Did Ya Know... Surviving Spouses Support Group will not be meeting Thurs., June 5, but will be taking a trip to Jolly Mills on Thurs., June 12. RSVP for transportation 358-2222 by June 3. Did Ya Know... McCune-Brooks Health Care Foundation presents "Grease" May 30 & 31 at the Carthage High School Auditorium. Tickets are available at Shoe Wearhouse, UMB Bank Main Branch, Hayden Dance Co., and The Foundation Office, 221 W. 4th. For more information call 358-8988. Did Ya Know... The Carthage Community Band will hold a traditional "Concert in the Park" this Sunday, June 1, at Central Park at 2:30 p.m.
The dead waiter's wife, after numerous attempts, contacts him through a medium. "Sam, Sam, I can't believe it's really you," she says joyfully. "Speak to me." A faint voice is heard, "I can't - it's not my table." Darragh was boasting of his grandfather, "He lived for ninety-four years and never once used glasses." "He had it right," nodded Phelim. "I always said it was healthier to drink straight from the bottle.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.
POTTERY IS PROSPEROUS.
The Carthage pottery is doing the liveliest business in its history. Ten thousand gallons of pottery are being turned out each week. This makes two carloads, and the product is shipped as fast as it is made - Carthage pottery having made an excellent reputation. Most of the goods go to Kansas, Oklahoma and Southern Missouri.
The employees number twenty people and as many of the men make exceptionally good wages the pay roll is quite large. Men who work on the wheels earn from $3.50 to $10.00 per day. This is strictly skilled labor, and men who can do the work well are very hard to find.
Mr. J. S. Browne, who has long been superintendent of the pottery, was naturally in good humor over the fine showing. The grade of the pottery is the best the company has ever succeeded in making.
The Budget/Ways and Means Committee managed to squeeze in one last reduction in funding at their meeting following last Tuesday's regular Council meeting. The meeting was scheduled for review of CW&EP's budget, but also included a discussion of outside agencies line item allocations.
After last week's round of cuts, the Committee Chair Bill Johnson requested that the Chamber of Commerce submit a recommendation as to what specific projects the Chamber would prefer being reduced. Those recommendations were the main topic of the ensuing discussion.
City Clerk Barbara Welch told the Committee that Chamber Director Heather Kelly had stated that the recommendations were flexible and the Chamber would accept any changes the Committee felt necessary.
Finance Committee Chair Lujene Clark expressed immediate objection to the $10,000 shown for Maple Leaf Festival promotion. The Budget Committee has previously discussed the notion that expandedpromotion of the event was unnecessary because the crowd already exceeds the capacity of the City. The funds were earmarked for a promotion in the Johnson County area of Kansas. Clark said it made no sense to pay for advertising so that people would come and spend the night in Joplin because there wasn't enough lodging in Carthage.
Committee member Jackie Boyer made the motion to strike that specific line item. "I do not want to see City money used to do a Kansas ad blitz," said Boyer.
The motion was approve unanimously.
Non-Committee member Nolan Henry opposed the reduction but could not vote on the Committee action. Charlie Bastin was also at the meeting as a nonmember. He expressed his pleasure at the vote. He has consistently opposed the City funding any outside agency.
"I was just wondering," said Bastin, "why, now, is everybody finally starting to get their conscience pricked. I think its finally working. I've pounded on it for about two years and two months."
Committee member Art Dunaway commended Bastin. "Charlie," said Dunaway, "you've done your job."
"Let's keep it up, ladies and gentlemen," said Bastin.
Henry praised the work the of the Chamber and Main Street Carthage for their hard work in improving the image and function of their organizations.
"You people are on the wrong track when you start attacking our income," said Henry. "That's the only influence this City is building right now is the tourism and the popularity of the City. If we hadn't done the advertising, you wouldn't have what you've got today in the City. I would be careful in getting so happy about cutting off what these organization have done."
Johnson explained that the recommendations had just been adjusted. The $10,000 was still within the $13,500 cut last week, it was merely moved from the Maple Leaf Festival.
"It's not whether or not we give people money, it's how that money is spent and if it's spent wisely," said Clark. "The whole point is that the lodging tax was passed so that these people would stay out of the City budget, and yet they're getting thousands, and thousands, and thousands more, even out of general funds. Just make them accountable. Know where this money is going."
Clark continued to object to the various recommended adjustments. "We're skating through all this. Everything that we've addressed went flying out the door," said Clark. "The last six weeks of budget, and all this for naught. They are still doing,-[throwing a pen on the desk]-what ever in the hell they want to do."
Johnson said the Committee was still controlling the adjustments. After some discussion, the entire $13,500 cut was shuffled to projects agreeable by the Committee.
"Now we've got the thirteen-five," said Johnson. "If you want to continue cutting, to whittle us out of the [overall] out of balance $57,000, whatever."
