Bethpage-Tribune_1987-08-13

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BETHB^E
Island Trees Plainedge
also serving
Seaford
BT 4 - c o p i es
BethpaqG L.ibrarv
4 7 Pcwoll AVE'
\:hi).\(io. NY ] 1 7 I ^,
Old Bethpage Plainview
VOL. 32 NO. 14 August 13,1987 to August 19,1987 20 cer.ts per copy
BenefifSaftbal/
Little Jose Gutierrez (in front), a resident of the Long
Island Ronald McDonald House, threw the first ball in the
Giants/ Islanders chanty softball game to benefit the House.
From left to right are: Lyn Jurick, president of the Ronald
McDonald House; Bill Mohrmann, president of the McDo­nald's
Long island Operators Association, who organized
the game; next to him is Kenney Hill of the Giants and
Kenny Morrow of the Islanders, The game raised close to
$10,000 to help familie; on Long Island living at the Ronald
McDonald House, a home-away-from-home for children
with serious illnesses.
No Extra Charge For
Lemon Law Rights
Senator Norman J. Levy (R,-C-Merrick) announced that
as a result of legislation he co-sponsored which was recently
signed into law by the Governor, automobile consumers will
receive the protections they are entitled to under New York
State's Lemom Law without having to pay an extra charge
when purchasing a new car.
Levy explained that the new law prohibits auto manuiac-turers
from adding an additional charge to the purchase
price of a vehicle to compensate for compliance with the
New Car Lernon Law.
Levy said thai the measure was introduced following the
Ford Motor Company's announcement that it was increas­ing
the price of their vehicles sold in New York State by $ 115
to cover Lemon Law compliance costs.
Under New York State's Lemon Law, if a motor vehicle
does not conform to all express warranty provisions for the
first iB,000 miles, or two years (whichever is sooner), the
manufacturer is required to make the necessary repairs-at
no charge to the consumers.
If, after four attemps to repair it, or if the vehicle is out of
service for a period of 30 days or more during the warranty
period, the manufacturer may be required to replace the
vehicle with a comparable one, or refund the purchase or
lease price of the automobile.
"I am delighted that the Governor has signed this bill into
law, so that New Yorkers will continue to receive the protec-lions
they are entitled to under the Lemon Law without
paying a penalty," concluded Levy.
Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards:
Education For Veterans
by Governor Mario M. Cuomo
In our country's time of need, brave men and
women have served with honor and valor. While
our debt to them can never be fully repair, we
must do all we can to recognize and aid these
valiant citizens.
One of the most precious gifts we can give
anyone, is the opportunity for education. That is
why we recently enacted legislation to create the
Vietnam Veterans' Tuition Awards. These awards
provide up to $500 per semester for full-time
undergraduate college tuition. Additional awards
of $250 are available for part-time studies and for
approved New York vocational training
programs.
For those who have served, these grants will be
most beneficial. With this opportunity, veterans
can learn a new skill, fulfill a life-long dream and
increase career options. To continue one's educa­tion
is an important goal, and in New York State
we are committed to helping our citizens attain
this goal.
Towards this end. New York State has passed a
total of six veterans bills targeted at education
since 1983. Through these bills the State recog­nizes
our debt to veterans, and acknowledges the
importance of higher education. These grants
encourage veterans who might not have otherwise
continued their education as well as individuals
who have always dreamed of earning a degree.
Education bills such as these create possibilities
for today's veterans and individuals related to
them. In recent years. New York State has
expanded the number of people who qualify for
Regents' Awards under the Child of a Deceased
or Disabled Veteran Program to include children
of former prisoners of war (POW) and soldiers
missing in action (MIA). These education laws
also assist our veterans of tomorrow. The Active
Duty Tuition law states that active duty military
personnel stationed in New York State pay the
in-state tuition rate at community colleges. This
gives active duty armed forces personnel an equal
opportunity for opportunity for education in New
York State.
We realize that measures such as these are not
sufficient repayment for the services rendered by
veterans, but we must continue to do what we can
to reimburse them.
To be eligible for the Vietnam Veterans' Tui­tion
Awards, you must have served in the U.S.
Armed Forces in IndoChina between January 1,
1963 and May 7, 1975. The deadline for filing
applications is September I. Forms can be picked
up at college financial aid offices, a local Division
of Veterans' Affairs office, or by writing to New
York State Higher Education Services Corp.,
VVTA, Albany, NY 12255,1 urge all eligible vete­rans
to take advantage of this opportunity.
Travel Scams:
Buyer Beware
by Rep. Norman Lent 4t!!i District
Last week, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on
Transportation, Tourism and Hazardous Materials, on
which I serve, listened to victims of "travel scam" operations
relate their experiences. For example, a group of 28 senior
citizens frum Florida each lost $ i ,800 when their trip to Italy
was cancelled at the last minute. Many Long Islanders have
also been targets of travel fraud, such ais the Oceanside
couple who recently contacted me for help in recouping $350
charged to their credit card for a supposedly "free" vacation.
Each year, thousands of consumers are bilked out of
tremendous sums of money under the guise of being offered
a free or incredibly low-priced vacation package. Customers
are usually contacted by telephone and offered a free trip or
reduced travel fares which he or she must accept imme­diately.
The buyer is then asked to make an on-the-spot
"refundable" deposit by credit card ranging from $10 to
$300. In most cases, the trips never materialize or the costs
turn out to be much higher than the fraudulent travel firm
initially promised.
Unfortunately, consumers rarely get their money back,
and federal and state authorities have found it difficult to
put these travel scam operations out of business. The typical
travel scam operates for 4-6 months, collects several million
dollars, and then disappears without a trace. They are care­ful
to make their offers over the telephone to out-of-stte
residents. Agreements not in writing are difficult to eni"orce,
and state attorneys general have little authority to prosecute
for alleged crimes committed in other states.
in the days ahead, the Energy and Commerce Committee,
on which I serve as Ranking Minority Member, will be
examining whether there is a need for federal legislation to
protect consumers and legitimate travel agents. In the mean­time.
Congress will be urging stiffer enforcement of federal
mail and wire fraud regulations by the Federal Trade Com­mission
and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Buyers should beware of the dangers of travel scam opera­tions.
If you have a complaint or any questions about a
specific company, I urge you to contact the Better Business
Bureau which will be able to provide you with complete
informaiton into what type of business it is, what they are
selling, any complaints that have been registered, and any
legal action that has been taken against the company. Edu­cation
may be a consumer's best protection against becom­ing
another unsuspecting victim of travel fraud.
Gulotti Meets With
Summer Interns
Nassau County Executive Thomas S. Gulotta meets with
Summer Interns who are employed with the County of
Nassau for the Summer of 1987. Joining the County Execu­tive
is Ronald Spielberger of Old Bethpage who is with the
Department of Employee Relations.