Published: March 20, 2009 02:26 pm      

In Your View — 03/22/09

State regulators should do jobs

Thousands of senior and pre-retirees in Kentucky who bought long-term care insurance years ago from Life Investors Insurance Company of America, now called TransAmerica, are seeing their payments double over a six-year period. I know most insurance companies are responsible and a reasonable increase could be justified.

I don’t like when it happens, but I do understand it can happen. This company has received three increases in six years which doubles the cost.

I thought the state insurance regulators were supposed to protect the people from such practices by screening requests for rate increases. It is pretty clear, however, that the Kentucky Department of Insurance doesn’t see it that way. It has never met an increase it didn't like.

TransAmerica increases are unjustified when compared to the rest of the insurance industry because the other ones have only had one modest increase.

Why won’t the insurance commissioner and the governor do what they’re supposed to do?

Recently, state and federal officials have joined with financial planners in encouraging those approaching retirement to protect themselves from the ravages of long-term care and the need to buy insurance. Those who had the foresight to purchase the insurance need the governor and state insurance regulators to stand up to the insurance companies that are attempting to rip off seniors.

Do your jobs instead of helping the bad apples in the insurance company make more money at the expense of financially strapped retirees. If you don’t, Kentucky taxpayers will eventually be paying for seniors forced into poverty after dropping their insurance.

Sharon Stambaugh, President, Greenup County Retired Teachers Association



Boxes of trash left in her yard

I’m a victim of a drive-by trash dump and warn my neighbors of this possible violation to their property. It appears some believe they have the right to dump their trash off in our yards.

While they did ask permission from my next door neighbor to throw some extra trash away a couple of weeks ago, the privilege was greatly abused and they were advised to use their own service of collection in the future.

However, two cars pulled up in front of my house Thursday and two women began setting out boxes of trash in my yard. Even after being told this was private property and they did not have my permission to leave trash here for collection, they did it anyway with a perverse sense of entitlement.

The women who felt my yard was their dumping ground should know that the city of Ashland provides collection weekly, and if there is a problem with their collection, please call (606) 327-2040 or (606) 327-2049. Or, heaven forbid, if you are disposing of something illegal, I want no part of it!

Speaking on behalf of my neighbors and myself, call the sanitation department at the above numbers provided rather than burdening anyone else on Hilton Court with your trash.

Leslie Stewart, Ashland



Non-dealers can do warranty work

It’s a common misconception that consumers must return to the new car dealership for their vehicles maintenance and repair to protect the warranty. In fact, there is a law that protects consumers’ right to have maintenance and repair done by their local independent repair shop without affecting the warranty.

Consumers are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the general principles of the Federal Trade Commission, which prohibit a manufacturer from voiding the vehicle warranty because service was done by a non-dealer.

When using an independent repair shop, it is important to keep records and receipts for all maintenance that is performed on the vehicle and adhering to scheduled maintenance guidelines. That way, if a warranty claim arises, these records will provide proof that maintenance has been done in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations and requirements.

Rich White, Executive Director, Car Care Council



Boyd class of 1989 needs addresses

The Boyd County High School class of 1989 is in the process of planning its 20-year reunion, slated for Sept. 4-6. We still are in need of current addresses for many classmates.

If you aren’t on Facebook or haven’t heard from us by e-mail and are a member of the class of 1989, please send your personal contact information to thowell529@hotmail.com or call (606) 232-1061. Or if you have addresses for other classmates, please send us that information.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Tara King Howell, Melissa Moore Potter and Charles E. Nolan, Reunion committee



Social workers have tough jobs

March is National Professional Social Work Month. The role of a social worker can often be difficult. Many hours are spent either assisting families with services or protecting the welfare of a child.

There are social workers who work in the school system, health care agencies, therapeutic case workers, and other community providers that provide services. Special praise is necessary to all social workers who go out daily and represent their practice to help those in need.

Social workers are often in high demand and sometimes give up their own time to help others in need. They do this with little recognition. Particular thanks go to the social workers at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, who work hard at what they do and are so dedicated to their jobs.

Cathy Phillips, Lisa Brammer and Robin Mautz, Boyd County Protection and Permanency



AHS 1955 class needs addresses

The Ashland High School graduating class of 1954 is planning its 55-year class reunion on October 9 and 10.

We need help in locating some of our classmates: Annette Pemberton Arnette, John Blair, Arlene Black Brock, Barbara Dummitt Brown, Joyce Owen Law, Mable Lawson, Gene Lindsay, Thomas Long, Jean Waddell Markel, Robert McGuire, Willa M. Goble Miller, Margaret McClelland Morgan, Joyce Muncy, Mary Sexton Murphy, Mike R. Myers, Ruth Owens, Barbara Leach Rogers, John Rozentals, Jack Smith, David Tucker and Don Hand.

If you have information to help us locate any of these classmates, please call Janice Shanks at (606) 324-8233 or Doris Stewart at (606) 324-0158.

Carolyn Runyan, Reunion committee, AHS class of 1954