The West News (West, Tex.), Vol. 112, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 13, 2002 Page: 2 of 12
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Page 2
The West News - Thursday, June 13,2002
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WHEREAS, the fraternal benefit societies and state frater-
nal congresses have long proclaimed their patriotism and
will demonstrate it by celebrating National Flag Day on June
14,2002 and
WHEREAS, the fraternal benefit system performs many
educational, religious, charitable, cultural and patriotic ac-
tivities through its societies and lodges, and
WHEREAS, the National Fraternal Congress of America
calls upon leaders of its 78 member societies and 36 state
fraternal congresses to apprise the nation of the ideals and
objectives of fraternal societies and to unite in observation
of National Flag Day,
NOW, THEREFORE, I Russell D. Willsey, Mayor of the
City of West, Texas, do hereby proclaim June 14,2002 as
NATIONAL FLAG Day, and call upon citizens to lend their
support and show their appreciation for the contributions
>y fraternal benefit societies.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of the
City of West, Texas
this 3rd day of June, 2002
BY JACK FARIS
The Funeral Director and the (Death) Tax Collector
It's a pretty good bet that a young man or woman starting
out in business isn't thinking that his or her last transactions could
be with the funeral director and the tax collector.
But for too many family businesses, that is the case. Mike
Nobis owns JK Creative Printers in Quincy, Illinois. In 1999,
there were three generations of the family working in the business.
Late in the year Mike lost both parents in an auto accident. The
federal government demanded $300,000 in "death'1 taxes as that
tragedy forced the transfer of the business from one generation to
the next.
The death tax is aptly named. Too often it forces the
demise of family businesses. It is also unfair: The family business
owner must pay taxes when the money is earned and the family
pays again upon the death of the owner.
It's been said the tax is aimed at the very wealthy. If so,
the marksmen must have been from "the gang that couldn't shoot
straight!" Recent figures show that more than half of death-tax
revenues come from estates of under $5 million and more than
two-thirds from estates below $10 million.
For the business owner, the issue is not whether
successful individuals should pay taxes. The issue is how the
sweat and tears of one generation can be passed on to the next
without destroying the economic foundation of the business. For
lawmakers, the goal is finding ways to raise revenues to finance
government.
Fairness and practicality suggest that the death tax is not
the answer. In the case of JK Creative Printers, the $300,000 the
family surrendered to the government in death taxes had been
, earmarked to expand the business and create new jobs (and thus,
new tax revenue) in the community.
The Tax Relief Act of 200! was supposed to gradually get
rid of the death tax once and for all. But because of "procedural
hurtles"—Senate shenanigans—the tax will be phased out by 2010
only to reappear in full force in 2011.
This year, the House of Representatives voted to make
repeal of the death tax permanent after 2010. The Senate will vote
on the companion legislation, the Gramm/Kyl amendment, no later
than June 28. It appears the vote will be very close.
Last year 62 senators voted to repeal the tax. If they were
for repeal last year, one could assume they would be for it now.
Few in Washington are taking that for granted. Senators must not
flip on this vote. The stakes are too high.
NFIB and the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition are
making it possible for those who want to see the death tax
permanently abolished to join forces. They can click on
www.YesToGrammKyl.com to communicate with their senators
and with local newspaper editors. The Web site also gives a voice
to employees of small, family-owned businesses. It even suggests
ways to send photos of the generations who will run the businesses
in the future.
The vote could come at any time before June 28. Those
with a stake in this debate need to act now.
J" With your next hair cut
I get $2 off with this coupon
regular price $8
Alateen offers strength, support
for children of alcoholics
“When dad drinks, he be-
comes a different person. I get
scared. What should I do?” asked
Tim, 14. “I never have friends
over after school because I don’t
know if mom will be drunk. I
would be so embarrassed," said
Susan, 17.
Children who live with an al-
coholic are affected by the
alcoholic’s behavior. They often
experience anxiety, anger, de-
nial, broken promises, neglect,
and physical, emotional or
sexual abuse.
“Alcoholism is a family dis-
ease—a disease of relation-
ships,” write the authors of
“Alateen: Hope for Children of
Alcoholics." "The people in-
volved with the alcoholic learn to
react to his/her behavior. Much
of the child’s time is spent trying
to figure out ways of changing
the alcoholic, but nothing
works.”
Children of alcoholics can sur-
vive and grow by building on
their strengths, changing their
attitudes, being kind to the alco-
holic, and learning to detach
from their loved one’s problem.
That’s where Alateen, a fellow-
ship of young people whose lives
have been affected by a loved
one’s alcoholism, can help.
At Alateen meetings we focus on
the solution and not the prob-
lem,” said Bill, a Minneapolis
Alateen sponsor. “We don’t try to
fix people. No one tells the young
people what to do. Each person
talks about their own experi-
ences and learns how to make
their own decisions. They learn
person’s alcoholism. Alateen
provides the tools to help young
people take care of themselves
emotionally.”Alateen is Al-Anon
for young people. Like Al-Anon,
a mutual-help support group for
adult family members and
friends of alcoholics, Alateen
uses an adapted version of the
Twelve Steps of Alcoholics
Anonymous as a guide to living.
