alcohol for a controlled substance, here are some facts you can use to shake up that mistaken notion:
8. Because of the physical problems caused by alcoholism, average health care costs of alcoholic patients for any disease or condition is several times higher than for non-alcoholic patients.
9. Alcohol is often a contributing factor in spousal abuse and child abuse.
10. Alcohol is a major contributory factor to mistakes in the workplace that can range from minor to potentially life-threatening, depending on the work one does.
Besides giving you talking points in any discussion over the merits of drug abuse vs. alcohol, I'd like to add one especially sobering fact: The use of alcohol among young people is increasing, and the age of youngsters who begin drinking is getting lower all the time. A recent investigation in substance abuse among teenagers and preteens revealed that drinking often begins in the eighth grade. We are in the midst of a serious problem with our young people, and we need to deal with it now before we have to deal with its serious consequences.