The Kueckelhan Ranch Rodeo celebrates its 48th consecutive annual event this year with two familiar and popular entertainment performances at the Wednesday and Thursday evening events on July 23rd and 24th. For the price of the rodeo ticket alone, fans will be treated to personal appearances of two outstanding and popular entertainers, the group Richochet on Wednesday evening and singer David Ball on Thursday night.
 

Applauded by hundreds of thousands at NASCAR Winston Cup events at major league baseball, football and hockey games all over America with their moving rendition of the national anthem, Richochet is one of country music’s most sought-after groups. Lead by vocalist and guitarist Heath Wright, the 6-man band made country music history when their "Star Spangled Banner" made it to the charts. Rodeo goers at Wednesday’s event at the Kueckelhan Ranch Rodeo will recognize "What Do I Know", "Daddy’s Money", "Connected At the Heart" and "Ease My Troubled Mind", among more than a dozen of their singles that lead the Top 10 to the Top 40 for weeks in record-breaking popularity.
David Ball ‘s patriotic "Riding With Pvt. Malone" on his album, "Amigo" had already started up the charts when the 9/11 tragedy occurred but became a vessel of expression for people trying to come to grips with that heartbreaking experience. David’s first album and single, "Thinking Problem" earned double platinum with sales of more than 2 million copies. Featured in USA Today and other entertainment publications, he has made guest appearances on numerous national television shows. Ball will be featured at the Thursday evening rodeo.
 

Advanced tickets and season pass tickets to the Kueckelhan Ranch Rodeo on Hwy. 78 north of Bonham are discounted and available through noon on opening night, Wednesday, July 23rd at the following locations: in Bonham at S&E Western Wear, Red River Fishing Hole, and Cowboy Outfitters; in Sherman at Kemper’s Cowboy Shop, Rebirth Leather and Dennards in the Midway Mall, and at Teners; in Paris and Greenville at Cavendars; in Durant at Larry Dyson Motors.

July’s Upcoming Events Senior Circle
Northeast Chapter

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00 am & 2:00 pm: Exercise Classes
Exercising has never been so much fun! Join us in the morning or afternoon, whichever you prefer. Classes are held in the Northeast Medical Center cafeteria. This exercise class is a full body workout, with cardio activities, leg strengthening, arm strengthening and stretching. You are welcome to come and observe a class at any time, to see if you are interested.
Tuesday, July 8, 2003: Monthly Meeting and PICNIC Potluck:
 

The monthly meeting will be held in the Northeast Medical Center cafeteria, starting at 11:00 am. In honor of Independence Day, please bring a picnic dish (fried chicken, potato salad, sandwiches, etc.) to share. Senior Circle will provide plates, napkins, utensils and drinks. Please use this opportunity to sign up for upcoming events. This is also a great time to make suggestions as to what services you would like the Senior Circle to provide, and to make suggestion on upcoming trips and activities.
As an added bonus, we will have a guest speaker at this time. The guest speaker will speak with us about Medicare Benefits. Door prizes will be given away.
Tuesday, July 15, 2003 @ 10:30 am: New York City Presentation:
Senior Circle is going to New York on December 5, 2003! A representative from Collette Vacations is coming to the hospital July 15, 2003 to present to us this New York City vacation opportunity. The tour is called The New York City Holiday Tour and includes such events as a tour of Radio City Music Hall, which features The Rockettes, and Christmas shopping in the world’s most famous stores.
If you are interested in this trip, please come and find out all of the details. If you are just interested in seeing the slide show presentation of New York City, then you are welcome also. It should be fun just to see the presentation. Please RSVP at 903-640-7341 if you are interested.
There will be no quilting club on Thursday, July 17. The Creative Arts Center is unavailable on this date.
Friday, July 18, 2003 @ 9:00 am: Central Market
 

This trip was such a success last July, and I have had so many requests for us to repeat it, that we are going again. For you that were unable to attend last year, Central Market is "Grocery Store Heaven." It is 75,000 square feet of fresh foods that you can not find anywhere else. The guided tour lasts about one hour. On the tour, our guide will give us cooking ideas, recipes and plenty of samples. If you are still hungry after all the samples, we will eat in the cafe, which is located at the end of the tour.
We will leave from the hospital cafeteria at 9:00 am. The tour begins at 10:00 am and we will eat afterwards. We should arrive home no later than 2:00 pm. Please call the Senior Circle offices at 903-640-7341 to RSVP, so we can insure we have plenty of transportation.
Monday, July 21, 2003: Lunch Bunch at The Purple Sage Bistro
Meet us at The Purple Sage Bistro at 11:00 am. And, don’t forget Purple Sage is a Senior Circle Sponsor, so we will receive 10% off our meal ticket price. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends. Please call the Senior Circle offices at 903-640-7341 to RSVP.
Thursday, June 26, 2003: Red, White and Blue Bingo
Meet us in the NEMC hospital cafeteria for a good time. Bring something that’s patriotic to share as a bingo prize. Everyone is a winner! And, as always, there is always a grand prizewinner.
July 30, 2003 at 11:00 am: Lunch and Learn
John Esser, RN and Melanie Todd, RN will be our guest speakers at this month’s Lunch and Learn. They will be speaking with us about the benefits of home health. They will discuss the services offered, and the cost effectiveness of home health vs. hospitalization.
 

As always, there will be a catered meal provided to all Senior Circle members. The cost for non-members is $6.00 per person. Since this is a catered event, please RSVP at 903-640-7341 by July 24, 2003, so I can assure there is plenty of food for everyone.
Thursday, July 31, 2003 @ 10:00 am: Quilting Club
The Quilting Club has grown! Come and meet our new members and see what new and exciting techniques they are sharing. Our Quilting Club meets at The Creative Arts Center at 200 W. 5th Street in Bonham. Remember, the Creative Arts Center waves their fees during this time for Senior Circle Members.
If you are 50 or better, you are welcome to join us at any upcoming Senior Circle events.
For more information about The Senior Circle, please feel free to call Allison at the Senior Circle office at (903) 640-7341.

Veterans Of Foreign Wars

Recently, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, James E. Bragg Post 4852, Bonham, and the Ladies Auxiliary installed their officers for the 2003-2004 year. Kathy Stanley, Dist. I President, installed the following officers for the year: Wynell McClure, President; Judy Griffis, Sr. Vice-President; Dayle Shiverdecker, Jr. Vice-President; Kathy Stanley, Treasurer; Debbie Morris, Secretary; Bea Hipp, Conductress; Ann Deets, Chaplain; Faye Jackson, Guard; Jamie Salinas and Mrytis Williams.

