The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 62, Ed. 1 Tuesday, March 24, 1998 Page: 5 of 6
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Page 5 The Harper Herald March 24, 1998
CAPITOL
COMMENT
U.S. SENATOR
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
BATTLEFRONTS IN THE WAR ON DRUGS
f | l he north Dallas community of Plano is the kind of place in which many
families aspire to live: green and attractive, upscale, with good schools
-A. and lots of public-spirited citizens working to make it even better. At
first glance, this is the last spot in America youfd think would have a drug
problem.
But in 1997 eight Plano youngsters lost their lives to heroin. An
epidemic of drug use has spilled from the inner city into suburban and rural
Enclaves once thought immune.
Having reached the saturation point of death and destruction in urban
neighborhoods, drug traffickers are targeting kids living in suburbs all over
the country. Make no mistake. They are marketing their deadly commodities
on a massive scale. The Justice Department says the amount of heroin seized
from South America has doubled in the past four years.
One strategy the federal government is using to fight the drug plague is
the so-called HIDTA. No, weire not talking about an endangered desert
critter. The acronym refers to a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
designation. The Office of National Drug Control Policy sets up HIDTAs to
I coordinate anti-drug law enforcement efforts in designated areas that have
| severe or unusual drug trafficking problems. The idea is to tailor anti-drug
I efforts to local conditions.
f ‘ Texas has three such designated areas already, the Houston HIDTA, the
West Texas HIDTA and the South Texas HIDTA (which in turn are part of
| the Southwest Border HIDTA). These have become the centerpiece of drug
law enforcment in our state.
We are working on the designation of a third HIDTA, to take in the
| Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. (As you might imagine, a majority of the
people in Plano favor this proposal.) And East Texas is in preparing a proposal
for the designation, as well.
HIDTAs work by pooling both resources and information. One early
success was the dismantling of one segment of the Amado Carrillo-Fuentes
iportrunneri gang, which is known to have brought 4,000 loads of drugs
across the border in 1994 and 1995. Their favorite method of operation is to
simply run their drug-laden vehicles through the ports-of-entry in El Paso and
r Ysleta without stopping — for Customs agents, pedestrians, or anyone else.
The near elimination of this practice was accomplished by a Southwest
Border HIDTA task force led by the U.S. Customs Service.
The Houston HIDTA, which was created in 1990, focused on money-
laundering. It has been successful in interrupting the smooth flow of drugs
north and money south, out of the country. Because of Houstonfs proximity
to Mexico, its large illegal population, international trade status and transpor-
tation infrastructure, by the early 1990s the city had become a distribution
focal point for drugs — and dnig money.
The Houston HIDTAis comprehensive approach has had a major impact
on the money laundering business. In 1990, more than 100 igiroi houses
(money wiring businesses) operated in the area. They processed more than
$450 million in wire transfers, a substantial portion of which were going to
rColumbia. After a one-two punch of a HIDTA crackdown and new, stricter
regulation of the industry, the number of igiroi houses shrank to eight and the
amount of money transferred annually diminished to less than $10 million.
Illegal drugs continue to take a frightening toll on our- society. And
Texas, through which more than three-quarters of the drugs'coming-mto the
country pass,-is horribly vulnerable. The battle lines in the drug’war are being
drawn across our state. The casualties are numerous: 20,000 Americans died
of drugs or drug-related violence last year. We must not lose the will to fight
this war to victory.
Saving Money on
Your Insurance
TEXAS COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE
“Hail’Resistant Roofs Can Cut Homeowners Premiums'
■Vhere’s a new way to cut your
I homeowners insurance costs.
If you’re building a house or
replacing a roof, think about
installing a new roof that meets
Underwriters Laboratories stan-
dards for resisting hail damage.
Insurance companies are required
to give homeowners premium dis-
counts for approved hail-resistant
roofs installed on or after February
17,1998. How much depends on
the kind of roof you install and the
part of Texas where you live.