Meetings are held once a week
and last an hour or more.
Alateen members range in age
from 11 to 19, and they run their
own meetings, with assistance
from a sponsor from Al-Anon.
Most meetings begin with in-
troductions by first name only
and a reading from “Alateen—A
Day at a Time,” a book of medita-
tions for children of alcoholics. A
modified version of AA's Twelve
Steps and Twelve Traditions is
read, followed by an in-depth
discussion of a step, slogan or
topic. The group then breaks into
small groups in which each teen-
ager has an opportunity to talk
about what is happening in his
or her life; share their success
stories, strength and hope; and
tell how they are caring for them-
selves.
Alateen is the one safe place
where I can talk about every-
thing,” said Jeff, 15, an Alateen
member. “I’m learning how to
deal with my problems. At first I
was scared to say no to my dad
when he was drunk. I’ve learned
how to take care of myself and
I’ve learned I don’t have to be a
slave to my dad.”
“Alateen helped me talk to
other kids who understand what
it’s like to live in an alcoholic
home,” said Tim. “People care
what’s happening to you, and
you hear other people’s problems
and their successes. We learn to
help each other.”
Sponsors Michael and Bill
identify several key concepts for
Alateen members:
• Anonymity is crucial; what
you say stays in the group.
• Young people learn better
ways to respond to life and the
alcoholic.
• You’re not alone in your ex-
periences.
• Most young people think
they are part of the alcoholic’s
problem; this is not true.
• You cannot control another
person’s behavior; you are not
responsible for the alcoholic.
• You learn to detach from the
alcoholic. You can hate the dis-
ease of alcoholism, but still love
the person who drinks.
• You learn to stop trying to
fix other people’s problems.
• Your job is to accept and
take responsibility for your own
life. Alateen groups meet in ev-
ery state. For information on
how to find an Alateen group
near you, call the Al-Anon na-
tional headquarters at 1-800-
344-2666.
Alive & Free is a chemical
health column provided by
Hazelden, a nonprofit agency
based in Center City, Minn., that
offers a wide range of informa-
tion and services relating to ad-
diction and recovery. For more
resources on substance abuse,
call Hazelden at 1-888-535-9485
or check its Web site at
www.hazelden.org.
For area residents there are
pamphlets on the pamphlet rack
in the City hall and more infor-
mation at 754-3336, anytime.
Pet handling is no problem
if kids wash hands frequently
Pets can transmit some types of minor infectious diseases to their
owners, but that shouldn’t prevent parents from encouraging their
children to bond with the family cat or dog.
The majority of infections transmitted from animals to humans
aren’t serious, said Dr. Maria Rodriguez-Barradas, assistant profes-
sor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
Most infections occur when a person comes in contact with dog or
cat feces, then touches his or her mouth. Two of the common
infections are toxoplasmosis, associated with cats, and giardiasis,
caused by dogs. Toxoplasmosis generally causes no symptoms or
enlarged lymph nodes in healthy people. Giardiasis can result in
diarrhea or cramping.
The solution is to frequently wash your hands and your children’s
hands after playing with pets or coming in contact with possiblj
contaminated soil, she said.
Children also should be reminded never to touch stray animals
and to avoid sharing food or kissing pets on the mouthy Rodriguez-
Barradas said.
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Fax: (254) 776-4560
"An Award winning newspaper"
"The oldest business In West, established In 1889"
214 W. Oak • P.O. Box 38 • West, Texas 76691 • 254-026-3718
The West Times The West News
Established in 1889 Established in 1909
Consolidated January, 1913
Larry Knapek Linn A. Pescaia
Editor Publisher
USPS 677-060
Published weekly each Thursday, Second Class Postage paid at West, Texas.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The West News, P. 0. Box 38, West,
Texas 76691.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $17.50 for McLennan County; $22.00 for all other Texas
Counties; $24.00 for out of state; $32.00 for Cansftla. Alaska and Hawaii.
ATTENTION SUBSCRIBERS: The mailing label is the key to your renewal date. We
do not mail renewal notices. A highlighted mailing label is your renewal notice.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY: Letters to the Editor should not exceed 200
words. Letters that exceed the word limit may not be considered for publication. Letters
should be signed and include address and daytime phone number, for clarification or
confirmation. We reserve the right to edit all letters and we may condense letters that
are accepted for publication. We do not publish form letters, letters written for other
publications or anonymous letters. Poems and letters political in nature are considered
advertising and will be charged for.
Texas Press Association member
Sulak Family Reunion
The descendents of
Cyril (CY) and Anna Bezdek-Sulak
will hold a family reunion
Saturday, June 22, 2002
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cottonwood Hall ~ West
For more information call
Diane (Dee Dee) or Carol Anne Wilson
at (254) 826-3562
Know Your Fire Alarm Codes
One Ring - Grass or Car Fire
Two Rings - Fire Drill or Fireman's Meeting
Three Rings - House Fire
Four Rings - Jaws of Life
Nine Rings - Tornado
Another
Point
of View
Recently I wrote a column denouncing the World Court which,
President Bush opted out of. I alluded to its implication of impinging
our sovereignty. I have a question for those of you who may have
thought that I was a little offbase. How can you have a World Court
without a World government? Isn't it truqthat courts adjudicate the
laws of a government? This column is a continuation of the World
government theme.
