$468,616 Federal Grant Slated For Flood

Affidavit Lists Guns-for-drugs Scheme 
Authorities Claim William 
Jenkins Bartered Guns For Drugs 
As Part Of A Simple, Yet Very 
Effective Criminal Operation

Friday, January 31, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





911 scofflaws can create crisis -- for themselves &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Go ahead, let the phone operators read from a card to you folks who
complain about the 911 fee. They'll tell callers that the fee is a tax and
that failing to pay it makes about as much sense as tossing your 1040 tax form
in the trashBut make no mistake. Maybe the phone companies could have handed
out these cards a little earlier. That's a minor oversight, though --
especially when compared with the careless or willful disobedience of people
refusing to pay taxes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They're the folks who are breaking the law in this situation. And they're
the ones who really ought to change their ways. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A story by Staff Writer Mike Rubinkam in Thursday's Times Leader noted that
some telephone customers aren't getting the message about the nature of the
911 fee. The $1.25-a-month fee is being used to extend 911 service to all of
Luzerne County. County commissioners authorized it last February, and the
phone companies have been adding it to phone bills ever since. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But callers who complain about the tax to Bell Atlantic and Commonwealth
Telephone aren't being told the potential costs of failing to pay, Rubinkam
reported. Those costs conceivably could reach $600 or 30 days in jail. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Instead the callers are told to write a letter of protest each month, and
to watch for their names to be given to the county. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Frankly, we're amazed anyone keeps the buck twenty-five in their pocket
after being given this information. Do these scofflaws really think they can
escape paying a countywide fee just by writing a letter? Do they honestly
believe there will be no consequences for their refusal? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Apparently they do, since some number of customers actually are refusing to
pay the tax. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We suspect the phone companies will start telling these callers the facts
of life before long. In the meantime, let this editorial enlighten them: Hey,
folks, it's a tax! Pay up! If you don't like it, then vote for a different set
of county commissioners, who'll vow to cut taxes. (Though slashing 911 service
hardly strikes us as the best place to start reforming county government.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But for Pete's sake, don't just refuse to make out the check. County
government may seem slow-witted at times. But rest assured, it's not about to
compile a "forgive and forget" list, with the kindly instruction: "These folks
said they don't like the 911 tax. So we're letting them not pay." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

911 Scofflaws Can Create Crisis -- For Themselves 
Go Ahead, Let The Phone Operators Read From A Card To You Folks Who Complain 
About The 911 Fee. They'll Tell Callers That The Fee Is A Tax And That Failing 
To Pay It Makes About As Much Sense As Tossing Your 1040 Tax Form In The 
Trash.

911 Scofflaws Can Create Crisis -- For Themselves Go Ahead, Let The Phone Operators Read From A Card To You Folks Who Complain About The 911 Fee. They'll Tell Callers That The Fee Is A Tax And That Failing To Pay It Makes About As Much Sense As Tossing Your 1040 Tax Form In The Trash.