Cleveland Advocate (Cleveland, Tex.), Vol. 73, No. 34, Ed. 1 Friday, August 24, 1990 Page: 5 of 33
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CLEVELAND ADVOCATE, Friday, August 24.1990, Page 5A
Don’t be fooled by junk mail, information available free
CLEVELAND — Many people
have reported that they have re-
ceived solicitations in the mail
that offer to do many things —
provide information about the
Social Security death benefit, ob-
tain a Social Security number for
an infant, help a new bride
[change her name in Social
[Security records, to name a few,
according to Doris Lockey, Social
Security Manager of the Conroe
office.
*• M °f them have on thing in
[common — they all ask money to
perform the same services pro-
vided free by Social Security.
Please read these solicitations
very carefully and if you have any
questions about them, call the
Social Security office. Usually,
they can give you the information
you need over the telephone, and
if won’t cost you anything.
Use their toll-free telephone
number 1-800-2345-SSA (1-800-
234-5772). You can get the best
service if you call between 7 and
9 a.m. or 5 and 7 p.m.
If you use one of these firms to
get a Social Security number for
your child or to change your
name in the records, the best
thing that could happen is that the
process will be delayed. At the
worst, you could lose your money
and have nothing in return.
These firms cannot get a num-
ber for you. All they do is send
you an application for a Social
Security number card, tell you to
fill it out, and mail it to the Social
Security office serving you,
Lockey said. You can do this
yourself and save money by just
,
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(embers of the Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department battle a blaze which destroyed the
Arnold Acres home of Homer and Becky Williams Monday evening. The fire is believed to
have started in a clothes dryer. (Photo by JERREL FERGUSON)
• Fire season is catching on fast
Continued from Page 1A
this (Wednesday) just runs off
/ay. It doesn't soak in. This isn’t
the kind (of rain) that really cuts
down on fire hazards.”
Wheeler says that many times
IftEiwing scattered storms like the
ones experienced in the area of
late, the numbers of fires actually
go up.
“When it's dry like it's been
lately, a lot of people take extra
precaution when it involves burn-
ing,” he said. “But even people who
are conscious of the problem seem
to get over confident after it rains.”
nfarkington Fire Chief Nolan
Everitt agrees. The way it is out
there right now, it wouldn't take
much to set the woods and fields on
fire,” Everitt said. “It (the recent rain)
helps to a degree but really you
need four or five days of a slow,
even rain to make a big difference.”
Everitt, who has fought wild fires
on the Prairie for a number of years,
knows how much damage a simple
grass fire' can do. “Out here
(Tarkington Prairie), the wind can
play havoc with a grass fire* he
says. “When it's dry and the wind
kicks up, that fire can spread so
quick you just don't know what hap-
pened. When it does spread, trees,
cars, houses, everything in its path
is in danger.”
Everitt advises people not to set
any fires unless the blazes can be
carefully supervised. “And don’t
burn at all if the wind is blowing,” he
said.
Wheeler said, “If you must burn,
burn inside a drum or pit with a
screen covering. Even then be extra
cautious.”
Both fire chiefs pointed out that a
person starting a fire is responsible
for what it does. Should a blaze,
started by you on your own prop-
erty, spread to other people's prop-
erty, you are responsible for any
damage caused.
Not only are you responsible for
the monetary losses but you are
criminal liable as well. New laws
provide penalties for the burning of
woods. These statutes are as stiff
as those dealing with the burning of
buildings.
Montgomery County suffered a
fire Monday which burned more
than 200 acres near the Texaba
subdivision north of FM 1484.
Cleveland was among the many fire
departments which responded to
the inferno. Authorities suspect ar-
son in the case.
On the positive side, both the
Cleveland and Tarkington fire de-
partments are in better shape finan-
cially to fight fires. Both men said
Liberty County’s new method of
paying departments for each job
they do has meant more money
with which to operate.
At this point they just wish they
weren't having to operate quite so
much.
• Report says county on rebound
Cjtj^tinued from Page 1A
given credit for much of the new surge in growth. Also
considered a strong asset is the Cleveland area's
“central location” on US 59 between Houston and Lake
Livingston.
Lumber and wood products firms comprise over 40
percent of this area's manufacturing base, according to
the report. Manufacturing employment in the county
has remained near the 2,000 mark for the past two
years. Union Tank Car and Kirby Forest Industries
account for approximately 600 of that number.
The employment picture in Cleveland has changed
in the past two years, the reports shows. Trade and
services are “fast-becoming” a dominate feature of the
Cleveland area's economy. According to the report,
trade and service related jobs represent almost half of
the nonfarm jobs in this area. Services posted a 22.7
percent increase in employment over the past year.
All unemployment has decreased dramatically by
9.9 points. At it worse in 1986 unemployment reached
10k percent to a low this year of 6.3 percent.
Efnployment was up 1.2 percent in 1989 alone.
City sales tax allocations were up in Cleveland by
11.2 percent, $586,600 in 1988 to $652,600 in 1989.
Cleveland sales tax is up 44.8 percent in the first six
months of 1990, the report shows.
Among the items highlighted by the report are: the
Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison in Dayton;
a revitalized pipe and tube manufacturer; the foreign
trade zone; the privately operated prison in Cleveland;
abundant supply of timber for wood product manufac-
turer; Cleveland's medical center; and a railroad tank
car operation.
