The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 95, No. 86, Ed. 1 Friday, October 27, 2000 Page: 4 of 24
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Page 4A
The Boerne Star
Friday, October 27, 2000
Vi ewp oints
Another annoyance
to go with being sick
Is it just me or what? Does this
bother anyone else out there?
One of my pet peeves happens to
be medical commercials on the
radio or television.
I was watching some program
the other night and counted 12
health-related commercials at
once before we got back to the
program.
Seems like there are more and
more of them each year that goes
by, doesn’t it?
I suppose when I get to the
point where I can’t remember
anything, this space between the
programs will certainly be a dis-
aster.
If we suffer short-term memory
loss and have to wade through 10
minutes of commercials, how in
heavens name will we be able to
keep up with what is going on
with any program?
Of course, as bad as most of the
programs are today, it might be a
good thing and doesn’t really
matter, does it?
This disturbing trend seems to
be the increase in commercials
for medical stuff. Now that
tobacco has been taken off the
airwaves, it seems to have been
replaced with ads for a thousand
and one health products.
It makes me wonder what the
advertisers think of us as a
whole. I bet if someone came to
this country and saw all of these
for the first time, they’d think we
were about to fall apart as a
nation. It’s a wonder we don’t get
invaded a couple of times a year,
isn’t?
Bladder control products seem
to be one of the top products
being hawked at us day and
night.
The way these things are laid
out it seems half the world is
having a difficult time getting to
the bathroom on time. Acid
i reflux - what’s this all about? In
years "gone by, wasn’t this called
heartburn?
If I had the time and inclina-
tion, I’d sit down and make a list
of all of the various physical ail-
ments that we’re getting told we
have and what we need to do
about them.
Lots of times I think the drug
companies just take some simple
ailment and make it into some
big deal just to get us to buy
some more pills and nasal sprays.
Take sinus for example. Now
we all know that several times
each year the trees and plants
bloom and give off stuff that
might make us sneeze and
wheeze, don’t we?
Yet, if you’re like me, at the
- LETTERS
- frOM
I NORTH
■AMERICA
Peary Perry
first sign of that annual misery
season, we go to the doctor who
gives us a handful of prescrip-
tions.
Another annoying thing that I
notice is the fact that these com-
mercials try to make us feel inad-
equate if we get some kind of
problem or another.
Like it’s my fault I have a cold
and I’m rejected by society as a
result of it. I notice in the grocery
store there are lots and lots, of
things to blow your nose on, and
I sure don’t buy all of them so
someone else must be sick as
well.
What did people do before we
had these miracle drugs? Did
they build up immunity to the
stuff in the air or did they just
move to some other part of the
world?
Maybe this explains how some
of the lost tribes got lost in the
first place. Perhaps Moses was
just trying to find some place
where the pollen count was
lower. Or he wouldn’t stop and
ask directions as members of the
opposite sex have suggested it to
me.
Trust me on this. If you believe
the stuff we get thrown at us by
television and radio advertise-
ments, you’d be carrying a shoe
box or a knapsack around with
you at all times to hold the pills
and potions we’ve been given to
us.
Personally, I think less is more
and tend to stick with it. Listen to
me.
If your bladder is giving you
problems, stop drinking so many
fluids.
It works for the kids, it’ll work
for you as well. If you get acid
reflux or heartburn, lay off the
chili, onions and Mexican food.
It’ll get you every time.
There, I’ve saved you a lot of
grief and possibly some money. I
didn’t go to medical school, and
I don’t have insurance so if this
doesn’t work, you can’t sue me.
Just take two aspirins and call
some doctor in the morning.
As always you can reach me at
www.pearyperry.com.
Don’t try to reach me tomor-
row. I have a doctors appoint-
ment.
Write us a letter ...
The Boerne Star welcomes letters on any public issue.
Letters may be mailed, faxed, e-mailed or hand-de live red
but must contain the writer’s name, address and phone
number. Addresses and telephone numbers are for verifica-
tion purposes only and will not be published. Names and
city of residence will be published. We reserve the right to
edit all letters for style and content. Call 249-2441 with
questions regarding the submission of letters to the editor
for publication.
