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Show Page Two - The Pyramid - February 16, 1994 A Peimys MTAmf Beware of scams "Congratulations! You have just won..." Does this sound familiar? It probably does because it is the most successful fraud pitch in the U.S. today. AARP sent out a press release warning the growing number of older adults who apparently are being targeted by fraudulent boiler rooms. According to them, "It is estimated that people over 50 lose $13 billion a year in telemarketing scams. What can one do to guard against these schemers and con artists? First, be aware of the types of tactics that they use. Telemarketers use a "sweepstakes mentality" or the idea that one can get something for nothing. One way to fend off the fraud is to learn to identify the pitches used. For example, Pitch One: "Youve won a valuable prize. To get the prize, just send $200 to us and we will forward it to you." Truth: The prize received, if received at all, will most likely be worth much less than the money expended. In Colorado, approximately 600 people bought a $579 alarm system after being promised a $20,000 prize. The prize never appeared, according to AARP, and the alarm system was worth much less than $579. Pitch Two: "This is the final day of our promotion. You must buy right now to get this special offer." Truth: Scam artists use pressure to urge purchasing on the spur of the moment. Reputable businesses will not pressure you into buying. Pitch Three: "You have been selected to receive a free trip to Mexico. Call now to reserve your spot. (A small handling fee is required.) Truth: The "handling fee" may be up to $400 and the free trip may have so many restrictions that the free time to schedule a "free trip" would be impossible. Pitch Four: "Im collecting donations for the Police Department Support Center." Truth: Many frauders use names similar to a reputable organization, but the majority of the money donated goes to the telemarketer. Check with the states charitable solicitation office or Better Business Bureau before donating. Many people are unaware they can cut down on the amount of these kinds of calls by requesting their names be taken off mailing lists. This can be done by writing the Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, Inc., P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY, 11735-901The area eight office of AARP also has forms to request this removal. Also, remember these tips when contacted by a telemarketer: Ask them to mail information about their company. If they wont, dont buy. Check the telephone directory or call directory assistance to find out if the company is listed, something con artists often dont bother to do. If you are a victim of fraud, report it. Call the National Fraud Information Center, Also contact your local or state Consumer Affairs Office andor your State Attorney Generals Office. 4. Letters House Bill 12 passes, will hurt competition Dear Editor: This past week I fought on the losing side against House Bill 12, ble proposed law that will force Maverick stores to stop undersell- ing the competition by pricing gasoline cheaper by not allowing credit sales. I personally feel this bill hurts competition and will make all the Maverick patrons pay more if it is passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives One of the bills I am sponsor- ing received unanimous approval in the House this past week, increases the liability of parents from $1,000 to $5,000 if their children are found guilty of property damage. The responsibility of the children to make restitution also had the limits removed unless a 58-1- 4. anpalo's Leading Newspaper Mpynomin IIQDQ oDO-OO- Ui Published Weekly at con Mt. Pleasant circum- - court finds mitigating stances. This should force parents to assume more direct responsibility for their children as they will fed it in their pocketbook. Our committee had the gun control bill debated before us this past week. Cities like Salt Lake are arguing that they should be able to have as strict a law as they want, I worry that if all the different cities and counties adopt their own gun control laws, there will be great confusion in enforce- ment. Since the "Brady Bill" will shortly come into effect national-HB1- 0 ly, I think I will vote against allowing varied gun control laws to pop up around the state. The "gun control" debate will resume this week, This past week we voted on two important resolutions. The first dealt with property rights secon(j wdb water rights. Both resolutions asked the federal government to respect the rights f states and their traditional water and property rights. The House of Representatives bill. This passed an will allow smoking only in pri- vate clubs, beer bars, private hotel rooms and private gather- ings. Smoking will be outlawed in all other indoor public places. The Senate will soon be taking bill up This week we will be setting budget for the DWR. Jxt The battle to get funding for DWR wiu be ed by the Gover- nors request for additional funds. I am convinced, however, we will need further supplemen- tary funding to save the Experi- ment Station in Ephraim ami to fond predation costs This week Ill be welcoming 180 students from Ephraim Mid- anti-smoki- R4A47 I Utah, 49 West Main Street 46z-zl- Telephone: FAX: 462-24- 34 59 Publisher Craig Conover Managing Editor Penny Hamilton Lynda Grover Associate Editor Shirley Christensen ... Office Manager SUBSCRIPT10N RATES .. . , (In Advance ) $18peryear-50per