1991 tax adopted by Cleveland
Continued from Page 1A
[for petroleum products to
[Whitener's Gulf. Whitener's bid was
76 cents per gallon for regular
gasoline and 75 cents per gallon for
diesel.
In other business, trustees ap-
proved bills and payroll, a media '
Contract with Region IV Education
Service Center and the subscription
to the Region IV InterAct instruc-
tional television network. The board
also approved the CISD appraisers
for 1990-91 and the appraisal cal-
endar, and voted approval for KLEV
Radio to broadcast varsity football,
basketball and baseball games.
Following an executive session,
trustees approved the employment
of six persons at Southside Ele-
mentary, two at Northside Interme-
diate, two at the junior high and
seven at the high school.
They also voted to accept the
resignations of Shelby Cole,
Sylvester Henry, Ronnie Millard,
Denise Derrig, Sharon Laxton,
Roberta Searcy and Allison Mc-
Cain.
calling the Conroe office. You will
get your number card about two
weeks after you send your app-
lication and supporting evidence.
“The aim of those firms who
want to give you “free” infor-
mation about the Social Security
death benefit is to sell you in-
surance, or perhaps to build a list
of prospects they can sell to an
insurance company,” Lockey
said. “So unless you really want
and need additional insurance,
just toss this junk mail in your
wastebasket. You can get any in-
formation you want about Social
Security benefits by just calling
us.”
Some other firms offer to get
you a free “Personal Earnings
and Benefit Estimate Statement”
if only you buy their product, a
book or newsletter for example.
You can get your own free
“Personal Earnings and Benefit
Estimate Statement” by just cal-
ling Social Security and asking.
There is no other obligation.
There are a variety of publications
that explain all aspects of Social
Security. They are free for the
asking.
“We are concerned that you
may needlessly pay for services
that the Social Security Administ-
ration provides free, and that
these businesses promote their
services by fostering a false imp-
pression that either Social
Security will not provide the ser-
vices or it is difficult for the public
to obtain them,” Lockey stated.
“Remember, our services are
free. So, just toss those direct
mail solicitations in the trash.”
Vehicle purchase bids awarded
Continued from Page 1A
on the Precinct 3 purchase. Martin
submitted a bid of $13,302.76,
Burnham bid $13,215.75, B.J. Ford
bid $13,250.75 and Knapp bid
$12,745. Precinct 3 Commissioner
Melvin Hunt recommended the bid
be awarded to Marlin. Commission-
ers voted approval of Hunt's rec-
ommendation.
Except for B.J. Ford, the same
companies submitted bids on the
purchase of a van for the indigent
care program. Martin's bid was for
$19,086.87. Burnham bid $17,900
and Knapp bid $20,543. Commis-
sioners voted to award the bid to
Burnham Chevrolet.
Commissioners also considered
proposals on copiers for the court-
house. The proposals were sub-
mitted several weeks ago and were
being studied by Assistant County
Attorney and Precinct 4 Commis-
sioner Bob Martin.
During Monday's meeting they
recommended the court accept the
proposal from Savin Copiers for a
three-year contract with payments
of $1,700 per month. The proposal
was for 10 new copiers and five re-
conditioned units. Commissioners
approved the recommendation.
In another contract matter, the
court considered renewing the
county's agreement with AT&T for
the lease of telephone equipment.
Commissioners voted to renew the
agreement with payments of $1,810
per month for 24 months.
Liberty County Sheriff O.J. Sher-
iff addressed the court, requesting
approval to apply for two traffic
safety grants. Stewart said he
would like to apply for a tracer grant
and a DWI step grant.
He said they applied for them
last year, but did not receive either.
Stewart said they will try to get at
least on of the grants this year.
Commissioners approved the re-
quest.
In other business, commis-
sioners approved public utility in-
stallations, voted to establish a
supplemental death benefits fund
through the Texas County and Dis-
trict Retirement System and ap-
proved out-of-county seminars. The
court also approved the payment of
bills totalling $2,995.71, including a
$1,625 payment to the Hull-Daisetta
Fire Department.
Single Friends Fellowship
to meet on first Tuesday
CLEVELAND — The Single
Friends Fellowship met at Jo
Anna’s Restaurant Aug. 7 for the
monthly business meeting.
There were 18 present and ac-
tivities were planned for the
month of August.
Single Friends Fellowship is an
effort for singles to meet other
singles. The fellowship is not a
dating service or club, has no
■Y=~
membership fees, and all ex-
penses are paid by dutch treat or
by donations. All ages are wel-
come.
The first Tuesday of each
month will be the business
meeting and activity planning.
They meet at Jo Anna’s Res-
taurant at 6 p.m. It is a Dutch
treat meal and meeting. Anyone
interested, please call (713)592-
3071.
PLmmv
BE A RED CROSS
VOLUNTEER
American
Red Cross
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
NOTICE OF
VOTE
ON TAX RATE
The City of Cleveland conducted a
public hearing on a proposal to increase
your property taxes by 4.39% percent on
August 23. 1990 at 7:00 P.M.
The City Council is scheduled to vote
on the tax rate at a
held on August 28.
203 E. Boothe St. in the Council
public meeting to be
990 at 7:00 P.M. at
Chambers at City Hall
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Lowe, R. T. Cleveland Advocate (Cleveland, Tex.), Vol. 73, No. 34, Ed. 1 Friday, August 24, 1990, newspaper, August 24, 1990; Cleveland, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth871460/m1/5/: accessed June 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Austin Memorial Library.