District I - Officers were installed at the Dist. meeting held in May at the Denton Post. Officers from James E. Bragg, Post # 4852, Bonham were: Kathy Stanley, Dist. I L.A. Pres.; Wynell McClure, Dist. I Historian; Sonny Bingham, Jr., Vice Commander; Stan Harley, Service Officer; Bill Griffis, VAVS and Judy Griffis, VAVS

Billy Barr, Past Post Commander, installed the men officers: Sonny Bingham, Commander; Steve Russell, Sr. Vice and Adj.; Jerry Shiverdecker, Jr. Vice; Fred Fowler, Chaplain; George Sutterfield, Judge Advocate; Stan Harley, Quartermaster; Grady Humphres, Trustee I; Lloyd Dodson, Trustee II; Wylie Fox, Trustee III.

Seniors: Living Trusts Are Not for Everyone

By Greg Abbott

Attorney General of Texas

Our office has heard reports about unethical sales of living trusts. Some victims have paid as much as $1,800 for a living trust on the advice of door-to-door sales persons. Too often, the sale is made without regard for whether a living trust really is in the client’s best interests. The fact is, for a majority of seniors, a living trust is NOT preferable to a will and a durable power of attorney.

A living trust is a legal document that usually is created for the purpose of allowing another person to assist you in managing your assets while you are alive, and for distributing your assets after you are gone.

A living trust is different from a "living will" (now called a "directive to physicians and family or surrogates"), which expresses your health care wishes about being kept alive or not if you are seriously injured or terminally ill.

A living trust involves three parties: the grantor, the trustee and the beneficiary. As grantor, you transfer ownership and control of your money, property, and other assets to the trust, which is managed by the trustee for the benefit of the beneficiary.

You can serve as the grantor, trustee and the beneficiary of the trust. You can also name another person or an institution such as your bank to serve as the trustee for you. This option is typically used when you are facing a debilitating or terminal illness that may impair your judgment.

If you are currently serving as your own trustee, the successor trustee will distribute the remainder of the trust after your death. The distribution of your assets after your death will be governed by the directions you provide in the trust document.

Some sales people often lead victims to believe that probate proceedings are overly lengthy and costly, and a living trust should be used in order to avoid probate. In fact, the probate process in Texas is one of the least expensive and simplest in the United States. Also, remember that a living trust is not the only way to avoid probate.

"A living trust will reduce death taxes on your estate" is a frequently used, misleading statement. Most Texans will not face estate taxes. If your estate is subject to taxes, you can use a will to accomplish the same tax savings as a trust, usually at a much lower cost.

Living trusts are not appropriate for the majority of seniors. In fact, for some people, the expense of creating, administering, maintaining and funding a living trust can outweigh the benefit of having a living trust.

In deciding if a living trust is right for you, be sure not to succumb to high-pressure sales tactics. Be wary of phrases like "once in a lifetime," "act now," and "don’t let this pass you by."

Whether a living trust is an appropriate estate planning tool depends on your personal financial situation, health condition and goals. For example, living trusts are often appropriate for someone who is facing a serious incapacity like Alzheimer’s. You should discuss the benefits and drawbacks with accountants, attorneys and financial planners who are experienced in this area and whom you trust before taking any action.

You should also be cautious about allowing a living trust salesperson to see your assets and your net worth because the salesperson may use this knowledge to sell you inappropriate investments. If you are subsequently contacted by a salesperson offering annuity products, you should be aware that there are several types of annuities, many of which are not appropriate for seniors as a tool for financial planning.

You can find more information on living trusts and other forms of advance planning on the Senior Texans Section of our Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us. Be sure also to visit the State Bar’s Web Site at www.texasbar.com for information related to this subject.

If you believe you have been victimized by a living trust scam, you can file a complaint in the Consumer Protection Section of our Web site. You can also request a complaint form by calling the Consumer Protection Division at (800) 621-0508. Information on this and other topics is available on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us.

Beware of Telephone Fraud

By Greg Abbott

Attorney General of Texas

"You’ve won a free trip to Cancun! All you have to do is pay taxes and a small fee." Sound familiar? Our Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of complaints about telephone fraud each year.

Phone scams fall into two major categories: telemarketing fraud and unfair or deceptive practices by telephone service providers.

Telemarketing fraud involves calls you may receive offering free gifts, "fabulous" vacations or valuable items that have been drastically reduced in price. You are usually told that you have won a contest– all you have to do is pay the shipping and handling, taxes or "fees." The fees may be worth more than the prize and the prize may never actually appear.

Many people have been swindled in get-rich-quick deals. Someone may call you and offer a no-risk, high-profit deal in real estate or oil and gas. These are generally bogus. High-profit investments are usually high-risk, and legitimate investment opportunities are not sold over the phone.

One of the most vicious phone scams is the foreign lottery. You receive a call from someone who tells you that you’ve won a huge prize and all you have to do is pay the taxes or "fees" in advance. Whatever money you send, they keep.

Once you have fallen for one of these lottery scams, the same criminals may try to rob you again by posing as law enforcement agents who will "help" recover your money. There will, of course, be a fee involved, and you will never recoup the money you originally lost.

There are several ways you can protect yourself. Most important: if you believe the person on the line is trying to cheat you, just hang up. Remember, they called you.

Another common theme in telemarketing fraud is the misuse of personal financial information. Phone scammers may try to persuade you to tell them your bank account information, social security number or credit card numbers. Do not give out this information unless you know you are dealing with a reputable company.

Under Texas law, if you use a credit card to buy from a telephone solicitor, the seller must offer a full refund for returned goods that are unopened and undamaged, provided they are returned within seven days from when the buyer received them. In addition, federal law allows you to dispute a credit card charge with the bank that issued the card. You can refuse to pay a questionable portion of your credit card bill pending the outcome of your dispute. Disputes over credit card bills must be made in writing.

The second major kind of phone fraud we hear about involves unfair or deceptive business practices by local and long distance telephone service providers. The most common of these deceptive practices are "slamming" and "cramming.""Slamming" is when your local or long distance phone service is switched from one provider to another without your knowledge or consent. ‘Cramming’ is adding unauthorized charges to your phone bill. These include charges for products or services you are not familiar with, or regulatory fees billed by companies other than your service providers.

Read your phone bill carefully. Notify service providers about unauthorized charges or changes in your phone service. If you have been slammed, ask your local phone company to switch you back to your preferred long distance provider. If you are a victim of cramming, ask to have the unauthorized charges removed. Under Texas law, you are not required to pay unauthorized charges.

It is hard to imagine our lives today without the convenience of the telephone. Use it safely and remember: if someone calls and says you have won millions in a lottery, HANG UP! DO NOT send the money. Information on this and other topics is available on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us.

