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Senate Week In Review

August 3-7, 2009, A view from the Illinois Senate Republican Press Office

SPRINGFIELD ­ A panel commissioned to review admissions policies at the University of Illinois (U of I) issued its final report Aug. 6, which calls for the resignation of the U of I Board of Trustees, according to State Sen. Tim Bivins (R-Dixon).

Also this week, two measures were signed into law to restrict the use of cell phones while driving. One measure prohibits sending text messages while driving, while the other restricts cell phone use in construction zones.

Plans are also underway for the second in a series of hearings on ending the gerrymandering of legislative and congressional districts. The second hearing is tentatively set for Aug. 18 in Springfield, with additional hearings in September and October in Peoria and Carbondale, Bivins said.

In its report, members of the Illinois Admissions Review Commission stated that trustee members should resign, allowing Gov. Pat Quinn to decide what members to reappoint to the board and who should fill any vacancies. The Commission also called on the new board to conduct a thorough review of the role played by U of I President B. Joseph White and Chancellor Richard Herman in the "shadow admissions process."

Bivins explained that more than 800 undergraduate applicants, as well as law and business school candidates, received preferential treatment through the process, which was called "Category I." These students were admitted to the state's flagship university because of their ties to prestigious individuals, such as elected officials, wealthy donors, and university trustees.

The Commission report said that while the process may have initially begun "as a seemingly innocuous way to "'track' inquiries from prominent individuals," it eventually "evolved (or devolved) into a 'well-oiled' machine that was perhaps unparalleled among universities in its level of formality and structure."

The report also recommends the U of I eliminate the Category I admissions process, make public both the appeals process and any third-party inquiries, allow only students and family members to make official inquiries regarding an admissions application, and establish a state higher education inspector to conduct investigations of future violations.

On Aug. 6, the Governor signed legislation that will make it illegal for drivers to text when behind the wheel, or to talk on a cell phone when driving through school speed zones or construction areas. An initiative of the Secretary of State's Distracted Driving Task Force, the laws are intended to reduce accidents caused by distracted drivers.

House Bill 71 prohibits drivers from sending text messages while driving, but also bans sending e-mails or instant messages, surfing the Internet, or reading messages. However, motorists can text while the car is in park or neutral, if they pull over to the shoulder of the road, or if there is an accident or emergency. They can also continue to use their GPS devices.

Another measure seeks to reduce accidents caused by distracted drivers in school, construction or maintenance zones. House Bill 72 prohibits a driver from using a wireless phone in any of these areas, unless the person is working at the construction or maintenance site, the phone must be used for emergency purposes, or if the telephone was voice-activated.

Although texting bans have been enforced in a number of states, opponents say that law enforcement officials could use texting to target drivers of a potential race or ethnicity. Others say there are already laws that apply to improper lane using and speeding, which adequately police drivers who are distracted when using their cell phone to send or read messages.

Other legislation recently signed into law includes:

Charter Schools (SB 612/PA 96-0105): Increases the number of charters from 60 to 120, and forces all charter schools to employ certificated teachers in 75 percent of instructional positions. (SB 1984/PA 96-0104): Requires charter schools to comply with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act.

College Savings Plans (SB 81/PA 96-0120): States that if money from Bright Start or College Illinois! is deducted and not used for qualified expenses at an eligible educational institution, the taxpayer must add the original contribution amount to his or her taxable income, to the extent it was deducted.

Convenience Accounts (SB 229/PA 96-0123): Allows banks to establish bank accounts where depositors can't access funds, but can make deposits and payments on behalf of the account holder.

Drug Testing (HB 272): Requires the Illinois High School Association to randomly test interscholastic athletes for the use of performance-enhancing substances. Students who refuse to be tested or found to have used performance-enhancing drugs will not be allowed to participate in the sport.

Foreclosure (HB 153/PA 96-0110): Requires a foreclosure deed to contain the grantee's name, address and phone number. (HB 3863/PA 96-0111): Requires new owners of a foreclosed property to make a good-faith effort to ascertain the identities and addresses of all occupants in the dwelling and notify the occupants that he or she has acquired the property.

Health Education (SB 1665/PA 96-0128): Includes cancer as an informational topic in health education classes and allows athletic organizations to require a testicular examination as part of a physical required for a male student's participation in interscholastic athletics.

