Today's Feature
Public Safety Meeting.

The City Council Public Safety Committee will meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Fire Department. Items on the agenda include the discussion of a proposed Miniature Bike ordinance.

In August Sergeant Doug Dickey gave a preliminary discussion of the tiny motorcycles. The concerns of the committee and Police included the lack of visibility from full-sized vehicles. Other problems included public misconceptions about license requirements. The committee viewed a sample ordinance from St. Peters, MO and agreed to discuss the matter further.

Other items on the agenda for this meeting include the discussion of parking in yards. Over the past few months several citizens have come before the committee to voice grievances about abandoned cars parked in neighboring yards. Police Chief Dennis Veach has looked into the complaints. Veach has also informed all citizen participants of the current code which allows one unlicensed car to be parked for an indefinite amount of time. Under the same code cars with licenses are unrestricted in number but are expected to be operational.

Stench Report:
Friday,
10/14/05

No Stench

There are still those who think that the radio is the most interestin’ information around.

Many would still bring the printed word in as the most reliable. There is a feelin’ that if ya put it on paper, it’s more likely ta be accurate.

Most folks these days ignore the old fashioned news media, talkin’ ta other folks. Down at the post office for instance, or the Police Station, maybe even at the coffee shop. That’s where the real news is bein’ talked about. That’s the real "home town" news station.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin.

Appliance Rebates

Q: I’m a little confused. I purchased an appliance at a nearby home-improvement store, specifically because a mail-in rebate was offered. So I mailed in the rebate form and six weeks later, instead of a rebate check, I got a letter saying I didn’t qualify for a rebate! How can I get that rebate money? Is the store where I bought the appliance responsible for paying it? — Gregory J., via e-mail

A: Mail-in rebates are a good incentive when purchasing expensive items like appliances, but it’s important to read the fine print to make sure you really qualify for them. Sometimes that’s tough to do in the store — buyers are often in a hurry, we sometimes forget our glasses (I always do) or the kids are tugging on our shirttails. So as soon as you get home, it’s very important to review the purchase, read the rebate form thoroughly and check the receipt.

If the rebate requirements don’t seem to match the item you bought, or you have questions, call the number listed on the rebate form. A toll-free number directly to the company responsible for issuing the rebate (usually the manufacturer) will yield the fastest answers. You’ll be able to make sure you qualify for the rebate, and if you don’t, you can return the item to the store right away and get your money back (or exchange it for the item that does qualify).

Because you’ve already applied for a rebate and were turned down, your next step is to contact the company that issues the rebate. You can call the number listed on the rebate form (if you no longer have a copy, ask the store for one) and get an explanation.

Unfortunately, you’re probably out of luck on getting any money back. Six weeks down the line, it will likely be difficult to return the item you purchased to the store. And the rebate issuer will hold fast to its decision. You do have the right to complain, and you should lodge a complaint with both the store and the rebate issuer.

Most retail stores want to keep their customers happy and will try to find some way to resolve the problem. And if they can’t resolve it, they may offer you some other in-store incentives on future purchases.

HOME TIP: Before mailing a rebate claim, read the fine print to make sure you’ve included everything that needs to go with the form. And make copies of everything, including the receipt, proof of purchase and the claim form.