THE Boerne STAR
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor
Staff Writer
Sports Editor
Typesetter
PRODUCTION
EDITOR I PUBLISHER
Edna Keasling
Jennifer Fierro Director
Joni Simon Account Executive
Jennifer Fierro Account Executive
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BOOKKEEPING
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mary Alice Yelverton, Vera D’Spain, Regina Alexander, Dr. John R Kelly, Louise Foster, Tom Lanier, Peary
Perry, John Powell, Marlin Marcum, Ken Nietenhoefer, Jan Wrede, Joni Simon
T:
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
MEMBER OF Texas Press Association,
National Newspaper Association,
South Texas Press Association, Texas Gulf Coast Press Association
282 N. MAIN • (UPS 059-740)
P.O. Box 820 • 830-249-2441 FAX 830-249-4607
THE BOERNE STAR is published twice weekly for S28 per year in Kendall County, $35 elsewhere in
Texas and $50 per year outside of Texas by The Boerne Star, 282 N. Main, Boerne, Kendall County, TX.
78006. Periodical postage paid at Boerne, TX. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to THE
BOERNE STAR, RO. Box 820. Boerne, Texas 78006-0820.
The Boerne Star welcomes letters on any public issue. Letters may be mailed, faxed, e-
mailed or hand-delivered but must contain the writer's name, address and phone number.
Letters should not exceed 300 words. Addresses and telephone numbers are for verification
purposes only and will not be published. Names and city of residence will be published. We
reserve the right to edit all letters for style and content. Call 249-2441 with questions.
A right and privilege of all Americans
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet”—
Abraham Lincoln
So you’re not going to vote this year? After all,
what difference does it really make anyway?
They’ll do whatever they want to, not matter
what we think. Right?
Maybe not. This time we can make our voices
heard. We have the opportunity to elect our ser-
vants in Washington. Don’t abdicate your privi-
lege and responsibility.
Contrary to what some would have us believe,
we are living in the greatest country in the
world. Maybe that’s why millions are clamoring
to get in - legally and illegally.
We are the least controlled, most free-spirited
humans on earth. We enjoy more human rights
and have more wealth and security than anyone
else. We enjoy the freedom of worship, to speak
our minds, to criticize, to oppose, to own prop-
erty. We can run for office, travel freely, congre-
gate, succeed, and, yes, fail.
In America, there is no excuse for default or
despair. We throw out more garbage every week
than people in underdeveloped countries eat in a
year.
An average newspaperboy in this country
makes more money than half of the people in
the world.
A BREATH
OF
FRESH AIR
Ken Nietenhoefer
So, what’s the problem? Some in this nation
have become corrupt. Some of our leaders have
become engaged in immoral antics. Central
government has usurped too much power, mak-
ing it increasingly difficult for a common citizen
to enjoy many of the rights promised.
Governmental regulations threaten us.
. Illegal immigrants flood across our nation’s
borders. Some of our constitution-guaranteed
liberties are becoming eroded. Some believe
that the government knows better than the indi-
vidual how things should be run.
Certain special-interest groups, under the
guise of protecting the environment, are forcing
their agendas on the masses. Taxes are being
forced upon the citizens - to the degree that
most of us must work half the year just to pay
them.
Many have been robbed of their desire to suc-
ceed. Consequently, an increasing number of
citizens simply hold out their hands and ask
what their government can do for them, rather
than ask what they can do for their nation.
Condoms are popular; God is not. Free hand-
outs for illegal aliens are in; help for veterans is
out. Honoring the nation’s young is in; honoring
its elders is out. Sleazy TV shows are in; family
values are out. WHOA! Time for a change,
don’t you think?
What this country needs is positive people,
willing to sacrifice, share and work together. We
need focused people, willing to build a bright
future. We need leaders who are willing to let us
— the people — to take the bull by the horns
and make good things happen.
We need to hold our public servants account-
able. They are, after all, working for us. WE
need to be accountable for our actions and for
our results.
So, despite the rampant disgust that many of
us feel after witnessing the most corrupt time in
this country’s history, don’t give up. Don’t quit.
Don’t lose interest.
You can make a difference. Get interested. Get
involved. Become committed.
But, most of all — get out and VOTE!