Safe Shopping by Catalog

By Greg Abbott

Attorney General of Texas

The Internet and the telephone have drastically changed the way Americans

shop. Catalog sales are a multi-billion dollar business. The click of the mouse and the 24/7 toll-free number allow us to shop from our homes at any hour of the day or night.

Millions of shoppers benefit from the convenience of catalog shopping. However, a few precautions can help ensure that your experiences are positive.

When shopping online, be sure that you are using a secure server. Check the location at the top of your browse window. The Web page on the merchant’s site where you actually enter your personal information should begin with https:// rather than http://. The "s" indicates a secure server.

Do not e-mail your personal financial information. Beware of a recent trend in Internet scams. Thieves may send you an e-mail that appears to be from a well known merchant, with the request that you e-mail your

financial information for "verification." No legitimate online sales company would ask you to do this.

It is very easy to set up a business under almost any name online. If you are not familiar with a company, verify the existence of a real address and phone number. You should also familiarize yourself with the company’s

return and privacy policies. The privacy policy should reveal how your information is being collected on the Web site and how that information is being used.

Pay by credit card when possible, whether you are shopping online or by telephone. The Fair Credit Reporting Billing Act (FCRBA) enables you to dispute charges to your credit card under certain guidelines and withhold payment pending the creditor’s investigation. If the charges are found to be erroneous or fraudulent, generally you are only held liable for the first $50 of the charge.

Be sure to print out a copy of the purchase form or order verification for your records. Under federal law, you must receive your catalog order within a reasonable time. Six weeks is considered reasonable for a business to advertise. If the business does not advertise a specific delivery time, 30 days is considered reasonable.

If a shipment is delayed, you must be notified of the new delivery date and you must also be allowed to cancel the order. If you decide to cancel, but have already paid for the item, the business has seven days to refund your money. If you used a credit card, you must be credited within one billing cycle. The FCRBA applies to both online and telephone catalog orders.

As you scan a catalog, be sure to read the fine print of the product picture. Many items are enlarged and not pictured at their actual size. Look for actual dimensions and inquire if they are not provided.

Be wary of outlandish promises, especially when used in conjunction with health-related items. These types of products are notorious for not delivering as advertised and may actually be a health risk. This applies to many quick weight-loss or bodybuilding supplements. As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true.

Don’t fall for price comparisons between "list price" and "suggested retail price." Very few items are sold at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. However, sellers will often use these terms in promotional ploys to make the catalog price seem like a bargain. To verify savings, compare a product’s price in the catalog to its price in local shops. You might be surprised.

Sometimes a business will ship an item that you did not order in hopes that you will pay for it. According to federal law, you may consider unordered merchandise a gift. In addition, you are not required to notify the seller that you did not order the merchandise and do not intend to pay for it. It is a good idea to do so in writing, however, to prevent the merchant from billing you in the future.

If you have been ripped off by a catalog company, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General at www.oag.state.tx.us. Or call (800) 621-0508. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling (800)382-4357.Information on this and other topics is available on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us.

When shopping online:

• Use a secure server

• Be sure to look for https://

• Never e-mail financial information

When shopping by catalog:

• read the fine print closely and check actual dimensions

• don’t be fooled by "suggested retail price" versus "list price"

• Beware of health -related products that promise miracles

You are protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Billing Act, regardless of whether you shop by phone or on line.

Verify address and telephone number - Contact the Secretary of State’s Office for registration information for a business operating in Texas at www.sos.state.tx.us or call (800) 648-9642.

To file a complaint, contact the Office of the Attorney General at www.oag.state.tx.us or call (800) 621-0508.

You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or by calling (800) 382-4357.

Advance planning tools:

Medical Power of Attorney -- used to designate a person who can make decisions for someone who is incapacitated

Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates -- can prohibit or authorize the use of life-prolonging treatments when a person’s condition is terminal or irreversible (also known as Living Will)

Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) -- instructs emergency medical personnel and other health care professionals to forego resuscitation measures

Advance planning tools that should be handled by an attorney with expertise in advance planning:

Living Trust -- An arrangement for managing and distributing your assets

Durable Power of Attorney -- Gives another person power to make decisions about you, your property and your financial affairs

Living trusts and some annuities are NOT advisable for most seniors.

For more information on advance planning, visit the Senior Texans page of the Attorney General’s Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us

Criteria for a parent to be named a Most Wanted Child Support Evader:

• Court-ordered delinquent support must be in excess of $5,000

• Arrest warrant must have been issued for non-support

• Location of non-custodial parent is unknown

• Parent has not made any payments in the last six months

• Non-custodial parent must not be involved in bankruptcy proceedings

• Non-custodial parent must not be receiving welfare benefits

Because we must make Child Support information public, the custodial parent must sign a confidentiality waiver.

1-866-EVADERS (382-3377)

www.oag.state.tx.us

File a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission, which has oversight of telemarketers and telephone companies, at www.puc.state.tx.us or call (888) 782-8477.

No legitimate lottery calls to tell you that you have won.

No legitimate lottery collects fees and taxes on prizes.

TEXANS LIKE YOU HAVE LOST MILLIONS TO FOREIGN LOTTERY SCAMS.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas supervises the No Call List. Sign up at www.texasnocall.com or call (866) 896-6225.

Add your name to the national No-Call list by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236) from the number you wish to register.

You can request that your phone number be removed from many national marketing lists by contacting:

The Texas Constitution is a long and detailed document. Voters are frequently called upon to make changes in the Texas Constitution and have approved around 400 changes since its original adoption in 1876. Proposed amendments go to the voters if they are first approved by two-thirds of the members of both the Texas House and the Texas Senate. The governor cannot approve or veto a constitutional amendment. That right is left to the voters of the state.

There will be 22 proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot this year for Texas voters to consider. This year the election will be held Saturday, September 13. It will be important for voters to remember to vote in the election and to be aware of the issues being presented.

There are some important dates to remember regarding the September 13 election date. If you are not registered to vote and wish to register in time to vote in the election, August 14 is the last day to register. You can obtain a voter registration application by contacting your local Voter Registrar’s office. In Fannin County, the phone number for the Voter Registrar is (903) 583-7488. In Grayson County, the number is (903) 893-8683. You can also obtain an application online at www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqvr.shtml.

The first date to apply for a ballot by mail for this election is July 15; the last day is September 5. Early voting begins August 27 and runs through September 9. August 27 is Lyndon Baines Johnson Day and polls are not required to be open. Before voting on that day, check to make sure your poll will be open.

Over the next several weeks I will discuss the amendments being proposed in the order that they appear on the ballot. You can view a complete list of the proposed constitutional amendments with analyses online at www.tlc.state.tx.us/research/pubs.htm.

I encourage you to contact me if I may be of assistance with any issues dealing with state government. You can reach me by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by e-mailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us.

For the third straight year, drug seizures by DPS troopers on traffic patrol topped the $100 million mark.