copy C $21 per year outside Sanpete Courty CORRESPONDENTS S35.3K4 MantLBnica Jennings Moroni, Barbara Cordon Fairview, Lory Beacham Ftn. Green, Jessie 445-34- Oldroyd Woles, Colleen Lamb 436-880- Snow College . ' POSTMASTER: 462-3- 1 31 Send change of address to Tke ont.UTond additional a 8 Dean 0 Driscoll Photographer, Hollee Anderson g be touring buiiding, observing the House and Senate as we debate. Senator Blackham and I will meet Wlth them to discuss the legislativ process j apprecjate y0ur phone calls and letters. They really do make a difference capi 427-33- offices. u . ..guM i n ReP'sStatehofUtah1,ler House of Representatives 'Worili By Penny Hamilton Spring City businesses need licenses Im not there yet Continued from page 1 problem or the city was going to find someone else. Dog licenses were due last month and only 1 1 dogs were brought to the recent clinic. A resolution was passed to do an assessment of drinking water quality and its relationship to the sewer system and to write a safety policy delineating the line of responsibility for emergency situations. The backflow prevention policy is still missing and will be discussed at the next meeting. The building inspector will be asked to check two occupied trailers that were moved into the city since passage of the zoning ordinance, as well as an electrical problem with a unit in the mobile home park. Owners of vehicles parked in such a way as to inhibit snow removal will be cited by Officer Gene Openshaw. He will also be talking to people who are piling debris along the street, possibly in anticipation of another cleanup day this year. In his budget report. Councilman Thomas said some of the departmental expenditures are already at 100 percent for this year. Revenues were a little lower than anticipated. In other matters: Councilmen Doug Johnson and Mark Soffe "volunteered" to oversee city celebrations this year; a list of places where power lines need to be raised and power poles installed is being prioritized; rules for use of the gym were discussed, including closing windows and turning down thermostats by the last person out of the building and no gum chewing since some has already been found on the new floor; a $25 donation to the high school for the sterling scholar program; and installation of carpeting on the lower part of the gym walls to prevent injuries. t terrified, and would have not really 50. Last weeks gotcha which paced the floor for hours. They might have been having covertly appeared in the Pyramid Shopper without my the adventure of a lifetime, but for their knowledge (or approval) was I would agonize I was assured they until I And safety good for a few laughs. was able to find out how old a were out of danger. People who are a half few of my readers actually were. century old are also expected feto start looking and acting This But it isnt true. male isnt about to fall for that different. I can remember woman 50 jazz. And even if I were playing a (which I wouldnt admit) I in a play once, and the director wouldnt publish it for all the kept telling me to walk in character. world to see. I couldnt figure out how a You see I stopped having woman was supbirthdays a long time ago. Im walk then and it still posed to actually somewhere between me. Ive 18 and 25 (with a lot of expegot one forescapes and it easier makes ward That its usually on speed rience). for me to keep up with grown the run. As far as looking the part, children and active grandchildren. Ive worn my hair long and drawn back in a bun for It also allows me a wide years. I just happen to like it range of interests and an opthat way. Its a carry over portunity to keep on learning I for so can prepare myself the from when I was a child. I future. I have a loj left to do, always wanted long hair and and Im not about to let a my parents insisted my hair be calendar decide whether I can short and tightly permed. I wore the original afro long handle it or not. before it was stylish. After all, would a mature Now that Im an adult woman brave the worst snowstorm of the winter to drive to (most of the time) I wear my Salt Lake City so she could sit hair how I like it best, because the only one I have to please is at a meeting for eight hours? Never, but a naive young one myself. Maybe someday, when would. And all the time she and if Im ever tired of it. Ill would be thinking, "If I had change. And while Im on the subany sense this would terrify me. n ject of hair, its amazing to me that Im turning blonde again. There are a lot of things I used to try everything to which terrify me, but they do with have to keep the platinum blonde locks rarely anything me personally. They are more I had as a child, then one day I just gave up because I decidassociated with accurately ed I liked the new color. Now people who mean a great deal to me. surprise of all surprises, the For instance, if one of my blonde strands are reappearing. children had taken a trip to Fifty might not' be so bad Salt Lake City in that terrible after all, if and when I ever blizzard, I would have been reach it. Im Elder Wendle James Roberts, son of Dennis and Anita Roberts, Wales, has accepted a call to serve in the Salta, Argentina LDS Mission. He will speak in the Sanpitch LDS Ward on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 9:30 a.m. He enters the MTC on March 2. Lions Club recycles eye glasses MT. PLEASANT Used eye glasses and lenses (not contacts) are being collected by the Lions Club for "recycling." Collection