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Show 2 Vernal Express Wednesday, August 24, 1994 JACt&S Jack Wallta Fraud protection for seniors Three programs are being developed in Utah centered cen-tered at giving the elderly more protection against the highly sophisticated fraud schemes being perpetrated on this vulnerable group. With more than one-third of Utah's population in the 50 and over age bracket, a three-prong attack program pro-gram against fraud is essential for the welfare of the elderly. The Utah State Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs offices and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) have signed an agreement to work cooperatively to fight fraud and abuse for the elderly. Utah's Attorney General, Jan Graham, has also organized a program named the "Attorney General's Regional Exchange Program" (AGREE) which has for one of it's four major goals the elimination of fraud, particularly for the elderly. The third program, "Senior Protection Program," also with the Attorney General's office, concentrates on fraud against the elderly and is working to put our information to educate people to recognize fraud before they are made victims of it. The long range plans of the protection program include such things as a state wide Senior Conference and presentations in local areas of the state. To date 101 Senior Citizen Centers have been contacted for presentations. The three programs are leaning heavy on input from AARP. With 34 million members nation wide and 149,338 in Utah, the AARP has a vital interest in providing pro-viding information and volunteers for the well being of its members. The AARP in its Salt Lake office has highly trained people working constantly on such areas as consumer fraud, abuse of the elderly and other related problem areas. The office is well equipped to be the advocate for its members and all elderly to help in the fight for a better, more trouble free old age. Old age should be a time for relaxation, not a time of sophisticated fraud schemes to take away ones life savings. PUBLIC FORUM LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What is your opinion? The Express welcomes letters from its readers concerning any subject pertinent to the Uintah Basin. There are no restrictions as to contents, if not libelous or vindictive and of reasonable length (two typewritten double spaced pages). Letters must be submitted submit-ted exclusively to the Express and bear the writer's full name, signature, signa-ture, phone number and address. The name or names of those submitting submit-ting letters must appear on all published letters. All letters are subject to condensation. Letters express the opinion of the writer and are not necessarily the opinion of the Express Editor. Highway Patrol deaths Dear Editor, During the past 18 months, the Utah Highway Patrol has had three troopers troop-ers die in the line of duty. In December of 1992, Trooper Joey Brunnctt died after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate IS while handling a traffic accident. In June of 1993, Trooper Dee Lund was killed while trying to apprehend two youth who were fleeing from law enforcement officers. Then on July 30, 1994, SgL Doyle R. Thome was lulled in a helicopter crash while returning from a search and rescue mission. Each of these incidents has had a devastating impact on the troopers' families and upon our organization. However, in each instance numerous people in ihc community have done what they could to show that they care. As soon as word went out that SgL Thome's helicopter had gone down, people began volunteering to help in the search. Numerous public and private pri-vate groups became involved and people who didn't even know SgL Tliornc volunteered to help in the search because they appreciated what he h.J been doing that day. It was overwhelming to witness this outpouring of community concern and action. Peace officers often wonder if the public really care about them or what they are trying to accomplish because they receive so many complaint and vi much criticism. The way people responded after Sgt. Thome's helicopter went down clearly demonstrate that people do care ami will go out of their way to do all they can to help. On behalf of the Dovle R. Thome family and the men and women of the Utah Highway Paiml. we extend our heartfelt thank lo all of those that gave of their time, talents and resource in an effort lo lxtc and rescue t, Thome, With v) rruny bad thing happening all around us it i reassuring to lrw that there are still a tot of good thing being ke by a tot of good jmJ caring people, Knowing that people really tare make our crk a rvjKe officer meaningful COL RICHARD A, GRIENWOOD Superintendent. I'HP l,T, COt OMX GARY E. GCNRVD A"int Swprt intcft4ct, ttlf Naples apprehends man wanted in Colo. A f:5.4cv, rr.$ hfiV-4 a Vf.T . A-Vr- Mfl )rv4 n rwst4. tV4to Express Sl?f1 i l f- M V19 f W C-.