High School Dropouts (SB 1796/PA 96-0106): Requires the State Board of Education to implement and administer the Illinois Hope and Opportunity Pathways through Education Program to re-enroll high school dropouts in programs that will enable them to earn their high school diploma.

Information Database (SB 1828/PA 96-0107): Creates an educational database system that will link students' preschool through higher education student unit records.

Insanity (SB 42/PA 96-0117): Allows victim impact statements to be presented at the mental health commitment hearing of someone who is found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Limited Liability Company (SB 239/PA 96-0126): Creates low-profit limited liability corporations, which are established to pursue a charitable or educational purpose, and are not created to generate income or achieve political or legislative goals.

Low-Speed Bicycles (SB 236/PA 96-0125): Allows a person to operate a low-speed bicycle if they have a valid driver's license.

Mortgages (HB 4011/PA 96-0112): Creates standards for Illinois' participation in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, which is intended to streamline licensing and enhance enforcement and consumer protection by increasing access to information on mortgage companies operating in multiple states.

Preschool Grants (SB 79/PA 96-0119): Requires preschools receiving grants from the Preschool For All program to collaborate with local Head Start agencies.

Property Taxes (SB 207/PA 96-0122): Establishes requirements for new information to be included on notices of property tax assessment.

School Restructuring Task Force (SB 2119/PA 96-0109): Creates a Task Force to develop strategies to allow for the innovation, intervention, and restructuring of schools.

Sex Offenders (SB 62/PA 96-0118): States that convicted sex offenders cannot operate certain vehicles, including ice cream trucks, emergency or rescue vehicles.

Tax Miscellaneous (SB 1691/PA 96-0116): Extends the investment tax credit, the graphic arts machinery and equipment exemption, and the manufacturer's purchase credit.

Tax Proceeds (SB 230/PA 96-0124): States that counties that collect a special county retailer's occupation tax for public safety may share those funds with any fire protection district located in that county.

Waste Disposal (SB 178/PA 96-0121): Establishes Household Waste Disposal Stations for disposal of prescription drugs and potentially hazardous household waste products.

An Important Message from Jo-Carroll Energy

Dear Editor:

Climate change legislation is moving forward in Congress, and Jo-Carroll Energy, along with other electric cooperatives across the nation, is standing up to fight for fairness. Decisions will be made in the coming weeks that will directly impact our electric bills, and none of us can afford to sit this one out. With our representatives here at home for August recess, now is the perfect time to make our voices heard.

We stepped up early in the debate to fight for fairness and affordability as this legislationwhich included a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plantswas considered in the U.S. House of Representatives. Backed by more than 375,000 consumers taking part in the Our Energy, Our Future campaign, electric co-ops had a major impact, securing more than $3 billion in rate relief from initial U.S. House proposals.

But the legislation passed by the U.S. House in June still has major flaws. In Midwestern states like Illinois where energy suppliers rely heavily on coal for generation, we would be hit

especially hard. Jo-Carroll Energy's power suppliers derive 72 to 97 percent of their base load energy from coal-fired generation. The annual cost of buying allowances to offset emissions could range from $15 to $100 per ton plus, costing Jo-Carroll Energy members $5.8 million to $38.6 million or more per year.

The debate has now moved to the U.S. Senate, where another version of the bill is being drafted. Here we have another opportunity to fight for more improvements and to minimize the impact this Congressional action may have. Here we all have an opportunity to shape the outcome.

We must urge members of the Senate to keep climate change legislation fair, recognizing regional difference in how electricity is produced. It must be affordable for all Americans. And its goals must be achievablewhen they take effect, the technology needed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions should be commercially viable at each step of the way.

It is time we all step up to the plate and make a stand for the interests of consumers. Your senators as well as members of the U.S. House need to hear from all of ustheir voting constituentsfor direction.

Let's talk to our elected officials, and get our voices to Washington through the Our Energy, Our Future campaign. Tell them you are watching and listeningand that you want to know what they are going to do about this issue. Send a message to Capitol Hill about the need for fair, affordable, and achievable climate change legislation. You can do this by visiting www.ourenergy.coop, where you can send an email or printed letter urging them to work with electric cooperatives to find a solution that keeps the lights on at an affordable price. We must ensure that when they vote on a bill, it keeps America's best interests at heart. I strongly encourage each of you to do this immediately.

