Did Ya Know... First Church of the Nazarene revival services will be October 8 - 12 at 7 p.m. nightly and Sunday 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Did Ya Know... The Maple Leaf Fun Walk will be held Sunday, October 12th. For information, call the Carthage Chamber at 358-2373.

Did Ya Know... The VantAge Point and Area Agency on Aging will have Generations Educational BINGO and a seminar on Understanding Psychotropic Medicines at Northpark Mall Friday, October 10th. Entertainment begins at 10 a.m.

Did Ya Know... For information on the Carthage Afghans, call the Carthage Chamber at 358-2373.

Did Ya Know... Powers Museum is having a quilt search game through October 12th. Participants will receive a museum souvenir upon completion of the game. For information, call 358-2667.

A new office boy was being shown his duties by the head clerk. Office Boy: What are those buckets for on the shelf in the back room? Clerk: Can’t you read? It says on them "For Fire Only." Office Boy: Then why do they put water in them?

"Can you read Chinese?"

"Only when it’s printed in English."

Lighting Plant Discussed.

The question of whether Carthage should or should not own her own lighting plant was thoroughly discussed this spring prior to the election when the proposition was voted on. The opponents of municipal ownership were given unlimited space in the columns of the Democrat and brought up all the arguments they could produce in opposition to the proposition. In addition, they dropped all the hints they could think of to befuddle the voter and fill his mind with doubts.

In spite of all that a majority of the voters who expressed their preference on the lighting question voted for municipal ownership, and there is every indication that many of those who before voted against the proposition or through doubts did not vote at all are now convinced that the city can and should do its own lighting and will so express themselves at the election two weeks hence.

Still Open for Opinion.

The question of whether County elected officials will receive substantial raises this year is unlikely if County Attorney Jim Spradling's interpretation of the law is followed.

Elected officials received a copy of the opinion yesterday afternoon. In the opinion, Spradling concluded that Senate Bill #11 does not impose automatic increases for first class counties.

"The statute in question which purports to set salaries based on assessed valuation is permissive," the opinion concluded. "The statute creating the Salary Commission speaks of "mandated" salary schedules. There is no mandated salary schedule for the officials in question. Therefore, the salaries shall be established by the Salary Commission for the county elected officials to take effect at the beginning of the next term of office of each elected officials."

The Salary Commission is made up of all elected County Officials. According to Spradling, the Commission has always had the authority to set salaries. They will meet and have their recommendation for the Commissioners by December 15.

From what I can understand about this County official salary thing, nothin' much has changed. The County Attorney is sayin' that the State legislature is not makin' the first class counties do anything, they just permitted the counties to pay up to a certain amount. Doesn't mean they have to.

Although at first glance, it might seem strange that the folks elected get to set their own salaries. But, the fact that they are elected does put some pressure on to keep ever'thing in balance. There is also the chance that if the job starts payin' too much, more folks might be influenced to run for a particular office.

There are some built in checks and balances in the setup.

There were some who figured that this new law would take the officials off the hook and make 'em give themselves raises. Doesn't look as though that's the case, but, there are prob'ly some other opinions floatin' about. May take a judge or two to settle this one.

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