Clark moved that an additional $2,000 be cut from the "Information Station" project. Committee members Mike Harris and Bill Fortune voted against. The motion passed.
"We're going to get a balanced budget yet," said Clark. "Keep going."
Johnson said he felt somewhat guilty in the fact that a Chamber representative wasn't at the meeting and their request was being reduced more than had been stated.
"Well, just the two thousand," said Clark. "I'll compromise and shut up there. Don't take that two thousand away. I mean don't take that away from me. -[tossing papers on desk]- I scored one little victory out of this budget."
"And we applaud you," said Bastin.
Clark then wanted to be sure expenditures were earmarked for specific portions of each project. Johnson said he felt that might be difficult.
"If you get into micro management, then you might as well kick them out and do the job yourself," said Johnson.
"Bill, we're getting into micro management," said Clark, "because they didn't"
"—satisfy all of us, and I agree," said Johnson. "And we need to tighten it up."
"And maybe," said Clark, "we can loosen it up. But given on past performance, this next year, somebody needs to micro manage. Until they can get our trust back. They violated the peoples trust.
"Amen," said Bastin from across the room.
"If in the budget request," said Clark, "you had said that the registration [for a convention] was going to be two thousand dollars, and in fact it's a thousand, you shouldn't have that other money."
Johnson said he understood, but the overall numbers needed to be given to the City Clerk to prepare the final document.
"I'm just saying we have told them," said Clark, "upon the approval of the other thirty-one thousand, and this, they had to line item. And it's not being line itemed. I want it further line itemed."
"Right on, right on," Bastin encouraged.
"She considers this a line item," said Johnson.
"I don't consider this a line item," replied Clark.
"But this is all she gave you before," said Johnson.
"And look what happened," said Clark, again dropping her pen to the desk.
Johnson again explained that the budget document needed to be prepared. Member Boyer said that bills would have to come through Clark's Finance Committee to be approved, and that should be sufficient.
"That's fine," said Clark, pen landing on the desk, "I've said my piece. You all are going to do what you want to."
After a brief exchange of thoughts, City Clerk Welch broke a silence. "What do I do?" asked Welch.
"Well I'd say," said Clark, "that whatever the hell they want to do. It's the taxpayer's money, [paper slammed on desk] come next April, they can just talk to the [another slam] taxpayers if they don't care how it's spent."
Johnson quickly regained the meeting and the meeting adjourned after other business was attended.
I’m still a little amazed that they actually have a “Mr. Tea” on the market. The idea no doubt came from the skit on “Saturday Night Live” several years ago. A satire on the inability of some to boil water and put in a tea bag.
I’m not meanin’ to embarrass anyone who has purchased such a contraption, I just think its pushin’ the time savin’ devices a bit.
I would have to guess that it would be handy for those who like a hot cup a tea first thing in the mornin’. With a timer hooked up, it would save some of that lag time ‘fore the caffeine kicks in.
There is admittedly some comfort knowin’ that the tea would more or less take care of its self, no need to watch or test to see if it’s strength is just right.
I suppose the main question I would have is why not just use the “Mr. Coffee” and put in tea instead? Like I said, I’m just a little amazed that there is a market, but this is the country that spent a fortune buyin’ packaged rocks.
This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin’.
by Mari An Willis
The benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids are well established as a food supplement. Some conditions which may be improved with consistent use of these oils include: high cholesterol levels prevention of strokes and heart attacks angina psoriasis and eczema rheumatoid arthritis FLAX SEED OIL is nature's richest source of Omega-3 oils. Though the taste is unique and the oil is not to be heated the benefits are worth your developing a taste.
Barbara's Flax Seed Oil Dressing 2 oz. Braggs vinegar 1 oz. water 5 oz. flax seed oil 1 tsp. Garlic-n-Herb seasoning (salt-free) Add any additional seasoning you may wish to. Spice up your cole slaw, warm potato salad, or pasta salads.
by Carolyn L. Wyatt, GRI
There are a lot of interesting properties on the market for sale in our area right now. Prices vary according to size, style and condition of the property, with location always a factor. Currently there are houses in Carthage city limits, on the market from $15,000 to $350,000.
Property located outside of town starts out at $15,000 to $299,000 before you reach 10 or more acres in size of acreage. This information comes from the Carthage MLS.
I guess what I am saying is that there is a lot to offer for everyone. Whatever your dream home is it may very well be out there just waiting for you. For those of you looking for investment property there are a few offerings in multi-family rentals. For those of you wanting to purchase that first rental property there are some excellent single family properties available right now. The return on investment property is very good for a longer term investment.
Should you not want the sometimes inconvenience of managing those properties there are property manager available, check them out.
Interest rates are still round 8.5% and terms are still available form our local lenders and mortgage bankers for as low as 7.35%. There are many different terms available from these lenders so check them out on what they have to offer.