According to 2002 statistics released Mon., July 7, by the Traffic Law Enforcement Division, DPS troopers intercepted illegal drugs valued at $123.8 million while on normal patrol duty. Texas troopers have led the nation in highway drug seizures for the last several years.

"Seizing drugs intended for someone’s neighborhood is just one positive byproduct of our normal patrol activities," said DPS Director Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr. "In addition to arresting drunk drivers and slowing down speeders, our traffic patrols

put drug smugglers, murderers and other criminals behind bars-a big step forward in making Texas a safer place."

Some of the highlights in 2002:

* Heroin seizures of 86 pounds were a record for DPS troopers.

* The 1,780 drug arrests were the second highest in DPS history.

* Cocaine seizures topped one ton (2,202 pounds) worth an estimated $90.1 million.

* Troopers also confiscated more than 25 tons (50,908 pounds) of marijuana.

All totaled, this year’s drug seizures rank fourth in DPS history.

In addition, DPS troopers arrested more than 17,000 people for a variety of criminal violations, ranging from homicide to auto theft. (Numbers exclude drug and alcohol-related arrests.)

TWC Approves $5,467,832 Allocation for Workforce Texoma

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced on July 3 its approval of a $5,467,832 to fund workforce services provided through Workforce Texoma for Fiscal Year 2004- Workforce Texoma is the local workforce development board serving Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties.

Workforce Texoma is one of 28 local workforce development boards throughout the state that, in partnership with TWC, delivers Texas Workforce Solutions through the state’s 279 Texas Workforce Centers. The primary goal of Texas Workforce Solutions is to guarantee that a skilled and qualified workforce is in place to meet the needs of Texas’ employers through locally controlled, employer-driven workforce development initiatives and programs. All employers, as well as workers and job seekers, are eligible to take advantage of these services, which are primarily federally funded and generally provided at no charge to the customer. TWC allocates the funding for Texas Workforce Solutions, but the specific manner in which the funds are utilized is largely left to the discretion of the local boards.

The money allocated to Workforce Texoma will be used to fund a variety of solutions, including:

Employment Services - Local workforce boards provide employment services that help employers find qualified workers for their openings by screening applicant lists, scheduling interviews and arranging space for the interviews, if necessary.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - WIA provides employment and training services to match employers’ needs. WIA also offers services for people who have lost their jobs in mass layoffs or plant closings, or who have been laid off and are unlikely to return to their jobs.

Child Care -. Local boards help build a stronger workforce through the design and management of quality, affordable child care services for low-income families. The availability of child care enables parents to obtain and retain employment, while also providing employers with productive workers.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Choices - These employment services help welfare recipients transition from welfare to work and expand employers’ available workforce options by providing job-­search and job-readiness classes, basic skills training, vocational training and support services, including transportation to promote self-sufficiency.

Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSE&T) - These training services increase the number of workers available to employers and help food stamp recipients become self-supporting through participation in employment, job readiness, education and training activities, and related support services, including transportation.

The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the programs it offers in unison with its network of local workforce development boards, call (512) 463-8556 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTIONS

COST COUNTY TAXPAYERS MILLIONS

By Sam Seale

On Saturday, September 13, Texas voters have the opportunity to approve or disapprove 22 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution on a wide range of issues. Let’s just hope the voters go to the polls – because $9 million of their local tax dollars will be utterly wasted if they don’t.

Special elections on amendments are unfunded mandates from the state to counties. In conducting the special Constitutional amendment elections, the counties carry out responsibilities dictated by the state legislature, but the costs are shouldered by the local governments. Hence, the property taxpayers in each county are paying the tab.

Texas counties spent a total of $9 million to conduct the last two special elections on amendments to the state’s Constitution in November 1999 and November 2001. This is according to reports the counties filed with the Texas Secretary of State’s Elections Division, with the most populous counties in the large urban areas spending over $1 million each, and the smaller rural counties spending anywhere from slightly under $1,000 to several thousand dollars. Varying costs for the counties include their registered voter population, number of polling places and ballots needed and the type of voting machine (whether paper or electronic).

Unfortunately, voter turnout for such special elections is historically poor, according to Secretary of State records. In fact, turnout is downright shameful. In November 2001, the most recent amendment election, statewide turnout was 834,846 – a scant 6.9 percent of the 12 million registered voters. And that low turnout is not an anomaly for Constitutional amendment elections. In the past 20 years, turnout never reached higher than about 30 percent and most often was less than 10 percent.

The costs of conducting the special elections don’t decrease when so few vote. Officials still have to print ballots, hire the judges and clerks and run the polling locations – although the costs can be reduced somewhat in special elections by consolidating polling places and having fewer of them. But to have so few vote diminishes a most fundamental right of free Americans, the right to directly participate in government decision-making.

This year, the legislature decided the election on the 22 amendments will be held on a special date in September – not a month that voters normally think of as a time to vote. There is a chance turnout could even be lower than previous years.

Changing this year’s election date also will negatively impact numerous county budgets because of the legislature’s decision to hold the special election in September instead of November as historically done.

The majority of counties in Texas operate on a budget year starting in October. Those counties got a surprise when the legislature decided to change the election date after counties were already operating on budgets set the year before. Hence, many counties will struggle to find election funds in already tight and established budgets.

While the Texas Association of Counties is not in a position to advise voters how to cast their ballots on the individual amendments, as an organization representing the counties that foot the bill, we are in a position to urge you to go to the polls and cast your vote however you choose. Information on the amendments is readily available on-line at the Secretary of State’s Web site – www.sos.state.tx.us -- and through such non-partisan organizations as the League of Women Voters – www.lwvtexas.org -- who will soon publish a voters’ guide explaining the amendments.

Read up on the amendments. Early voting begins August 28, and Election Day is September 13.

Please. It’s your local money being used to hold the election. Get your money’s worth. Vote.

Monthly Fact Sheet

Bonham Fire Department June 2003

The following are the highlights of services provided by the Bonham Fire Department for the month of June 2003.

• The Department answered a total of 384 calls in the 30-day reporting period. This is 12.80 calls per day. We responded to 342 requests for Emergency Medical Services and 42 Fire & Rescue calls.

• The Department conducted 32 Pre-Fire Plan/Business Inspections during the month. We referred 20 of these to the Fire Marshal’s Office for follow-up corrective measures.

• We completed testing 30 fire hydrants in the City and 15 were referred to the water utilities department for repairs or specialized maintenance.

• The Department conducted 4 Fire Prevention /

Public Life Safety Education Programs and/or Tours of the Fire Station during June.

• There were 13 internal training sessions conducted during the month resulting in 763 man-hours of training for our paid personnel and 184 Volunteer training man-hours.