Texas is the first state to require
discounts for hail-resistant roofs.
Underwriters Laboratories tests
roof coverings and divides those
that meet its standards into four
classes, depending on how much
impact they can take. Class 4 is
the toughest, Class 1 the least
tough among those passing the
test.
Class 4 roofs in areas where hail
causes most of the homeowners
rlaims get the biggest discounts.
For example, rate-regulated insur-
ers must give discounts ranging
from 28 percent to 35 percent for
Class 4 roofs in nearly all of West
Texas. Class 1 roofs in that same
area get discounts ranging from 7
percent to 9 percent.
“Lloyds” insurers and reciprocal
exchanges, which are exempt by
law from rate regulation, also must
give discounts for hail-resistant
roofs. The difference is they get to
decide the amount of the dis-
counts for themselves.
Only hail-resistant non-metal roofs
installed on or after February 17,
1998, automatically get discounts.
However, I’m encouraging insur-
ance companies voluntarily to
offer the discounts for roofs
installed before that date. A vol-
untary discount may be any per-
centage between the highest and
lowest discount prescribed for a
specific class of roof in a particular
area.
The Texas Department of
Insurance (TDD is working toward
making discounts available for
metal roofs by allowing the exclu-
sion — with the policyholder’s
consent — of claims for cosmetic
damage. The proposal is set for
hearing on April 1,1998.
Hail-resistant roofs cost more than
ordinary composition shingle
roofs. But in many cases, your
insurance savings, over time, will
offset the additional cost of the
roof.
I expect to see manufacturers
aggressively offer hail-resistant
roof coverings in Texas at compet-
itive prices.
It’s important to be sure that a roof
actually meets the Underwriters
Laboratories standard. The num-
ber of eligible roof coverings con-
tinues to grow. You can get the
latest list from the TDI’s web site,
www.tdi.state.tx.us or by calling
our toll-free consumer help line,
1-800-252-3439.
Be sure that the roofing contractor
gives you a completed form, called
“Roofing Installation Information
and Certification for Reduction in
Residential Insurance Premiums.”
You’ll need it to get your discount.
Discounts also are available on
“dwelling extended coverage”
insurance bought by people who
own rent houses and by property
owners who want less expensive
coverage than the usual home-
owners policy provides.
So, when the time comes to think
about installing a roof, check with
your insurance company or agent
about discounts in your area, ask
local roofers about prices for dis-
count-eligible roofs and then put
the pencil to the numbers. You
could come out with big savings. ★
fife r TexasSiilh
insurance *
Auto, Homeowners, and Mobile Homes
/Ire you paying too much - check your rates
Come by for a free quote <£ gift.
Sidney Baker South
t windmill in front of Riverhills Mall)
257-1280
GILLESPIE COUNTY
TREASURER
JEANIE BEL CRENWELGE IS RETIRING!
LAURA LUNDQUISTcurrent
Assistant to the County Treasurer
and Candidate for Election con-
gratulates Jeanie Bel for her 35
years of dedicated service to
Gillespie County and for serving
as Gillespie County Treasurer
since January, 1987.
JEANIE BEL CRENWELGE SAYS,
“VOTE LAURA LUNDQUIST FOR
GILLESPIE COUNTY TREASURER...
BY FAR THE MOST QUALIFIED
CANDIDATE
DIDATE TO HAVE WORKED IN THE
COUNTY TREASURER’S OFFICE!"
YOUR VOTE WILL COUNT!!
VOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RUN-OFF
FOR
GILLESPIE COUNTY.
TREASURER!
Pd. Pol. Adv. by Laura Lundquist for Co. Treas.
