Missourians Want Better Rural Cell Phone Service for Public Safety and Health
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), October 5, 2008 - More than nine out of ten Missourians feel it is important for health and safety to have reliable and consistent cellular phone coverage in rural areas, according to a recent statewide poll. A majority also oppose Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposals that would diminish support for rural wireless by nearly 50 percent, jeopardizing public safety and economic development in smaller communities.
The opinion poll -- commissioned by Connecting Rural America -- also found that Missourians overwhelmingly support the use of federal Universal Service Fund (USF) dollars to build and expand cell phone and wireless communication technology in rural areas. The USF was created by Congress in 1996 to provide wireless carriers with an incentive to build communications networks in sparsely populated rural areas that would otherwise not support investment.
Most Missourians say access to a wireless phone on a high-quality, reliable network is more important than access to a quality land line broadband Internet connection. More than half would choose a wireless cell phone over a traditional landline if they could only choose one type of service.
"People everywhere depend on their cell phones to meet critical safety and personal needs," said John E. Rooney, President and CEO of U.S. Cellular, a key supporter of the Connecting Rural America campaign. "Cutting federal funding significantly will put the safety of rural citizens and emergency personnel at risk, and for a savings to consumers of just seventeen cents per month."
In rural Missouri, as in other parts of rural America, first responders like firefighters and police officers rely on cell phones to assist in search and rescue operations, domestic violence situations, undercover activities and aid communications in areas where police radio is unsecure or unavailable. Additionally, nearly 300,000 emergency 9-1-1 calls are placed via cell phones every day nationwide.
"We need reliable wireless service to protect the health and security of our citizens and to help public safety officials do their jobs," said Steve Paulsell, Chief of the Boone County Fire Protection District. "Fortunately, we have pretty good service here in Boone County, thanks in part to support from the Universal Service Fund. But we know it gets pretty spotty in other parts of Missouri, and that can be a problem in an emergency."
Connecting Rural America opposed the FCC's decision to cap USF support for wireless in March, 2008 -- a move that cost Missouri consumers more than $3.9 million per year in USF funding. The FCC is now considering regulatory changes that could cut USF support for wireless by up to 40 percent in Missouri, costing the state approximately $7 million per year and jeopardizing as many as half of the new cell phone towers planned for rural Missouri. FCC action on the proposals could come at any time.
The poll was conducted by Fako & Associates of Lisle, Illinois on July 10 - 14, 2008. The survey was conducted by telephone among a random sample of 604 adult (age 18+) residents of the State of Missouri, using random digit dialing (RDD) methodology. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.00%.
Gov. Blunt Inks Agreement with ICE to Combat Illegal Immigration
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), October 5, 2008 - Gov. Matt Blunt met with Anne Petera, Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Programs, U.S. Department of Homeland of Security, to deliver a Memorandum of Agreement he signed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that creates the Gateway Taskforce to crack down on illegal immigration in Missouri, in particular, unscrupulous employers who actively engage in the illegal employment of undocumented workers in Missouri.
"People from all over the globe come to our great nation to share our freedoms, and Missourians embrace the contributions that lawful immigration makes to our society," Gov. Blunt said. "Missourians do not condone lawbreaking, and that is why my administration will continue to take important, proactive steps to protect our state from unlawful immigration."
Gov. Blunt signed a Memorandum of Agreement with ICE, the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) and the Missouri Department of Public Safety that creates the Gateway Taskforce. This taskforce is a partnership between ICE and the state of Missouri to more closely work together to fight the crimes and problems associated with illegal immigration. The Task Force will focus on illegal immigration and closely associated crimes like: harboring illegal immigrants, transporting illegal immigrants, forced labor, human trafficking, identity theft, document fraud, and bulk cash smuggling.
The Gateway Taskforce will include ICE agents and specially trained members of the Highway Patrol. Missouri Highway Patrol Troopers will work out of local ICE offices in Kansas City, Springfield and St. Louis. All 18 of the ICE-trained troopers will begin working one week per quarter in these ICE offices. The taskforce will utilize a co-located, integrated, collaborative approach to information sharing and operational efficiency that will better ensure the effective and efficient use of resources, expertise, and technologies.
Nixon Shuts Down Fraudulent St. Louis Home Remodeling Business
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), October 5, 2008 - The owner of a St. Louis home repair and remodeling business who was paid by consumers for jobs he either failed to complete or that featured shoddy workmanship is permanently barred from the home repair business in Missouri and must pay $85,266 in consumer restitution under a consent judgment obtained by Attorney General Jay Nixon. The Attorney General's consent judgment against Timothy Burke of St. Louis, owner of J.T. Contracting, was filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court.
Nixon sued Burke in August after consumers filed complaints with his office regarding the defendants' business practices, going as far back as 2004. The Attorney General said that Burke made consumers sign contracts with him to perform various home construction projects such as additions, general remodeling and repair work, and required the consumers to make down payments for the jobs.
In most cases, Burke failed to complete the work, and in at least one instance failed to even begin work on a project. Some consumers who filed complaints alleged that the work that Burke did complete was substandard and that they had to have the work redone at an additional cost due to its shoddy nature.
Consumers who filed complaints with the Attorney General's Office also stated that they did not receive refunds from the defendants for the unfinished work.
Central Business District and Post Office Square Night to Showcase Downtown Living Opportunities
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), October 5, 2008 - Once again, the lights will shine brightly in downtown St. Louis around the Post Office Square, October 16, from 5:00 p.m. - 10:0 p.m., for a special night showcasing living opportunities. Registration location: English Living, 1520 Washington Ave. Location - Map (Event map & information bag provided.) Parking: Surface parking lot east of English Living / Ely Walker building, enter off Washington Ave. The tour is free and open to the public.
Featured Residential Properties:
* Blu CitySpaces, 210 N. 17th St. - Meet the Blu Street Team. (for sale)
* Bogen, 1209 Washington Ave. (for sale)
* Ely Walker Lofts, 1520 Washington Ave. (rental)
* Lofts at City Museum, 701 N. 15th St. (for sale)
* Roberts Galerie (314-256-4712), 1224 Washington Ave. (rental)
* Ventana, 1635 Washington Ave. (for sale)
Featured Businesses with Special Night Offers:
* B&T Pizza, 1131 Washington Ave.
* Beverly's Hill, 1309 Washington Ave.
* Blue Boat Designs, 1607 Washington Ave. - Raffle Gift Certificates
* Boxers, 1305 Washington Ave.
* Charm Boutique, 605 N. 13th St. - 20% OFF entire store
* I Am Sneaky, 1330 Washington Ave.
* Flannery's Pub, 1320 Washington Ave.
* Gelateria St. Louis, 1327 Washington Ave. - 25% OFF your gelato purchase
* Lee J Fashions, 1000 Washington Ave. - 10% OFF first item
* Philip Slein Gallery, 1319 Washington Ave.
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