By Staff
The following letter was sent to Morgan County cattle producers.
Cattle program up for vote
Editor,
We are sending out this notice to inform you of an upcoming vote that could impact our future in the cattle market. Mark your calendars now. Nov. 18.
This date has been set aside for a state referendum to decide whether the state cattle producers are willing to re-activate the state beef checkoff program at an assessment of 50 cents per head.
This is not a new program. Since 1962 the state has had a self-help assessment program. This program was set aside in 1986 when the national checkoff program began. If the majority of the voters vote yes the sate program will be re-activated.
Any one citizen of Morgan County that owns cattle will be allowed to vote. Each voter must sign a form certifying that they own cattle before they will be given a ballot.
The voting will take place at two locations. One will be the AG Extension office on Hwy.36 in Hartselle and the other will be the Piggly Wiggly store in Somerville at the four way stop.
The money will be earmarked for the promotion and education of beef. Cattle Producers will work together along with Auburn University and State Cattlemen personnel to decide how this money can best be spent to promote our industry. Producers and the Alabama Cattlemen Association will establish a budget each year. Fighting negative advertising against our industry or educating our youth on the importance of maintaining a strong market for the beef industry will be issues that you the producer will help decide.
This will not be a mandatory program. If you decide that you do not wish to participate in this program, there will be a provision that will allow for any producer to request a refund of the collected check-off dollars. This will be a 50 cents per head collected when cattle are sold.
If the Supreme Court rules against the national Check-off program there will not be any research or education to promote beef. If the state check-off program passes it will go into effect the first quarter of 2004. There will be a state referendum every five years to allow the cattle producers to re-evaluate this program and decide if it has been beneficial.
We urge you to vote. Your opinion is important. If you do not understand this program there are articles in the October and November issues of the Alabama Cattlemen Magazine.
Greg Dobbs
President Morgan County Cattlemen
Hartselle needs better cable service
I am like everybody else in Hartselle when I say that I wish we would get another cable company of some kind here. My story is this: On Wednesday night when I arrived home from work, my husband said that our cable was off. I called 773-6537 and it had been changed to an 800 number. I called it and after a series of different prompts I finally reached a representative. The lady got very hateful with me and I told me it had been disconnected because of $20 not being paid. Now they really disconnected my cable over $20 and didn't even leave a note to tell me this.
I stated to the lady that I worked at Charter over a year ago and that I worked there for 3 years and knew the procedures. She got ugly with me so I hung up the phone. My phone rang and I picked it up and the person hung up on me. I dialed *69 and the number came up as Charter in Birmingham. I believe this is not a way to do business especially knowing that after working at Charter in Hartselle, you are to never to be rude to a customer, which is what I am now, a paying customer. My point is that we really need to do something to get another cable company in Hartselle and get Charter out. We really need a place here to pay our bills or a phone number to talk to someone here. Let's all figure out something to do about this. I know that Hartselle will do something.
Michelle Maples
Hartselle
Writer thanks community for help
Editor,
I can not begin to write in words the humbleness I have felt in my heart toward all of you during my recent illness and recovery.
Thank you does not seem to be enough for all of your thoughts, your phone calls, cards, food, and your prayers, but most of all for your patience, understanding and your very special friendship.
I want to say a very special thank you to Beth, Leigh Ann and Annette for keeping the barbershop up and going strong, and to all of my customers for trusting in them while I have been away.
I am so blessed with family and friends who surround me with so much love. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
I will always remember the kindness you've shown to me and my family, and I look forward to seeing you at the barbershop again.
Van Stisher
Van's Barbershop
Hartselle