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Show m t ' ,? . .VP 4 , SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Opinion WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2002 Flying the Flag at half-staf-f Collections ues to occur. For example, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno had ordered the American on all Flag flown at half-staU.S. Department of Justice buildings in honor of several DEA agents who had died. While NFF understands this gesture, the Flag Code did not give Reno the authority to issue that order. Closer to NFFs Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania home, Mayor Tom Murphy ordered all flags flown to honor the victims at half-staGood faith misunderstand- of a plane crash. Here again, a gesture, but one ings Although the code is actually for which no authority exists. NFF points out these goo- dpretty clear, confusion contin government of any state, territory, or possession of the United States, the governor of that state, territory, or possession may proclaim that the national flag shall The code be flown at half-staf- f. also includes other related details including the specific length of time during which the flag should be displayed at half-staf- f, in the event of the death of a principal figure (e.g. 30 days for the death ofa sitting or former president, 10 days for the death of a sitting etc). The pertinent section of the Flag Code says, by order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staf- f upon the death of principal figures of the United States government and the governor of a state, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to accordbe displayed at half-stato ing presidential orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the Continued from Page 10 much higher. Over the last couple of years the average days of gross accounts receivables on hand has gone from over 100 days to less than 60 days. Next, why a collection agency? It is unfortunate but sometimes people do not respond to letters from us or a finance company to pay or at least make payment arrangements. At this point it is necessary to take stronger action. Many often become complacent about just another reminder from the girls at the hospital. When they receive a note from an outside collection agency most people react. Often they are angry but they at least respond. If the response and payment are made from the first collection agency notice, damage to the credit history is avoided. By the time the second notice comes, the credit bureaus have been informed. Affecting someones credit history is really the only leverage a hospital can use effectively. We cannot give the disease or accident back and I am afraid if we ask for the child to be returned, we might get a few takers. Then what would ff vice-preside- we do? and only make sense in a IFaimfillnes that respect to our living, our dead and our flag. We owe Name withheld IFSiysG to support ending the Marriage Tax penalty and the Death Tax, and he did. Stay Independent cited by the Utah Manufacturers Association for keeping his independence and voting to help Utahs economy. Work with Republicans, Independents ' and Democrats Supported President Bush on his education reform plan, tax cut, war on terrorism, and authority to deal with Iraq. Believes in cooperation to put Utah families first. common. When we have used collectors we found they quickly g the got tired of same people they saw in the grocery store and in turn being shunned or accosted by people in town. They soon were looking for other opportunities and any training was lost. se brow-beatin- explained ing these breaches of etiquette, please be assured that our motives are pure. We grieve these human losses deeply; however, we believe proper respect for our flag must be maintained-n- o matter the circumstances. Cut TftX&S Promised handfull ofcases. Using an outside agency allows us to tap into expertise and collection resources that we would be unlikely to develop internally. The 25 we pay to the agencies we use is not high, 33 to 50 is Having that NFF is insensitive for rais- Keeping His Promises to: I V-'S- ' Court proceedings are costly in-hou- ed half-staf- f. : IPcoGGaoagj URJsilfo i ,i ff nt, well-intention- tJ 4 ff faith misunderstandings not to criticize or embarrass anyone, but rather to head off a growing trivialization of this memorial salute, and to preserve the dignity and significance of flying the U.S. flag at To any readers who may think Making a Difference for Utah Families gt' the hospitals justification for the use Holding the Line on Federal Spending and Taxes of outside entities for collections, I do not excuse us from the er- T a" Improving Education i T rors that have occurred. The hospital staff and outside agencies will work to correct the communications so that we can avoid unjustified damage to credit. Protecting Families from Radiation Exposure and Opposing Nuclear Waste Traveling tlirough Utah if Cricking Down on Corporate Fraud Making Social Security Strong and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Stephen Howells Kane County Hospital Finance Director i ,l'4- Flag etiquette Dear Editor: is Flying the flag at half-staf- f an area of flag etiquette that most people want to make sure they get right. It is also an area for which the road to error is routinely paved with good intentions. With that in mind, we offer this refresher course as the intersection where FOR CONGRESS 1 Vs - all-import- - knowledge-meet- s benevolence... MAT0212. M Paid - ..'j tound aijtJiorid y iijiiiiii. uninwiiMi iijui iff" by Mathescin or Congress. 1 r |