• We hosted a three-night, 14 hour training class on Managing Company Tactical Operations - Preparation, presented by Training Specialist Ken King of the Texas A&M University System, Texas Engineering Extension Service Emergency Services Training Institute. We had students from the Dodd City VFD, Telephone VFD, North Fannin County VFD, Bailey VFD, Grayson County, and both paid and volunteer members of our department attend. This Course is certified by the National Fire Academy. Classes were held at the Bonham Fire Department Administration Building, conference and training room.

• The Department also hosted a one night training class on court room and deposition preparation for first responders, presented by Laurine J. Blake, First Assistant County and District Attorney for Grayson County and our own Michael Skotnik, ADA for Fannin County. Many departments from the County were represented for this informative class.

• "Fire" response time reporting results are. We averaged 6.50 minutes response time overall and 3.55 minutes inside the City of Bonham.

• We presented Fire and Life Safety programs at the Summer Camp Program on two nights, at Camp Wohaleto. We had the Fire and Life Safety Clowns and an Ambulance for the Program. We entertained 106 Kids and 26 adults with important safety information.

• Members of the Department traveled to Galveston to attend the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association, Statewide Memorial Service for their fallen brother, Bonham Firefighter/EMT-I James Edward Taylor on June 8th. FF Taylor’s widow, Sister and Aunt were escorted by members of our department. The ceremony honored the 7 Texas Firefighters lost in the Line of Duty in the past year.

• The Department participated in the American Cancer Society, Cancer walk June 6 & 7 at the Veterans Center. Firefighter/Paramedic David Hale led the department team this year and was in charge of the luminary sales for the event. Lieutenant Alan Reaves and his wife Amy were the Co-Chairpersons of the event. Chief Mike Baker served on the logistics committee with City Commissioner Glen Taylor and Assistant Warden Al Castillo of the Choice Moore Unit. Thanks to all of the department members who participated and assisted in this worthy cause.

• The Office of United States Congressman Ralph Hall has sent notification to our Mayor Carl McEachern that the Bonham Fire Department has been approved for a grant and low-interest federal loan for a new ambulance to serve our citizens. Details will be announced soon.

Please contact the Fire Chief @ 903.583.3731 if you have any questions or comments.

Marriage Licenses for May and June 2003

William Grady McKnight & Donna L. Jordan

Bobby Dean Pless & Judy Kay Kreitel

David Wayne Wright & Nancy DeLene Austin

Gerardo Carpio Grijalca & Christy Lea Cochran

Timothy Wayne Anderson & Jessica Anne Williamson

Luke Jerome Gossett & Alecia Faye Thomas

Floyd Jeffrey Sweet & Stephanie Nicole Burton

James Andrew Woods & Tammy Nichols Williams

James Edmond Lund & June Cynthia Craze

Mikel Allen Kendrick & Judy Kay Malone

Hugh William McCain & Mary Ella Lackey

Roger Lee Barkin & Rhonda Lavon Albert

Alva Leon Levins Jr. & Karen Sue Hampton

Raymond David Estell & Christina Emaline Green

Rorie Lex Wetz & Stephanie Sue Crowder

Joseph David Ochoa & Kimberly Kay Johnson

Bobby Dell Lappin & Patricia Darlene Wilbanks

Dennis Gene Hicks & Ruth Ellen Gaither

Curtis Alan Newman & Stephanie Dawna Zackery

Jimmy Dean Cox & Kristi Jo Shaffer

Kyle Leon Moore & Meagan Elizabeth Hall

Jose Manull Vicencio & Adriana Trejo

Justin Ray Clark & Jennifer Nicole Campbell

Dustin Wynn Chapman & Ann Marie Lenuis

John William Stephens & Karen Jean Trower

Christopher Ross McQuay & Michelle Lynn Wilson

Kevin Wayne Partridge & Leslie Jo Reynolds

Leonel Estrada & Larina Faye Furgason

Jackie Ray Fleck & Kimberly Michelle Meade

Cody Wayne Towery & Lindsey May Thurnall

Paul Michael Chesson & Charlene Linnet Gutierrz

John Partick Horton & Carrie Dawn Lawson

Jordan Alexander Cozart & Maria DeLaLuz Rodriguez

Walter Ray Echols Jr. & Barbra Christina Bryson

Grady Glen White & Robbie Haley Pruett

Michael Keith Wiggins & Andrea Kaye Huxtable

Lee Max Shiflet & Christian Bobi Odom

Richard Shane Hewett & Crystal Gayle Caldwell

Anthony Boyce Eskue & Tamara Dawn Redden

Jason William McLemore & Nancy Maria Cockrill

Michael David Strange & Erin Elizabeth Renfro

James Cody Phillips & Christy Lynn Hintergardt

Michael Dennis Prose & Vicki Lynn Burk

John Kevin Moore & Brittany Jane Wright

Shane Alden Collins & Laine Ann Trout

Rusel Lewis Duke & Belinda Lauelle Hilliard

Glen Alfred Lawrence & Katie Inez Lawrence

In Texas, summertime can be like a bad party guest. It arrives too early and stays too late. If your employees work outside, help protect them from the potential ill effects of this seasonal "guest" by teaching them how to prevent, recognize, and provide first aid for the most common heat disorders.

When the human body gets too hot, it sweats. As sweat evaporates, it cools the body.

Unfortunately for Texas workers, our summers often combine humidity with heat. High humidity causes sweat to evaporate more slowly because the air is already saturated with water vapor. This makes it harder for the body to cool itself, which may lead to heat rash, cramps, exhaustion, or heatstroke.

Heat rash is a minor, but annoyingly uncomfortable problem that occurs when sweat gland ducts become clogged. This results in an uncomfortable rash that may look like a cluster of pimples or small blisters. Heat rash usually occurs on parts of the body where skin touches skin, such as the neck, armpits, elbow creases, groin, and behind the knees.

Sweat-soaked clothes and continuous exposure to hot, humid air are the most common causes of heat rash. To help prevent heat rash, remind your employees to allow their skin to dry thoroughly between exposures to heat; keep their skin clean, cool and dry; and wear comfortable clothes that do not trap sweat.

The best treatment for heat rash is to get out of the sun and into a cooler place, and keep the affected skin area dry. Use dusting powder to increase comfort. Do not use ointments or creams because they usually keep the skin warm and moist, which may actually make the condition worse.

Dehydration causes heat cramps. When the human body sweats heavily and does not receive enough liquids to replenish what it has lost through perspiration, it may "borrow" blood from the larger muscle groups, such as the stomach and quadriceps, to ensure its vital organs have enough blood to function. This causes cramping in the larger muscle groups.