Laura Lundquist, Treas., 205 E. Morse, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
New Citizens Group Demands Accountability
For Tobacco Settlement Fees and Expenses
Group Launches Public Education Campaign And Asks
All Texans To Contact Their Elected Officials
Texans for Reasonable Legal Fees (TRLF), a newly created
citizens advocacy group, demanded an accounting today of the
$2.3 billion demanded in legal fees and the $40 million in claimed
expenses associated with the Texas Tobacco Settlement.
John Butler, head of TRLF, in announcing a statewide
educational mail piece, explained that TRLF is pushing to have
all of the settlement, up to $17.6 billion, paid to the proper entity
-- the State of Texas. The Legislature can then pay the outside
lawyers a reasonable legal fee by appropriation as required by
law. But, this can be done only after all time and expense
records have been submitted for public inspection and review,
and all padding and waste have been pruned out.
"It is inaccurate for anyone to suggest that the settlement is in
jeopardy due to the debate over the fees," Butler said. "The
tobacco companies restated to U.S. Districit Judge David Folsom
in Texarkana on Monday that they don't care about the outcome
of the fight over the legal fees."
Governor Bush has specifically requested Attorney General Dan
Morales separate the fee issue from the settlement, which should
be done immediately.
"The $2.3 billion in legal fees is extremely excessive considering
that the case never reached the court room," Butler said. To put,
these fees in perspective, Butler pointed out that $2.3 billion is
enough to pay the yearly salary of 75,000 Texas teachers or!
police officers for the next 10 years.
"When Texans know the facts, they agree overwhelmingly with
our position," Butler said. "In one poll, 94 percent of those asked
said the lawyers should document their expenses. In another
statewide poll, 71 percent believe the fees are too high. What we
want to do is make sure everyone has the facts and that they take
action by contacting their elected officials and letting rhem know
that General Morales doesn't have the right to give away $2.3
billion of state money."
"This case illustrates a bigger problem. No one state official;
should be able to commit $2.3 bfltton of state money.," added
Butler.
Initial members of TRLF include the Texas Association of
Business & Chambers of Commerce, Texas Citizens for a Sound
Economy and Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
GILLESPIE
COUNTY
CRIME
STOPPERS
P. O. BOX 764
FREDERICKSBURG
TEXAS
78624
$1,000 REWARD
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY
LAURA LUNDQUIST, assistant treasurer of j
AND THE ONLY CAN-
endorsement for Gillespie County Treasurer.
( rime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and
charges filed on anyone who committed these offenses or any other crime.
j BU RGLARY AT - FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL ON FEBRUARY
13. 1998. TWO PANASONIC VCR’S, AND CASH WAS TAKEN.
BURGLARY AT - WUNDERLICH READY MIX ON FEBRUARY 14, 1998.
A ( RAFTSMAN FOOL BOX, ASSORTED POOLS, RED PORTABLE
\\ ELDER AND A CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE WAS TAKEN.
BURGLARY AT - PALACE THEATER ON FEBRUARY 27, 1998. CASH
WAS TAKEN FROM THE REGISTER, BANK BAG^ANO A BOX.
THEFT AT - CRENWELGE MOTOR SALES ON FEBRUARY 19,1998. A
1985 JEEP CHEROKEE WAS TAKEN AND LATER RECOVERED
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CRIME IS NEEDED
*********************************
ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION ABOUT A CRIME SHOULD
CALL CRIME STOPPERS AT 997-TIPS (8477)
VISIT OUR INTERNET WEB SH E AT
www. me. ni:t/( wmestopper
Most Christians observe Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the first day of
spring in the Northern Hemisphere. In Eastern Orthodox churches, the celebration may take place later.
The woodcock and many other birds have such a strong sense of touch they can locate worms below
the surface of the ground with the tips of their beaks.
An adult peacock’s train con- When bak,ng laYer cake, place the pans in the middle of the oven
tains 150 feathers. at least an incb from the edge and not touching each other.
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Bishop, Karen. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 62, Ed. 1 Tuesday, March 24, 1998, newspaper, March 24, 1998; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth844442/m1/5/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Harper Library.