How non-citizens can receive SS benefits
Q. Can a non-citizen receive Social Security
benefits?
A. A relatively new law, Public Law 104-193,
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opport-
unity Reconciliation Act of 1996, permits pay-
ment of Social Security benefits to noncitizens
living in the United States (U.S.) only if they are
lawfully present in this country.
The law requires that anyone living in the U.S.
who applies for Social Security benefits on or
after Sept. 1, 1996, must provide evidence that he
or she is a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, or an
alien lawfully present in the U.S. as determined
by the Attorney General.
This law does not affect: Social Security bene-
fits for people residing outside the U.S.; Social
Security benefits for people who applied before
September 1, 1996; or entitlement to Medicare
hospital insurance by a Social Security beneficia-
ry.
GUEST
COLUMN
Oscar Garcia
SOCIAL SECURITY
received. You might be interested to know that
two-thirds of all retirees take reduced-early retire-
ment from Social Security. To find out more about
your retirement, call our toll-free number at 1-
800-772-1213.
Q. Why is it necessary to provide the Social
Security numbers for both parents on the applica-
tion for a child’s Social Security card?
A. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (Public Law
105-34) requires that the Social Security
Understanding how your benefits are computed Administration (SSA) obtain both parents’ Social
may help you understand this better. Security numbers (SSN) when someone applies
We also recommend the publication, How Your for an original SSN for a child under age 18. This
Retirement Benefit is Figured at law also requires SSA to share this information
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10070.html The earn- with the Internal Revenue Service. However, an
ings of the worker are “indexed,” that is, updated SSN can be assigned to a child under age 18 with-
to account for increases in average wages since out both parents’ SSNs if there is a valid reason
the year the earnings were received. We use this for not providing the numbers. Here is a list of
amount, not the actual earnings, to figure the those valid reasons.
retirement benefit. One, a parent is eligible for an SSN, but does not
This law should not be confused with payment To figure the benefit amount for most workers want to apply for one. Two, a parent is not eligi-
to non-citizens under the Supplemental Security now reaching age 62, we consider all Social ble for an SSN; e.g., the parent is a non-citizen
Income (SSI) program. Under the SSI program, Security-covered earnings after 1950 through the who is not admitted to the United States, or is’
there are different rules for non-citizens in order year before retirement.
to qualify. For more information, you may call
our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. Our repre-
sentatives there will be glad to help you.
Q. I retired from my job and took part-time
employment and I am now earning much less.
How will this affect my benefit at age 62 and at
age 65?
A. By stopping work before retirement age you
cannot reduce your benefits, but you may not
receive as high amount as you would had you
continued working up to retirement age.
For most people retiring now and in the future,
we consider 35 years of earnings to figure retire-
ment benefits.
We total the highest 35 years (after indexing) of
earnings during the applicable period and divide
by 420 (the number of months in 35 years) to find
the average monthly earnings. Once the average is
figured, another formula is applied to figure the
full benefit rate. If a person wants to receive ben-
efits before age 65, the amount is reduced to
account for the longer time benefits will be
lawfully admitted without work authorization.
MANTI wanmicemer woursonue Ta stow
Three, one (or both) of the parents’ SSNs is not
readily available to the applicant. Four, one (or
both) of the parents’ whereabouts is unknown to
the applicant.
Once you provide Social Security with all the
necessary information, you can expect to receive
your child’s card in about 7 to 10 business days.
You can request the application for a Social
Security card by calling our toll-free number, 1-
800-772-1213, or by visiting our web site,
www.ssa.gov.
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
On Oct. 11, a private meeting was
conducted to elect the new board for
the Boerne Youth Athletic Asso-
ciation. According to the by-laws
and the way board members have
been elected in the past, public
notice of the meeting to elect new
board members is open to the public
and posted in the local newspapers.
