Columns

I’ve been in office as your mayor a month now, and it has been both an exciting and interesting month. 

I was in office only 10 days when the Region D Water Planning Board met.  I felt it was important that I speak at their meeting about correcting the omissions and just plain old out and out mistakes that were mysteriously submitted as both our short term and long term (30-40-50 year) water plans.  The water engineer for the board has made the corrections and the next step to approval of our plan will be a hearing in July.  I’ll be there. 

Van Zandt County Genealogical Society

The fat head miracle diet

Over 75 percent of us are fat. Woops, I forgot to be socially correct. Over 75 percent of us are obese. Over one in four are morbidly obese. Woops, medically obese. We don’t eat too much, we simply eat the wrong stuff. We blame the obesity disaster on the terrible food industry, but they did not force feed us. We chose to be “brain dead” by continuing to eat junk food. 

The big epidemic today Obesity of the Brain, or OOTB. It is not caused by Too Much Information, or TMI. We hear the same low grade unhealthy information too many times.

Are you predominantly a “Yes” person or a “NO” person?  Are you primarily a “Yes” parent or a “No” parent?  Are you that employee at the company that everyone knows, will always know why something new will not work?  Are you the “Yes” in your marriage or are you the constant NO in the relationship?  A friend once said, “To me, there is always a cloud behind every silver lining!”  He was a glass half-empty friend-could you tell? 

Van Zandt County Genealogical Society

Formal opening of Foster’s Clover Farm Store will be held Friday and Saturday at their new location in Canton. The store is located in the Zack More building next to the Plaza Theatre. A big affair is planned for the occasion. Glenn Foster, owner, told the press this week. Coffee is to be served all-day Saturday. Foster’s Grocery and Market was formerly located next door to Eubank Bros. The concern moved to its new location last week. Glenn Foster began his grocery career in 1933 as a clerk for A. H. Travis. In 1943 Charlie Brock bought out the Travis interest. The store became known as Travis and Foster Grocery and Market. (See newspaper for complete article.)

June Consumer Tips from the Independent Bankers Assoc. of Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — Being a savvy consumer in your healthcare purchasing decisions provides you with information and incentives to choose healthcare providers based on value. Value is not only about price but also includes quality. You can save money on your healthcare expenses by finding and employing physicians and other providers who believe in the free market. The tips listed below are a few of the many ways to lower your out-of-pocket expenditures and possibly your future premiums. 

Ask the Price First

Get the app for that

The sun is shining through the window for the first time in a long time. This calls for a major decision. I take this visit with you very seriously. This week I will not be preaching healthy living, but I will meddle in your personal life. I am as serious as a tick. Our children have less life expectancy than we do. We are losing the battle of obesity. We have let the sickness and food processing industries, with the blessing of government, tell us what and how to eat and drink and what drugs to put in our bodies. They are doing a costly and lousy job.

Ninety nine percent of me being smart is knowing what I am dumb at. After years of taking bad advice I only listen to those who walk the talk. My doctor, nutritionist and trainers are athletes. I see my doctor twice a year for the Medicare Wellness physical. The other “experts” are free. I got an app for that.

By Brad Blakemore

Publisher

Last week I heard from a few unhappy people regarding the downtown parking situation. Apparently, the Canton Police went on a ticket-writing spree and violators were asked to pay $42 for the privilege of parking around the square for more than two hours.

I have to believe that last week's offenders knew it was against the law to park on or around certain parts of the square from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The parking signs are posted, although somewhat inconsistent. Some read “2 HR PARKING." Some are red, some are green. Some say “2 HR PARKING Mon – Fri,” but offer no hours. Others say “Mon – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” and some areas have the information painted on top of the curb. Any way you look at it, the signs are there as a reminder not to park in these spots for more than two hours.