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Show COMMENTARY Hilltop Times April 6, 2006 Payday Loans: HilltOjl TIMES \V,L-kU Mrwi- Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Col. Scott Chambers 75th ABW Commander Charles Freeman Chief, Public Affairs Barbara Fisher Editor Tech. Sgt. Crystal Robles Assistant Editor Beth Young, Mitch Shaw, Airman 1st Class Jenny Chong and Airman 1st Class Clayton Murray Staff Writers Shannon Smith Page Layout & Design Deadlines: Editorial and news items, 3 p.m. Friday. For more information, call the editor, 7777321. Published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or Ogden Publishing Corp., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg. 152. Call 777-4598 with story ideas or comments, or send e-mail to "hilkop.times(«inll. af.mil". Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. The devil's in the interest rates BYEDBRISLEY Family Support Center director It could be said that Hill is surrounded by payday/car title/check cashing/E-Z loan companies and outlets. There are more than 20 of them within five minutes of our gates. A recent article in a local newspaper revealed that the median annual percentage rate they charge is a whopping 521 percent. When the Family Support Center did a recent survey of the payday lenders near the base, they found a low APR of 191 percent and a high APR of more than 1,330 percent. Unbelievable? Hardly! In our most recent survey, one lender prominently displayed a sign in the lobby which states that the "finance charge" for a $100 loan was $17.50 per day. That doesn't sound like more than 17.5 percent interest until you realize that rate is charged each day of the loan. Multiply that by 30 or 60 days!! In the state of Utah, payday loans can accrue interest or fees for a maximum of 12 weeks. In this case, a total of $1,470 would be charged for the loan if it wasn't paid off. Let's face it, we've all made less than brilliant financial decisions in our lives. The good news is we all survived them and so did our careers. Those survival strategies can provide a positive example for our next generation of Airmen and their families. The simple fact is that none of us are forced to use those lenders or pay those rates. There are alternatives right here on base. A local credit ' union and bank both have very reasonable interest rates (between 9.25 percent and 21,5 percent depending on how much you borrow, for how long, and your credit scores). Another option, especially in an emergency, is the Air Force Aid Society. AFAS is the official charity of the Air Force. Their interest rate for personal loans is ZERO! That's right: nada, nil, nothing. You pay back what you borrow. AFAS lends money for emergency car repairs, rent and utilities, and in a family medical crisis, travel home. In addition to these options, your Family Support Center offers workshops and seminars in financial management and individual assistance designed to keep you in fine financial health. Call the FSC at 777-4681 for information or assistance. 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil Prompt response THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2006 DUIs: 8 Hill's Last DUI: 26 Q l was taking a break outside during the afternoon rePhoto by Airman 1st Class Jenny Chong cently when I heard a dog barking. You might not think Col. Scott Chambers, 75th Air Base Wing commander (right), of this as odd, but where I work, you don't see or hear says farewell to members of the 75th Logistics Readiness dogs. Someone had brought their dog to work and locked It Squadron recently as they prepare for a deployment to Iraq. in the bed of their truck with a dark cover over it. I was very upset and decided to call the security forces. I was so happy that I did. The dispatcher was very pleasant and understanding. He said that he would pass along my concern and report the situation. I had to leave that day because my shift ended at 1:30 p.m., but the next day, my co-workers told me that not only did security forces show up, but they also phoned animal control of Davis County. I want to thank the security forces and the dispatcher for a job well done and for responding in a timely manner. Sometimes they are not thanked enough and I want to say Kudos! A We really appreciate you taking the time to let us know of your good experience with the security forces. They are a professional, motivated team of great Americans who do a job that often goes unrecognized. When you call or send an e-mail, your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor and chain of command the opportunity to work with you in answering questions and solving problems before calling the Action Line. This will help me better serve your interests. Items of basewide interest will be published in the Hilltop Times. Phone numbers — The Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 777-1111 any time to request a ride. base agencies listed can be contacted directly If you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces 777-5550 24-hr. Crisis Inlormalion .. 777-3056 Services 777-4134 Base ResUurants 777-2043 Retirement/Compensation 777-6142 (civilian) Social Aclions 777-3516 Employee Relation* 777-7129 Military Pay 777-1851 Civilian Pay 777-6246 Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 Program IC Compldinls 777-530S (lor appointment) IC Complaints 777-5361 (after hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse .... 777-5361 (recording) 75th Medical Croup 777-4918 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs 777-5201 Public Affairs Information. .777-9696 Control Line Military Housing 777-2963 Maintenance Safety Office 777-3333 Union 777-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Holline... 777-1852 Family MsJstance Center .. 775-3090 (when activated) What do you think about the new hands-free mobile phone policy? Carrie Hansen 84th Combat Sustainment Wing "Now I know I can't pick up the phone in the car! The policy is a good idea, but the ear piece I have does not work well. I stopped talking without a headset in the car as soon as I saw the first e-mail." Senior Airman George Brown 299th Range Control Squadron "I've been known to do it occasionally, and I see plenty of others who do it as well. It makes for a major lack of situational awareness." Senior Airman Luke Trent Roy Edwards 299th Range Control Squadron 508th Mature Aircraft and Simulator Sustainment Group "I think it's about time for the new policy; it is long overdue." Jeffrey Comrie 75th Mission Support Group Senior Airman Rusty Smith 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron "I think this has been M a long time coming. The I think it's just as dispeople talking are operating tracting as it was before. "My wife is usually driva lethal vehicle that could Drivers are still talking on ing so I answer the phone. cause a major accident and the phone. You can drive When people are driving harm to others. It's a lot like with two hands, why not they don't seem to concenwith one?" trate as much when they are chewing gum and walking; people tend to pay a lot talking on the phone. The new policy is a good deal." more attention to one thing than the other." |