Sincerely,

Michael W. Hastings

President and CEO

Jo-Carroll Energy

Here We Go Again!

On June 26, 2009 the House of Representatives passed HR-2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (also known as the Waxman-Markey Energy Bill, or the Cap and Trade Bill, or the Global Warming Bill, or whatever you wish to call it).

This bill will dramatically raise taxes on Oil, Gasoline, and Electricity. It will also prevent us from selling our homes unless we comply with Federal Energy standards on appliances and windows to ensure that our old homes are energy efficient.

As a small business owner the extra taxes this bill will bring at a time when we are hurting could be devastating to my business. This was yet another 1200 page bill that no one had time to read. It passed by only seven votes. Eight of those votes were cast by Republicans. Only one of those Republicans was from Illinois...Mark Kirk.

Mark Kirk is from US 10th Congressional District in Lake County. Though he is not my Congressman, he has recently started to ask me via email for campaign contributions. That is very odd.

I suspect that he is planning a run for the Senate in 2010. In Illinois we have a history of trying to choose between two candidates from the two political parties who think the same on most issues. I for one am very tired of this. I would like a discernable choice for the US Senate in November 2010. How about you?

Dick Hourigan, LTC, US Army (Ret), Rochelle, IL

Editor's Note: Here is a little background on Mr. Hourigan. He is an Analytical Chemist, and owns Richard Hourigan, Inc. an Illinois Corporation formed in December 1992. He is a retired Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel who commanded five Army units: two Battalions, two Companies, and one Detachment. Currently, he is the Treasurer of the Ogle County Republican Central Committee.

Mr. Hourigan added this note to his letter: "I called Mark Kirk's Washington Office on June 26th when I heard that he might be planning to vote "Aye" on this bill. I spoke to one of his staffers. Since that time I have received three emails from his office, two of which asked for money. I responded to all three asking why he voted in favor of this bill. I have yet to receive a response."

Be a Good Sport

As the school year approaches, many of us are excited about the upcoming sports seasons. Having been a player and a coach, I know it can be difficult to manage your emotions. This is especially true when our own children are involved.

We should remind ourselves that student activities/athletics were developed to complement and support the educational mission of our schools. As educators, parents, and fans, we know that activities often promote community support, provide entertainment, and shape the character of our students and children. At the same time, we must appreciate that these activities can corrupt, distort, or undermine the values that we cherish.

Outlined in the code of conduct for student-athletes at Eastland Middle and High School are the expectations that they will:

- maintain academic eligibility

- behave responsibly

- use appropriate language

- treat officials and dignitaries with respect, and their decisions with tolerance

- compete aggressively, while respecting the right of their opponents to do the same

- confront failure with courage, fair-mindedness, and resolve

- respond to the poor conduct of opponents and opposing fans by elevating performance rather than resorting to words, gestures, or force, the weakest means of response

- remain modest in victory

- obey training rules.

Participation in activities/athletics can enrich students' educational experiences, but only if we all remain focused on these values that are fundamental to success throughout life.

These values are easy to remember when things are going well, but it is how we conduct ourselves when things are not going well that will tell others about our nature, and that will ultimately determine if we are successful.

Let us strive not only to be the most dominant team on the field or court, but also, the most respected school and community in region.

Respectfully,

Mark D. Hansen,

Superintendent

Maintenance Needs Maintenance

I have a couple questions for the City of Lanark officials. I was walking by the Maintenance building and noticed the 2-people doors are in horrible condition. There are no knobs and the doors appear to be beat up. I am not sure how long this has been like this, but I think this looks terrible. The Maintenance building needs maintenance and this does not seem like it would be a very time consuming or expensive job to do.

Also, when is the street work on E. Leland St going to be finished? The street was torn up several weeks ago and we are left with a gravel road in town. This is hard on cars, strollers, and feet.

If these two projects would be completed, it would greatly improve the appearance of our town.

Thank you.

Valerie Sweitzer

Lanark, IL

Galenian Announces Candidacy

Hello, I am Walter M. Johnson. I am going to run for Illinois House of Representatives again.