boxes have been in Mt. Pleasants First Security Bank and in Far West Bank branches in Mt. Pleasant and Fairview. Last week, 85 pairs of eye glasses and 12 sets of lenses were donated. The old glasses will be cleaned, repaired as necessary, then fitted and given to people unable to afford glasses. More are always needed, so everyone is encouraged to bring new life to old glasses they may have lying around their homes, according to Lions spokesman Ray Jensen. placed Senior Citizens MORONI , . Moroni Senior will hole) ' a potluck dinner at the SeniorCenter on Friday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. They will also have lunch Tuesday through Friday at noon. Call before 9 a.m. if you want lunch and bring your own dishes. For more information, call 436-876Citizens , , 5. Id like to live like a poor man with lots of money. Pablo Picasso The first U.S. coins known as quarters were issued in 1796. health care plan offers few choices, many penalties Government-ru- n Dear Editor: Under the government-ru- n health care plan proposed by Bill and Hillary Clinton, many of the things you currently do to protect your health and the health of your family will become criminal acts that could land you in prison. Is this an overstatement? Unfortunately, no. The deeper you dig into the Clinton plan, the worse it looks and the more problems you find. The plan begins by taking away choices that only you are qualified to make. And, after your choices have been taken away, the plan will penalize you and your provider if you try to compensate for the health care the government chooses for you. You dont have to read far e into the plan before you see your health care choices begin to disappear. On page 15, under "Individual Responsibilities," you find "each eligible individual... must enroll in an applicable health plan for the individual and must pay any premium required." Page 144 tells you that, if you fail to choose a plan or if the plan you want is oversubscribed, the health care bureaucrats will choose one for you. 1342-pag- Your state legislators are powerless to preserve your health ge 238 of care choices for the Clinton plan preempts state laws protecting patient choice. Once their rules are in place and your choices have been restricted or eliminated, youll have only two options: obey their rules and hope for the best, or seek medical care outside their rules. The Clintons have plans for those who seek care outside their rules. Title V of their Health Security Act outlaws private contracts and competition which skirt the government bureaucracy they have empowered to make decisions about your health care. you-pa- so-call-ed Section 5412 of Title V goes even further. "The offer of payment of remuneration to any such individual... that person knows or should know is likely to influence such individuals to enroll in a particular plan" is also subject to a $50,000 penalty. In other words, Uncle Sam will forbid Blue Cross from giving away toasters or hair dryers as an inducement for choosing their plan over another. Insurers will be forced to behave differently than AT&T and MCI or Ford and Chrysler because they will be government proxies in the marketplace, much like your power or water company. Please choose one from Column A or one from Column A. You may think these civil penalties wont affect you. Think again. Section 5433 makes it a crime to make any "false statement" in any dealing with a health care plan, alliance, etc. These "false statements" could get you fined or sent to jail for five years. To make sure no one cheats, page 236 requires the doctor to report each visit and each treatment to a national data bank containing your personal medical history as well as that of every other American. Section 5434, the "Bribery and Graft" section, makes it a crime to offer or accept additional payment for services or to offer or accept payment to influence a health care decision. More frightening still, pages forbid you from using your guaranteed medical services unless the treatment is deemed "necessary" and "appropriate" and you try to get treatment anyway, and pay for the procedure yourself with your own money, you will have committed a crime. If you offer the doctor $50 or offer to babysit his children in exchange for treatment, you could face a prison sentence. 90-9- 1, All these new laws will be enforced though the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program," funded by fines and forfeitures. The health care police will pay their own salaries out of fines collected from you and your doctors. A strong incentive to levy the heaviest penalties on the most minor infractions. The health care debate is about more than those Americans who may have limited access to health care or who, by choice or circumstance, may not have health insurance. Its about who will make essential choices about your health care and the health care of your family. And its about whether or not it should be a crime to seek the best quality medical care available. Its your health and your health care. Under the Clinton plan, it will be their system, their rules and their prisons. Youll have no choice. Grover G. Norquist "All-Pay- er President Americans for Tax Reform AS SEEN ON T.V. Coltin Lee Goode, son of Angela Goode and Clay Nielson, celebrated his first birthday on Feb. 11, 1994. His grandmother is Mary Goode. His are Mr. and Mrs. Harold Robison, all of Fountain great-grandpare- Green. 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