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Archives
03-27-2002 News
New state law requires E-tags to be returned
New state law requires E-tags to be returned
By becky meredith, ocn staff Overton County motorists who bear Emergency tags, or "E-tags", on their vehicles probably don't realize their plates are illegal. Under a new Tennessee state law, those who currently have Emergency tags must visit their County Clerk's Office with their tags to check if they can still legally possess the plates. In Overton County, however, most persons who have the tags, if not all, do not meet the criteria necessary. Overton County Deputy Clerk Jeanette Mosley said, "Anybody that has an Emergency tag in Overton County should probably bring it back and get a regular tag." Roughly 300 persons in Overton County have E-tags at the time. Mosley advised Overton County News that 911 Emergency does not want any Emergency plates given out unless such are issued to someone with the Civil Air Patrol or Civil Defense Organization. "I don't believe we have any of those in Overton County, so I really don't think there's anybody in Overton County that should have an Emergency tag," she said. Prior to the new law, nearly anyone who worked in an emergency field could be granted an E-tag. "That's the way it has been up until now," she said. "We used to be able to sell them to emergency personnel like doctors or ambulance drivers or fire department (members) or somebody like that but not anymore." Mosley suggests that as soon as persons with Emergency tags hear of the new law, they take their plate into the Clerk's Office. Those who choose not to heed to the E-tag law can probably expect a fine, Mosley said. "It's a misdemeanor for somebody to get caught driving with an Emergency tag on their personal vehicle.Ó
Postage rate increase may take effect By Becky Meredith, OCN staff With the recent fall in the economy comes the recovery of the United States Postal Service, as yet again stamp prices for first class mail look to take a 3¢ boost. Mail has slowed eminently since last fall's terrorist attacks, resulting in Postal Service officials' decision to up mailing costs. Beth Barnett, spokesperson for the United States Postal Service, said, "The postal service is suffering from a lot of losses, part of the combined economic recession and the aftereffects of 9/11. We've had an unprecedented decline in our mail volume, and also reduced revenues. So, that necessitates raising rates because our postage rates pay for the cost of operation; we don't get tax dollars. Essentially, that's the reason" USPS had a loss of $1.68 billion last year and expected a $1.35 billion loss in 2002, even though new construction projects were halted and nearly 12,000 jobs were eliminated. "We've done a terrific job of trying to cut our costs and reduce and be more productive,Ó Barnett said, "and we've actually made a record for productivity improvements. But we've been aggressively going at a cost-cutting program instead of our costs rising. They've risen less, but that still is not enough to pay for the cost of doing business. "We've cut $300 million in our operations. We've reduced our area budgets by $1 billion, but we're required by law to break even. That's a law mandated to us by Congress, so we have to raise rates to do just that." The all-time high of postage stamp costs does not show any promise to decrease in the near future either. "If we could reduce rates, we surely would, but like I said, we don't receive tax dollars. The universal service we provide, it's paid for by the revenue that's generated from the sale of postage stamps.Ó The decision of the postage price hike is all but finalized; the Postal Board of Governors is scheduled to meet in early April and determine whether to raise the rates. "Next month, they will meet and most likely approve,Êthey're expected to approve,Êthe rate,Ó Burnett added. She stated the earliest the hike will kick in is June 30, 2002.
Public Health Week declared in county
Overton County Executive Richard M. "Ossie" Mitchell recently signed a proclamation declaring April 1 through 7 Public Health Week in the county, to recoginze contributions of public health. In observance of Public Health Week, Overton County Health Department will provide a free dental screening on Tuesday, April 2 for persons up to 18 years of age. The screening will involve a quick mouth check-up to verify if the subject has any dental problems. Janet Gann, director of Overton County Public Library, will visit the Health Department on Tuesday, April 2 to entertain children on hand with storytelling. Gann will begin reading at 9:30 a.m. in the Reading Roost waiting area. All children and parents are invited to attend. The Health Department will also host an open house on Wednesday, April 3. The public is invited to attend from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Overton County Health Department is located at 1080 Bradford-Hicks Drive. For more information call (931) 823-6260.
Overton County News
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