- f H VT9 Vnr. fe ft'wwqj a mm TWW WFt t'tmt ltt turn nrtmv -mm r I I" - mi Ml, 1 1 1 ft PLi.4f teH!rtViM fxtt fp v4 i4 tetrt 14' p-f CWI S" t5''4 4 m H Of rT N- a M4.. tHI jtiv ft t Cs) )4 1;. iv(4 te3Mf 4 Noptos Park wanted for RV rallies V t?J (tt-ritit.c it (wr-rtf 4 i A ffi li w' n f 9'"t- t 41 fitrtttnt n4 t f tty C CV.. 4rt Ti h inf"'? w H 1 1 V 1 1 i e-rnrw-f c Education Dear Editor, Now that teachers and students have returned for the start of another school year, it is appropriate to take some time to reflect on many of the actions within the School District over the past number of months. In July the teachers passed a motion of no confidence in the School Board and the Superintendent. How does the public stand in terms of confidence con-fidence in these entities? I believe that the public made their position very clear and were in agreement with the teachers when they voted down the proposed leeway last spring. Contrary to what some members of the School Board stated, the public voted no on the leeway for a couple of reasons. One, they did not have confidence con-fidence that the money would be spent on the teachers and class size as stated, but would instead be used for administration. Two, they felt the District already had the money available. Both reasons turned out to be justified. During the past summer, two new positions have been added to the District office requiring additional money to be spent for administrators. Members of the School Board indicated during dur-ing the negotiation process that, yes, the money was there but there was no agreement to give it to the teachers. (This money was subsequently allocated allocat-ed so that it was no longer available during the negotiation process.) It is time for the public to demand change in our school administration. We need to re-establish trust and confidence in our elected officials as well as district administration. We need leaders who do not confuse leadership with power and authority. We need to demand an administration that is responsive to public desire and welcomes public input in the decision making mak-ing process, including the budget We need an administration that is open and honest in it communication w ith members of the public. We need an administration that is willing to honestly evaluate all employee of the district (classified, teachers and administrators), to provide pro-vide necessary assistance to those employees or make the hard choice to terminate in order to provide the best possible service to our students. To follow the current business climate of "dow n sizing," we need an administration adminis-tration that i creative in it problem solv ing abilities, seeking answers and involvement from those movt in the know; an administration thai is willing to empower and delegate rather than simply hiring more administrators. A we kk to the election thit fall, let's begin the process of forging a rew and pmitive partnership with all the interested parties in education administration, employee and community. W'e need it for our kid. WANS BROWN Jereft Uintah teachers Deaf t'ditof, Owf pwHw hJvwI trhm m going to male rt They have wholehearted ly snrfeJ the Vith Sb4 Board's offer, The la, fcriwJ 1icq of Cifttah County i number 19 of the nhool The ttitf .lic tf Lfifih &t4 tof ki i fiumbef 10 from the hot The $h4 IV4 h fWi'y rhil the quality ieHm in wf t4v Tf thm b l" ha Mw4fftt t4 pafttif cipoct of thrttt Trie ttf4 f! an pvfthrlmirg ch of cftp4 teathm aftd aft. tfjm i4 fMl the b4 tr rtjfh to hfif, the tfachm tiny hwMe M to the te Msjf frt4f to VeJ m faie thtit 4t biwe Hae quality schools and have many other enticements: 1. Work opportunities, (low unemployment) 2. Scenic beauty and organized recreational activities that save taxes and involve all young and elderly in Uintah County. 3. Governmental entities with open door policies to ensure that the silent majority has had an opportunity to voice their concerns before decisions are made. HYRUM C. TOONE Vernal Concerned senior citizen Dear Editor, I'm a real concerned person on what is happening in our town. In fact, all around. Nothing or no one is safe any more. Not even in our homes or any place. There are a lot of senior citizens, as well as other people that are along. It is getting so that no one is safe. Do we all have to keep our doors and windows locked so that we are not attacked in our homes? What are we to do to protect ourselves from this happening? With this hot weather we have to open our doors to get what fresh air we can get. I know the law has their hands full of things like this. But I believe it's time that everyone gets together and form some kind of a community to try and keep this kind of thing from happening. It is getting so that we cannot trust anyone any more. If we have workers around our place or someone comes calling, are we not to let them in or what? How do we know who to trust anymore? This is not going on only in our town but all over. How do we older people protect ourselves? Not only us, but the others too? This world is going to the dogs real fast There will be more and mofe of things like this happening to all of us. I wish other people would respond to this going on around us. Give your opinion and ideas on how we the people can try to put a stop to such things that are going on in our town. It's not only my town but everyone else's also. Let's get things cleaned up so that this does not happen to someone else. A real concerned senior citizen. Name w ithheld by request Emergency service Dear Editor, The evening of July 23 our 15-year-old daughter suddenly became very ill and stopped breathing. An ambulance was called and she was taken to Ashley Valley Medical Center. Due to the prompt, loving, caring, expert action of well trained ambulance personnel. Dr. Norman Nicluvn, Dr. Karl Brcitenbach and Medical Center staff a very scriou life threatening situation situa-tion had a happy ending. We are very fortunate to have thi type of service, care and professional -ism in our community. RON and JEANNE TOLLO SON Vernal Building permit fees waived Vernal City Ha officially amended amend-ed it building permit fee schedule to wjmv payment of fee by Wat gmrttimcnt ctites. WhiW &e wganiaJinft base bprti eetnp1 from toal fet fof some time, City Count it rtwmhrr (thm to mike the waive offkit Ut Wftfortday, It a Jo cMeftd; cd to trtctude othef entities swett a Htiont, watef id Sfcvial efk district. 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