No one saw the notice of the Oct. 11
meeting because there was no notice
published. Those who attended the
meeting had notice by word of
mouth or had attended the last board
meeting. The Board for BYAA has
been reduced in size and is now con-
trolled by people who live in Fair
Oaks Ranch. That of and by itself is
not relevant, but the fact that there is
a Little League boundary dispute
upon registration numbers. This
could mean that anyone who has a
child over the age of 12 no longer
plays ball or must go to San Antonio
to play. This is no hardship for peo-
ple who live in Fair Oaks Ranch, but
it is an undue hardship for kids from
rural Kendall County. If BYAA
removes itself from Little League
affiliation, the opportunities for girls
participating in softball will be
affected. If the boundary dispute is
resolved in favor of the San Antonio
Little League, there is a possibility
that BYAA will no longer associate
itself with Little League. The Board
will make that decision, not the gen-
eral membership. BYAA is a public,
not private, organization. In the past
few years, the organization has suf-
fered because of the lack of involve-
yet to be determined.
The notice may show up in the
local papers or it may be in the San
Antonio paper. If you want to have a
voice, you need to be informed and
take the time to get involved. If you
do not, you may be surprised when it
comes time to register for next year
that there may be no next year for
your child.
Diz Reeves
Assistant District Administrate
District 26 Texas State Little
League
A BL FORB HE 1
GOT THAT CP PLAYER,
THINGS WENT IN ONE EAR
AND OUT THE OTHER—
NOW THEY PON T EVEN
x GO IN...
with a San Antonio Little League to ment by the parents. This has to
include most of Fair Oaks Ranch in
its territory makes it very relevant.
Some things of interest to most of
the parents of children wanting to
play Little League Baseball next
year go beyond the boundary dis-
pute. The board will decide whether
or not there will be a Junior or
Senior League in the future based
change or the way in which ball has
been played in the past will no
longer exist.
Because of complaints about how
the new board was elected, another
general meeting of the public to
elect the BYAA Board for next year
will take place. For now, the date is
set for Nov. 1 with a time and place
www.batryscartons.czn
l 3 253: 53
WRITE ’EM!
KENDALL COUNTY
JUDGE BILL GOODEN
204 E. San Antonio
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-9343
Commissioners
JOHN KIGHT
L.M. HOLMAN
DARRELL LUX
DUANE DUBOSE
204 E. San Antonio
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-9343
BOERNE ISD
School Superintendent
JOHN KELLY
123 W. Johns Rd.
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-5000
COMFORT ISD
School Superintendent
MARLIN MARCUM
232 High
Comfort, Texas 78013
995-3664
CITY OF BOERNE
MAYOR PATRICK HEATH
402 E. Blanco
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-9511
STATE REP
HARVEY HILDERBRAN
District 53
125 Lehmann Dr.
Kerrville, Texas 78028
(830) 257-2333
STATE SENATOR
JEFF WENTWORTH
District 25
1250 N.E. Loop 410 St. 720
San Antonio, Tx 78209
(210) 826-7800
U.S.
REPRESENTATIVE
LAMAR SMITH
District 21
2231 Sam Rayburn Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 225-4236
Smith - Locally
1006 Junction Hwy.
Kerrville, Texas 78028
(830) 895-1414
1100 N.E. Loop 410,
Suite 640
San Antonio, Texas
78209
(210) 821-5024
U.S. SENATOR
PHIL GRAMM
Russell Building Rm. 179
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2934
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
703 Hart Senate Office
Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-5922
GOVERNOR
GEORGE W. BUSH
State Capital
Room 200
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 463-2000
PRESIDENT
BILL CLINTON
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C.
20000
BOERNE
CITY COUNCIL
7:30 p.m.
second and fourth
Tuesday of the month,
City Hall
402 E. Blanco
KENDALL COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
9 a.m.
second and fourth
Monday of the month,
Kendall County
Courthouse,
204 E. San Antonio
Worth Quoting ...
“The narrower the mind,
the broader the statement.’
Bible Verse ...
— Ted Cook
“Sing to the Lord you saints of his; praise
his holy name. For his anger lasts only a
moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night but
rejoicing comes in the morning. When I
felt secure, I said, ‘I will never be shak-
en.’ O Lord, when you favored me, you
made my mountain stand firm; but when
you hid your face, I was dismayed.”
— Psalm 30: 4-7
New International Version
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Keasling, Edna & Fierro, Jennifer. The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 95, No. 86, Ed. 1 Friday, October 27, 2000, newspaper, October 27, 2000; Boerne, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1626611/m1/4/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Patrick Heath Public Library.