Early signs of heat cramps are muscle spasms and pain in the hands, feet or abdomen. To treat heat cramps, move the affected employee to a cool place. Provide sips of water or an electrolytic drink (commercially available beverages that help the body replace water and minerals lost through sweating). Do not give salt tablets to a person suffering heat cramps. Salt tablets can irritate the stomach and lead to vomiting, which causes further water loss.

Heat exhaustion, also caused by dehydration, is a mild form of shock. Symptoms may include weak pulse, shallow breathing, dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, and clammy skin. Heat exhaustion can become serious. If you have any doubt about the severity of a specific case on the job site, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance to take the employee to the emergency room for treatment.

Mild cases of heat exhaustion are more common. To treat a mild case, move the affected employee to a cool place, and provide sips of water or an electrolytic drink. Again, do not give the victim salt tablets. It is important to cool down the victim, but do not allow him or her to become chilled.

This condition commonly affects employees not acclimatized to the heat. To prevent heat exhaustion, allow employees to acclimatize gradually to a hot work area. Make sure they drink plenty of water and eat lightly salted food to make up for salt lost while sweating.

The most severe and dangerous heat disorder is heatstroke. It causes the body to overheat and lose its ability to control its core temperature, and it can be fatal. Symptoms include a body temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, nausea, dizziness, and a rapid pulse. Early symptoms may also include irrational behavior, poor judgment, and general confusion.

At the first sign of heatstroke, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance to take the employee to the emergency room or nearest medical facility immediately. On the way, remove as much clothing as possible, and wrap the victim in a sheet soaked with water. Fan the victim vigorously to help reduce body temperature, and apply cold packs under the arms or around the neck.

Anyone who overexerts in hot, humid conditions may suffer a heatstroke, regardless of physical conditioning. On July 31, 2001, Korey Stringer, a 27-year-old NFL Pro Bowl offensive tackle, died of heatstroke after morning workout drills in the Minnesota Vikings training camp. The outside temperature was only in the low 90s, but the humidity was high, and Stringer seemed determined to prove himself.

Instead, he died of heatstroke 15 hours later.

Workers can avoid all of these heat disorders by not overdoing it. Be sure your employees drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and slow down and cool off when they experience fatigue, a headache, a high pulse rate, or shallow breathing.

Make a Safer Worker To Make Your

Any workplace can have safety hazards. Cluttered walkways, poor lighting, and faulty office equipment can cause workplace accidents. Around 88 percent of on-the-job injuries, however, result from unsafe acts, not unsafe conditions.

That’s why many safety experts recommend that employers adopt behavior-based safety programs. Behavior-based safety focuses on changing the behaviors that lead to workplace accidents.

Unlike traditional safety programs, which start with management and trickle down to employees, behavior-based safety programs are all-inclusive. Employees participate in developing, implementing and reviewing the program.

"Traditional safety programs tend to get stuck at the front-line management level," said Bob Drew, Texas Mutual_SMloss prevention consultant. "For a lot of businesses, the employees know the real hazards better than the managers. Unfortunately, management doesn’t always include them in developing their safety program."

In a behavior-based safety program, employees work proactively to help eliminate potential hazards, instead of simply reacting to accidents after the fact. When management recognizes employee input and feedback as valuable resources, the company can see remarkable improvements in its safety record.

When injuries do occur, your first priority as an employer is the injured employee’s well-being and immediate care. Afterward, you also have to consider how the injured employee’s absence will affect your bottom line.

Direct costs of an on-the-job injury, such as medical expenses and benefits paid to the injured employee, are usually easy to calculate. Unfortunately, direct costs don’t show the whole picture. Indirect costs, such as lost productivity, hiring temporary staff, and training other employees to cover for the injured employee, can be up to ten times higher than direct costs. A claim with direct costs of $10,000 actually might cost as much as $100,000 in indirect costs.

In January 2001, the Research and Oversight Council on Workers’ Compensation (ROC) released a study recommending ways to improve safety and return-to-work programs in the Texas workers’ compensation system. The study, conducted jointly by the ROC and Research and Planning, L.P., showed that in some cases, accident rates decreased by more than one-third as a result of behavior-based safety practices.

Establishing a behavior-based safety process that gets similar results may seem like a daunting task. Any company can make the switch, however, by breaking the process down into its component steps.

1. Form a design team. Include hourly workers, supervisors, managers and safety personnel. The team will establish training protocol, collect data, set goals, and identify roles and responsibilities.

2. Identify critical behaviors. Analyze accident trends, and determine which job tasks and areas of your facility carry the greatest risk for accidents. Break down job tasks into their critical parts.

3. Develop a behavior observation checklist. Include five to ten of the critical behaviors you identified in step two. Have a few employees use the checklist simultaneously to observe a co-worker performing a task. All observers should get similar results.

4. Develop observation and feedback procedures. This is the most critical component of behavior-based safety. Provide positive feedback, such as certificates or time off, for safe behaviors. Provide constructive, non-threatening feedback for unsafe behaviors.

5. Set baseline measurements and improvement goals. Base the goals on employees’ perceptions of how they can improve their behaviors. Then, develop action plans to support their efforts and gauge their progress.

6. Develop procedures for providing positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement can include immediate verbal feedback; graphical feedback placed in strategic locations; and weekly/monthly briefings, during which you provide detailed feedback about specific behaviors.

7. Measure success. One way to measure your success is by gauging your progress toward the goals you set in step five. You can also analyze your incident rate regularly to see if a decrease in unsafe behaviors correlates with a decrease in accidents.

Launching a behavior-based safety program will take time and commitment. After all, your employees may have been practicing unsafe behaviors for a long time, and those habits can be hard to break.

Once your employees get enthused about the safety program and take ownership of it, behavior-based safety can take root. Eventually, your employees won’t have to think about working safely; they’ll do it instinctively.

Edward Jones Managing Partner Elected Vice Chairman

of U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Local Students Cap Off Successful Year

With Annual Spring Show

Local area students of The Dance Studio of Paris rounded off a busy year with their annual Spring Show. This year’s show, which focused on the spirit of the American people, was a resounding success and a fitting finale for a successful year of performances and activities.

Students began the Fall 2002 performance season in October with student and teacher performances at the Fannin County Fair pageants, a Mardi Gras themed float entered into the FCF Parade, which took a 1^st place award, and student entries as contestants in the fair pageants.

A special congratulations to Studio students Alexis Anderson and Lauren Reeves. Alexis placed 2^nd runner-up in the Fannin County Little Miss Pageant and Lauren placed 1^st runner-up in the Fannin County Princess Pageant.

A double congratulations to student Holli Tedder, who in November, participated in Dedicated Students of America. One of the many activities that Holli was involved in was, a talent contest. We are very proud to announce that Holly placed 2^nd out of over 200 contestants with her performance of a jazz/hip hop/gymnastic dance routine choreographed by studio directors. Congratulations Holli! We knew you could do it! Holli also made the Junior High Cheerleading Squad this spring.