I ran last year against Representative Jim Sacia and was defeated. This was my first timerunning for a public office. Representative Sacia got around 33,000 votes compared to my 15,000 votes.

I understand the problems and issues Illinois has and would like the chance to help this state become a strong state again. I have learned a lot about running for public office, it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice but if I can help the people of my district and the whole state of Illinois, it will be worth the sacrifice and hard work. I am a "people" person; I will work hard for the people of Illinois on every issue and will have an "open door" policy. If, you need helpon any matter, you can contact me anytime and I will work with you to resolve a problem or issue.

I stand firm to our Constitution that "a government for the people, by the people". In our state, many people believe our political system is too corrupt and the Illinois government will do what they want to do and not listen to us. I want to change this I have ideas that I would like to see implemented when I am elected. Illinois is ranked very lowon a lot of issues (education, employment, aid to disabled individuals and many other important issues).

The people of Illinois have to look at their elected official and ask themselves has our Governor, Senator, Representative, etc been for us and voted on issues that are important to us. If he or she has not been for what you believe is important, then you have the right to vote for a person that will work with and for you. I am not running for "Representative" for myself, I am running for the people of Illinois.

I have seen what has happened to our new 2010 budget and all the cuts the governor had to do or will do. It helps some but hurts others. The Illinois Constitution states that at the end of the fiscal year, the general assembly will pass on to the governor a balanced budget. This has not happened for many years. The general assembly rushed thru a budget (that still was not balanced) to the governor and he signed it, could this be because a major election is coming next year?

I want to go to Springfield and be the voice for the people of the 89th district and the whole state of Illinois. I will clean up the corruption in our state government. I will make it easier for the everyday citizen to find out answers on issues or concerns. I will work hard for the people in my district and the state. I will make it possible for the average citizen to know where, when and how his taxpaying dollars are spent. I will support and work on programs for senior citizens, veterans, disabled individuals, children, education, workers rights, civil rights, human rights, poverty and many more important issues.

I ask you the people of the 89th district to let me help you, get our state back on the right track.

Sincerely.

Walter M. Johnson

Galena, IL

These Are Not Good Old-Fashioned American Times

Your recent letter as a citizen, urging readers to write to their representatives in Washington and complain about them passing legislation they haven't even read (like H.R. 2454, the Cap and Trade Bill), was good, sound, old-fashioned, patriotic advice. That's how the system's supposed to work.

Unfortunately, these are not good, old-fashioned-American times. Those days are gone, perhaps forever, if more people don't wake up very soon and face reality. Most Congressmen and Senators today not only don't read the bills they pass; they don't read their constituents' mail either. Here's why.

They get too much of it, for one thing. Here's a snippet from an e-mail response I received from Sen. Roland Burriss back on June 23. I had written to him about so-called hate crime legislation. "I want to apologize for the delay in my response," he said. "I receive an average of 10,000 letters and e-mails per week from my Illinois constituents."

That's a lot of correspondence! In fact, that's over 1600 per day. If the Instant Senator is telling the truth, try to imagine how you would handle that much mail. How many assistants would you need just to sort through it quickly enough to see whether it's favorable or critical? How much help would you need keeping a record of the pros and cons? If he were to receive a few death threats each week by snail mail or e-mail, he wouldn't even know about them.

And what would you do with it all when you've gone through it? How would you answer them all, day after day, week after week? Imagine the time spent doing all that. How would you pay all the workers you need just to sort mail? The point is, guess how much time is spent reading your letter!

Incidentally, Sen. Burriss didn't say how many letters he received for or against hate crime legislation. He didn't say anything at all about the subject. Instead, here's what he wanted me and all those who wrote him to know:

"Already, I have worked with my Senate colleagues in Washington to enact legislation that will reinforce the foundations of Illinois. The passage of the stimulus package will create jobs and fix our ailing infrastructure. Along with Senator Joe Lieberman, I have introduced the Enhanced Oversight of State and Local Economic Recovery Act (S. 1064) to provide oversight for activities conducted with money from these stimulus funds. This year we have expanded healthcare coverage for children and pushed for equal pay for working women. The Senate has also taken on special interests to make credit card agreements fair, passed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act (S. 896) to help stem foreclosures, and the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act (S. 454) to streamline defense acquisition and save the American people money.