Ten years ago there was a meeting in Brazil sponsored by the
United Nations. It was attended by highly visible individuals from
all over the globe. The title of the gathering was the United Nations
Rio Earth Summit. The meeting produced a charter to guide humanity
into a "new era." A group known as the Earth council was formed to
develop the ideas in the charter, as well as the charter itself. The co-
chairmen of the group charged with the task were Mikhail Gorbachev
and Shimon Peres. Grobachev is the founder and ramrod of an
organization call Green Cross International which is a super active
environmental group. He would have the world believe that he has
abandoned communism but I don't think so. I think that he no longer
calls himself a communist but he still has remained true to the
principals of world domination that was and is the backbone of
communism. Have you ever wondered what happened to all those
communists that lost their homes when Russia dropped communism?
It is rumored that they simply joined an environmental group and
didn't change their spots at all.
This charter which has been ten years in its development calls for
a socialized world economy, universal health care, with a focal point
on "reproduction" issues and the expansion of human rights coupled
with the elimination of religious "intolerance." This fall the tenth
anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit will occur and the celebration
will be in South Africa. No doubt we will hear about the charter after
the celebration and will be asked to participate in its implementation.
How do we respond to these recurring world changes that are too
large and to complicated for most of us? We can make ourselves
aware of them, then do our best to educate those who are uninformed.
Terrorism isn't the only danger to our freedom and we must be
vigilant and involved.
"Taxpayers"
Known/Unknown Information
A West Hospital Authority Board Member (Ernest Bezdek)
stated: a meeting will be held Monday, June 17, 2002 at 6:30
p.m. at the Ambulance Building. On the afternoon of June 10,
2002 a notice was posted in the West City Hall that the WHA
Board meeting would be held on June 10,2002 at 6:30 p.m. at
the Ambulance Building. This is not a 72 hour notice.
Let’s take a look at the previous WHA meetings expenses from
January 2001 through April 19,2002. By doing this you will find on
the Profit and Loss sheets in the WHA Financial Statements that
the WHA Board met 12 times with each meetings expenses
averaging $145,56 with the total cost of $1,746.82. The General
Ledger sheets do not state that any of this amount was paid to the
Ambulance Association for any use of the Ambulance Building. It
does show payment for "Catering Services." These Financial
Statements show that rental/lease expenses for WHA Administra-
tive Offices in the amount of $2400 is withdrawn each month from
the WHA Money Market Account. The Financial Statements show
that the West Ambulance Association makes a deposit of $1000
each month to the WHA Money Market Account and that Dr. Eisma
makes a $600 deposit each month to the WHA for rent of a clinic.
The closed West Hospital Building tops the list of Taxpayers
Concerns: (1) Do you want more attention and action put on the
maintenance and repairs of the Hospital Building? (2) When should
the DEBTS of the West Hospital that were incurred by the WHA be
paid? (3) Would you like to see a list of the peoples names and
donations made to the West Hospital Building at the time of
construction? Does the WHA have the records with this informa-
tion?
The Taxpayers "Articles of Information" are not and never
have been against the Volunteer Ambulance Service. With the
new appraisal taxes imposed on most of the West citizens, the
Taxpayers asked the question "is the expenditure of a new ambu-
lance a priority at this time?" Do you think the unstable condition in
the financial world should be considered before spending this large
amount of money?
The Taxpayers "Articles of Information" are accurate and have
certified documents to prove the information is valid. Why would
any citizen make such an accusation as to “LYING” about Public
Information? Why does the response from the West Volunteer
Ambulance Board of Directors say that these Articles are a Political
Advertisement? Is there a problem with giving the citizens accurate
information as to how their money is being spent?
The Waco and West Newspapers require a person and/or
persons name and address on all articles and/or Letters to the
Editor. The Taxpayers “Articles of Information” complied with this
requirement. Why didn't the West Volunteer Ambulance Service
Board of Directors give their names and addresses as required?
Who are the WVAS Board of Directors; shouldn’t they have to
comply with the Newspapers requirements?
This ad is paid for by:
WALTER SOUKUP
188 HCR 2232
WEST, TX 76691
MARY E. KADDATZ
1207 N. REGAN ST.
WEST, TX 76691
The Country Blacksmith
Manufacture & Erect: Steel
Buildings, Carports and Patios,
Ornamental Iron, Steel Roofs,. Grain
Bins and Grain Handling Equipment.
. We also do Portable Welding
& Winch Service
I PHONE: (254) 826-3601
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Knapek, Larry. The West News (West, Tex.), Vol. 112, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 13, 2002, newspaper, June 13, 2002; West, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth715814/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting West Public Library.