With the onset of the holiday season, students took their performances on the road again with presentations of their routines from the Studio’s 2002 Christmas Show, Rockin’ Yuletide, at area nursing homes, and the Paris area YWCA’s annual Tinsel and Tiding Festival. Students also performed, in conjunction with the City of Paris Christmas Festival, Winter in Fair Park, with a student sneak preview performance on the Bywaters Park stage just prior to the Paris Junior College’s famous show choir’s annual Encore! In the Park performance. Horrible stage, wonderful audience!

The season was finished off with a float entry portraying ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and another 1^st place win, in the annual Bonham Christmas Parade and the Studio’s annual Christmas Show. This year’s show was performed to mostly traditional Christmas songs performed by today’s rock and roll artists.

With the coming of spring, the Studio’s competition teams geared up for the competition season. This year, the teams traveled to Dallas to compete at the ShowStopper American Dance Championship’s 2003 regional competition. Of the ten routines competed, all ten earned 1^st Place Gold trophies. Miss Renee’s solo routine won the Top Teacher’s Solo trophy for the 2^nd year in a row. Of the eight routines eligible, six placed in overall categories of the top ten scores in their age groups. This is a major accomplishment and something that we are very proud of. Not only did these girls earn high scores, medals, and trophies, they earned themselves a trip to Nationals. The Studio is proud to announce that this year’s teams will be traveling to the San Antonio Mid-America National Finals for ShowStopper American Dance Championships Competition July 16^th – July 20^th. While in attendance, Master Classes, taught by industry professionals, will be offered to all students. This years team members are:

Team Expressionettes: Candace Rich, Alexis Lappin, Alexis Anderson, Peyton Story, Lindsey Hughes, Robin Mallory, Gabi Risinger

Team Expressions, Too!: Kali Wheless, Kelsie Tedder, Lauren Reeves, Jordan Feagley, Randi Nichols

Team Expressions: Keli Kirkpatrick, Kelli Pettie, Mignon Hodge, Jenilyn Fowzer, Jennifer Jackson

Please help us to congratulate these girls and to wish them ‘break a leg’ for luck at Nationals.

In April and May, Studio students took their Spring Show routines on the road, performing at several area nursing and retirement homes, and the Paris area YWCA’s annual Art Fair. They then brought it all home for the Studio’s 2003 Spring Show, ‘Energy 2(squared)…..the American Machine’. The Studio would like to congratulate and thank all of it’s dancers and dance parents for all of their effort, dedication, and cooperation throughout the year. We would also like to recognize and congratulate the Studio’s teachers and assistant teachers for all of their hard work and dedication. The beauty of your students’ performances is a testament to your skills as a teacher. Thank you. A special thank you to Bryan and Tammy Wheless for their generous donation of individual trophies presented to the competition team members at the Spring Show. This presentation allowed each team member to take home a full size trophy for each group routine they competed in, instead of just the usual medal given to each dancer at the competition, with the group trophy going to the Studio. You guys brightened a lot of little girls hearts that day with your generous gift. Thank you.

An extra special thank you to Christine Story and family for the really cool Spring Show soundtrack. The soundtrack heightened the theme and emotion of the show for both students and the audience. Many thanks!

Finally, a very special thank you to all Studio dancers and parents who helped to put together this year’s parade float entries. We couldn’t have done it without you. This is most especially true with the Christmas float. Thank you to all the parents for the wonderful hairdos that our little Who’s wore. That, we think, is what helped to push the float over the top to a win! Thank you!

Thank you to everyone, for a great year. See you in the fall!

CIGNA LEADS HEALTH PLAN HASSLE LIST

Texas Physicians Turn to TMA for Payment Help

Cigna HealthCare earned the dubious title of worst health plan of the year, according to the Texas Medical Association’s 2002 Hassle Factor Log (HFL) released July 9th. Cigna caused the most grief to patients and physicians because of the way it handled, or sometimes didn’t handle, claims for medical services as reported by physicians.

"Cigna was undoubtedly the most difficult insurer to deal with when we compare them on an equal footing with their competitors in Texas," said Lewis Foxhall, MD, chair of TMA’s Council on Socioeconomics. "Slow pay/no pay tactics like those reported to our HFL program are prime examples of why TMA pushed so hard for the prompt pay legislation Gov. Rick Perry signed into law last month."

TMA uses HFL information for a variety of purposes. The data identifies reimbursement issues that TMA shares in ongoing meetings with health plan representatives. It also is an effective tool when the association meets with legislators and state agency officials to improve laws and rules that pertain to the business relationships between health plans and physicians. The ultimate goal is better and more hassle-free access to care for patients.

"We will look very closely at our HFL as final rules for the new prompt pay law go into effect to determine how well they work," Dr. Foxhall said. "This data will be one of our key measures to tell us whether the rules need to be tweaked or whether we need to return to the legislature for additional relief."

The data also hone TMA’s litigation, most recently in the settlement with

Aetna of a federal class action, anti-racketeering lawsuit.

* In the 2002 HFL, Cigna scored almost 7.2 complaints per 10,000 patient enrollees. That’s an upward surge from last year’s 10 per 10,000;

* United Healthcare earned the next closest score with almost seven complaints per 10,000 enrollees, the same score as last year;

* Last year, Unicare led the herd in number of complaints with more than 17 per 10,000 enrollees, but Unicare improved to fewer than seven per 10,000 enrollees in the 2002 measurement;

* Humana held even at just under five per 10,000 both years; and

* BlueCross BlueShield of Texas had the fewest complaints per 10,000 patient enrollees-four, a significant improvement over the 11 it scored last year.

A new category was introduced this year, to measure the number of complaints per 10,000 participating physicians. Topping the new list:

* United Healthcare set the record with more than 683 complaints per 10,000 participating physicians; and

* Cigna came in second with almost 414 complaints per 10,000 participating physicians.

"Texas doctors don’t need to look at the HFL data to know whether they want

to continue contracting with a specific health plan, but if they’re looking at a new plan, this information can be critical in their decision process," Dr. Foxhall said. The other major health plans and their complaints per 10,000 physicians are:

* BlueCross BlueShield of Texas: 382 complaints per 10,000 participating physicians;

* Aetna/US Healthcare: almost 263 complaints per 10,000 participating physicians;

* Humana: slightly more than 99 complaints per 10,000 participating physicians; and

* Unicare: more than 72 complaints per 10,000 participating physicians.

One insurer, PacifiCare, did not provide information to TMA on the number of physicians who contract with it.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 38,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective is to improve the health of all Texans.