Along with President Obama, I hope to help fix our broken healthcare system, push to give our children education for their future, and rebuild our weakened economy. We hope to act on comprehensive immigration reform, create green jobs through alternative energy, and support our troops fighting overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan even as we work to bring them home

I hope that you will continue to contact me in the future about other issues of concern to you

It is an honor to serve as your Senator"

In other words, everything's goin' just great here in D.C my friend! Nothin' to worry about. I and my colleagues are busier than bees, workin' with The Man, fixin' everything that needs fixin' the way he thinks it should be fixed. We fixed Wall Street and the banks, didn't we? We fixed GM didn't we? Now we're fixin' to fix the health care system so the gummint can make those difficult decisions about livin' or dyin' instead of you and your doctor. And some people are upset. How do you like that! That's the thanks we get! Still, it's an honor fixin' things like this for you and if you can think of somethin' we haven't fixed yet, just let me know. Joe and I will see that it gets fixed real proper. So long.

No, things have changed so much in recent years, writing letters is no way to deal with such career politicians today. You need to go see your senators in person if you want to make sure they hear you and listen to you and tell you to your face why, for instance, they don't have time to read and debate bills that are 1200 pages long and entirely different than the ones they do make some pretense of debating on the floor.

That's what's happening right now with regard to ObamaCare. More people than you can imagine are hopping mad about the way this and so many other radical laws are being passed without any substantive discussion. And what are they doing about it? They're organizing. All across the country, concerned citizens who don't think politicians are the best people to run the health care industry are joining others who have read horror stories from people in other countries like Canada that have socialized medicine. They're going to their offices or to their town-hall meetings, to tell them they don't want any part of it. As one protestor said, "If it's so good, why doesn't Sen. Kennedy go to Canada for treatment?"

Many politicians say they haven't seen such anger expressed publicly in years. Well, it's about time. Some have even cancelled their meetings. They're afraid to face their constituents in person and field tough questions.

At the same time, of course, the media are working overtime to spin this grassroots opposition to rationed health care into a conspiracy, an "orchestrated" effort funded by Big Business. When liberals speak out, the media call them "patriotic" but when conservatives exercise their free speech rights, the media demean and discredit them, questioning their motives, sincerity and patriotism. Never mind that organizing is just how Mr. Obama got where he is. Organize opposition the Saul Alinski way and keep disrupting the system until it breaks. But now, when citizens organize in opposition to the President's deadly agenda, they're the bad guys just because they're organized!

"Organized mobs across the country are intimidating lawmakers, disrupting events, and silencing discussions about the change our country needs," one Obama campaign aide wrote in an e-mail to supporters in Michigan.

House Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio says the protests reflect the true sentiments of voters. "Democrats are in denial. Instead of acknowledging the widespread anger millions of Americans are feeling this summer toward Democrat-controlled Washington, Washington Democrats are trying to dismiss it as a fabrication," he said. "That isn't likely to sit well with Americans outside of Washington who are struggling and wondering when their elected leaders are going to wake up and change course."

Now I'm not in favor of shouting anyone down, or being rude and uncivil, not even crooked politicians, but I do think it's time more people meet their Senatorsin personin their offices and/or at Town Hall meetings and respectfully ask some hard questions about specific issues and respectfully demand some intelligent answers, explanations and solutions other than a government takeover.

The reason so many meetings have turned tense is because lawmakers won't allow citizens to ask questions. Instead, they get a lecture from an assistant who deliberately mouths platitudes. One such flunky asked protestors this question: do you think insurance companies should be free to drop you after you've paid premiums for years? In fact, that's just what ObamaCare will do, as you will see if you read the bill.

So, by all means, contact your Senators, but do it in person. They can do what they want with your letters, but they can't as easily dismiss ten, 100 or 500 live constituents who have taken off work and driven a long way to talk to them.

It's not as easy as writing a letter. Not at all. In fact, it's a pain in the neck. Very troublesome, tiring and inconvenient. But if you can't do it once or twice a year when it's neededwell, let's just put it this way: it's a good thing our founding fathers didn't need your help to set this country free from a tyrant.

