Shop Local / Support your Neighbors

     A couple of weeks ago I posted some tools for sale on Craigslist including a pneumatic flooring nail gun.  After lots of market-style price haggling and numerous no-shows, I was thrilled when someone offered to pay full price and requested that I ship the nail gun.  The following is my personal account of someone’s attempt to con me out of $1,200 in a scheme commonly known as the “Nigerian Check Scam.” 

The Missouri Affiliate of The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

    Fourteen candidates will compete for nine openings for the Jefferson County Extension Council during an election held the third week in January. The Extension Council oversees the operation of the Extension Center in Hillsboro. Members are elected for a two-year term and provide leadership on programs and financial management.
 

On Thursday, December 10, 2009, the House Springs Lions hosted a reception that was a culmination of the tremendous efforts of the Northwest Chamber of Commerce to collect toys for less fortunate children in the northwest quadrant of Jefferson County. 
 

Lisa Hill is one of 18 volunteers who attended an Organizing for America meeting hosted by OFA Regional Field director, Kyle Juvers at the Arnold Branch Jefferson County Library on Saturday, September 12.  Hill’s son Adam, now 18, was diagnosed with leukemia at age seven.  He recovered, but last year he was diagnosed with epilepsy.  Frequent calls from the school nurse forced Hill to leave her job.  Her husband is a business owner, a union plumbing contractor, and since most of his employees get their insurance through their union, he can’t buy group health insurance reasonably for his business. 

Hill currently insures her family through COBRA, but she says that will run out in June of 2010.  She worries that her son won’t be able to buy insurance as an individual, and that his health will limit his work options. 

Like many people on all sides of the healthcare reform debate, Hill believes that most people are vulnerable under current healthcare policies.  “If you lose your job, you’re going to lose your healthcare,” she says.  “COBRA extends 18 months.  That’s it – if you can afford it.”