Bonham Snap Center

Chicken Fried Steak/Gravy, Whipped Potatoes, Green Beans, Bread, Pudding, Milk

BBQ Wieners, Corn, Calico Coleslaw, Bread, Pineapple Cobbler, Milk

IHS Sporting Independence

IHS of Bonham had a very active Independence Day celebration on July 3, 2003. The participating residents enjoyed playing ring toss, in which they attempted to throw a ring over a soda bottle. The prize for mastering this skill was the soda of their choice. The next game was throwing water balloons over the low patio wall, in which the residents didn’t seem very excited about. To encourage the throwing contest, employee Jennifer Walker stepped up and said, "How about throwing them at me?" Suddenly the enthusiasm picked up and everyone was throwing water balloons. It was great fun. They also competed to see how long they could blow bubbles with a single breath, however the residents weren’t to keen on the rules and soon the bubbles were flying everywhere. There were a few other games played but the heat outlasted the residents and they went into the cool air conditioning where they were served the hot dogs and apple pie that Eddie Davis and Ann Deets prepared. Volunteers and several staff including Doris Matlock, Activity Director and Alice Wallace, Medical Records assisted in all the fun the residents had. After the food and Bingo, a drawing was held for the 1995 Classis Super Sport Chevrolet Model Car, won by Maney Holt. Sporting Independence was the theme for the party and everyone is looking forward to the next party. Who knows what Doris has planned next?

Fannin County Employees Honored By TxDQT For Safety Record

PARIS, TX- Employees of the Texas Department of Transportation’s Fannin County Maintenance Office received awards recognizing them for the operation of vehicles and equipment without being involved in an accident. Employees who drive regularly and frequently at least 11 months of the year are eligible for this award, Employees received awards recognizing from 1 to 20 years of service without an accident. Those employees receiving awards in the Fannin County Maintenance Office were:

• Jason L. Chennault --- 6 years • Lee R. Cirkles ----- 4 years • Danny R. Cole ----- 3 years • Charles W. Crossland ----- I8 years • William F. Englutt ----- 13 years • Christopher B. Gilbreath ----- 1 year • Kent D, Hall ----- 6 years • Jimmy D, Hewitt ----- 19 years • Erbin J. McDowell ----- 19 years • Jack Mulder ----- 6 years • Joe A. Nichols ----- 12 years • John D. Nichols ----- 3 years • Donald W. Nolen ----- 20 years • Billy C. Pannell ---- 7 years • Teddy G. Ryan ----- 5 years • Kelly W. Titsworth ----- 4 years

Together, these employees drove thousands of miles without being involved in an accident while working to maintain the transportation system and providing assistance to citizens and visitors of Texas.

Sign Vandalism Costs State Millions

AUSTIN - Vandalism of highway traffic signs costs Texas taxpayers $2.5 million annually, according to officials with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Officials say, however, the cost is more than a dollar amount.

"We are always concerned with vandalism of our state roadway signs. Not just because of the monetary costs, but more because of the safety hazard it can create for the traveling public," said Carlos Lopez, TxDOT’s director of traffic operations.

According to state law, tampering with a warning device, such as a highway construction sign, carries a penalty of not less than $25 or more than $1,000, or up to a two-year jail sentence, or both the fine and jail time. However, much stiffer penalties have been handed down in cases where sign vandalism has resulted in serious injury or death.

The most commonly vandalized sign is the stop sign. Signs in remote locations and those near schools and recreation areas are the most frequently targeted. Repairs cost $75 to $100 excluding labor costs.

Stolen signs sometimes find their way to bedroom, apartment or dormitory walls. Such decorations, however, can make a deadly fashion statement, according to transportation officials.

"A sign on the wall is a sign missing from a roadway where it is essential to safety. Although sometimes viewed as a harmless prank, tampering or removing any roadway sign can have tragic and deadly results," said Lopez.

Each year, TxDOT replaces more than 50,000 stolen or vandalized signs in its inventory of 8 - 10 million signs.

By Larry Phillips

This week’s column will be the first in a series outlining the proposed constitutional amendments on which Texas voters will decide on September 13. The order that the amendments appear on the ballot has been randomly selected by the secretary of state. I will discuss the proposals in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.

Amendment 1: The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans’ Land Board to use assets in certain veterans’ land and veterans’ housing assistance funds to provide veterans homes for the aged or infirm and to make principal, interest, and bond enhancement payments on revenue bonds.

The proposed amendment would allow the Veterans’ Land Board to use excess receipts in the veterans’ land fund, the veterans’ housing assistance fund, and the veterans’ housing assistance fund II to pay the debt service on any revenue bonds issued by the board. Specifically, the board could use those receipts to pay principal and interest and make bond enhancement payments with respect to revenue bonds issued under a veterans homes program or other veterans programs administered by the board, and not solely in connection with its land and housing assistance programs for veterans.

The amendment would also allow the Veterans’ Land Board to use excess assets in the three funds to plan and design, operate, maintain, enlarge, or improve veterans homes. This new language would supplement the effect of an earlier constitutional amendment that granted the board similar authority with respect to veterans cemeteries.

Amendment 2: The constitutional amendment to establish a two-year period for the redemption of a mineral interest sold for unpaid ad valorem taxes at a tax sale.

This amendment increases the period in which the former owner of a mineral interest that is sold at a tax sale for unpaid ad valorem taxes may redeem the property from the person who purchased it. The redemption period is increased from six months to two years. To redeem the property, the former owner must pay to the person who purchased the property the amount the purchaser at the tax sale paid for the property, including the tax deed recording fee and all taxes, penalties, interest, and costs paid, plus an amount not exceeding 25 percent of the aggregate total in the first year of the redemption period or 50 percent of the aggregate total in the second year.

I encourage you to contact me if I may be of assistance with any issues dealing with state government. You can reach me by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by e-mailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us.

Kwik Chek Presents Life Center And

Creative Arts Center With A Check

Kevin Smartt is shown presenting a check for $1000.00 that will benefit both the Family Life Center and Creative Arts Center. For every filled card the foundation filled, they received 50 cents, which is how this check came about. Carol Ellis, Executive director for both the Life Center and the Art Center would like to thank the Kwik Chek stores in Bonham Leonard, Trenton, and Honey Grove who helped make this possible.

Fannin County Judge Derrell Hall was the guest speaker at the Bonham Rotary Club last week. Judge Hall informed the Rotarians of the changes that are presently being made at the courthouse and around the county and the changes that are planned in the future. All the changes are positive ones that will impact the future of Fannin County. The questionnaire that was printed in the Fannin County Special (June 24, 2003 issue) for an evaluation of the county’s performance needs to be sent in now. Judge Hall again urged everyone to fill out this survey and send it in to the courthouse.

The Bonham Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at the Family Life Center.