By the way, I've found Rep. Don Manzullo to be an exception to the rule. I've written many letters to him this past year and have always received timely, personal replies addressing the specific concern I had. He's provided background info on legislation, even sending an entire bill, and told me where he stands on an issue and why. No need to worry about him. As you've read here in the PA, he wouldn't wish ObamaCare on anyone. He's well aware of its threats to life and freedom, including abortion coverage, rationing, reduced options, euthanasia for the elderly, etc. "It's worse than China's one-child policy," said one critic. "In the same way that the bill pushes elderly or the sick toward euthanasia, it is a pill that would cause economic suicide," said Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel. "It's a euthanasia bill for America."

If you think these are exaggerations, read some of the quotes from the Bill itselfin the following article, "What ObamaCare will do," singled out by people who, unlike your reps on Capitol Hill, have actually read it.

Sincerely,

Richard O'Connor

Pearl City IL

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

Lou Gehrig's Disease ­ we've all heard of it. We probably know of someone who has it. It's correct name is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ( ALS). The great slugger Lou Gehrig had the disease which propelled it to prominence. It was made somewhat more distinctive by a great book that I recommend reading: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, the story of a man terminally ill with ALS.

Closer to home, the good folks at Woodbine Bend: Roger and Jenny Stoddard, their wonderful family Emily, Sam and Liz and a great staff have for the past eight years made it their passion to annually host an event with the proceeds going to fight and find a cure for debilitating ALS. To date, they have raised $250,000 for the cure. Saturday night, August 1st, I once again had the honor of being their auctioneer. You see, fighting ALS is a cause close to the Stoddards' hearts. Jenny's mother Barbara lost her life's battle to it, so the passion is truly there. My good friend, former Freeport Police Chief Dave Kentner, and his lovely wife, Ginny, handled the auction duties for years and it has been a privilege to work with them.

The day had been a whirlwind. It started with a heartbreaking morning attending the funeral of seventeen year old Chelsea Toot in Elizabeth. I didn't know Chelsea, but her dad, Scott, and I have been friends for years. It is painful for everyone to know of someone in the flower of their life to be taken so tragically and unexpectedly. If there can be such a thing as a beautiful funeral, this was it ­ from Pastor Dan Schenck's gentle words to the comments of friends and associates. We leave the funeral with a sense not of a life lost, but a great legacy of cheerfulness and great attitude left behind.

I rushed to the Ogle County Fair in time to bid on and buy the grand champion chicken of Brittan DeVries from Auctioneer Lenny Bryson and the good hog of Kolton Myrvold from Auctioneer Todd Wills before leaving for Woodbine Bend. I had hoped to be able to stay for cattle and sheep, but time just wouldn't allow. It is so important to me to support our youngsters in 4-H, and I am heartily sorry to have had to miss the second half of the sale.

Shifting gears to member initiative projects made possible through successful passage of our capital jobs and infrastructure bill this summer, I am pleased to let you know that I was able to secure funding for the following local projects: $50,000 each for the Village of Elizabeth, Leaf River, Winnebago, Durand and Dakota; all for infrastructure improvements. I secured $70,000 for Scales Mound's Village Hall, and $50,000 apiece for Shannon and Nora for sewer work. Highland Community College will receive $50,000 for its new Nursing Center and the City of Freeport will receive $100,000 for cameras in high crime areas.

I secured $100,000 in the capital bill for Stephenson and Jo Daviess counties' infrastructure improvements and $50,000 each for projects in Orangeville, Warren, Seward, Winslow, Hanover, Rock City, Lanark, Galena, Davis and Menominee. I was also able to obtain $50,000 each for the Jo Daviess County Historical Society and Museum and the Grant Washburne Interpretive Center for improvements to the Washburne Home.

These projects are often referred to as "pork" and it's unfortunate that over the years some have allocated funds to projects that are less than meritorious. I am proud of each of the projects for which I secured funding and I know they will be most helpful to our local communities.

Our Identity Theft & Scam Forum is set for 11:00 AM on Friday, September 4, 2009 at Highland Community College, West Campus in Elizabeth. Attorney General Lisa Madigan's Office is again helping. It's a great program. Please join us.

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at or e-mail us at . You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.