THI t l urY IJRY26I 20 -- 06-TH JASER-NES, JsperFLPGE3


JLTUtftr to Ebiitnr


 Dear Editor,
 As Chairman of the Florida Prepaid
College Board, I am often asked about
the Florida Prepaid College Plan and its
importance to the families and children
of our state. Without a doubt, the Pre-
paid College Plan is one of the greatest
benefits the state offers Florida families
and the leaders of tomorrow our chil-
dren.
 From the guarantee it offers on your in-
vestment, to the ability to lock in today's
tuition, local fee and dormitory plan
prices without ever paying an increase in
the future, the Prepaid College Plan's af-
fordable payment plans make college fi-
nancially accessible for everyone.
 In creating a path for higher education,
families can make the hopes, dreams and
aspirations of their children a reality.


When this happens, our children, our
community and our state's economy win.
 We all want a higher education for our
children, but most of us worry about
having the means to pay for future col-
lege expenses. Now is the right time to
start saving for a college education. For
as little as $24 per month, you can send
your child to college. If you haven't en-
rolled your children in the Florida Pre-
paid College Plan, I encourage you to do
so before it is too late. The 2005-2006
open enrollment period ends on Tues-
day, Jan. 31.
 To enroll online, visit www.flori-
da529plans.com or call 1-800-552-GRAD
(4723) to request an enrollment kit and
application.
 Ted Hoepner
 Chairman Florida Prepaid College Board


 Seniors still having

problems getting medicine


Submitted
 Last week in this column
you were told about a 93
year old lifetime Jasper res-
ident who was unable to
get her medicine. Since
then she has been able to
receive a limited supply of
medication until her new
Medicare Prescription
Drug Benefit plan can be-
come effective. At that time
she will again be able to get
her medicine at an afford-
able cost.
 There is still a much larg-
er problem that the state of
Florida and the federal
government have not suffi-
ciently addressed. More
than two dozen people.
have visited this office who
were left behind by the
transition into the new
drug benefit. Most of these
have been on some type of
assistance program, but not-
on Medicaid. They all re-
ceived letters informing
them they were approved
for extra help with the new
.program but they must
sign up for ne. .
SWhen you are 93 or even
73;, and, receive a letter
from social security saying
you are approved, you feel
as though there is nothing
else you need -do. Even
younger people, children
and grandchildren of the
seniors have read the let-
ters and come ,to that con-
clusion. Add to that failing
eyesight and, in many cas-
es, a limited education, and
you have insufficient un-
derstanding of the "govern-
ment language" that is in


the letters.
 Currently 21 states have
 provided emergency fund-
 ing to help ensure that no
 one goes without their
 medicine. However, here
 in Florida, which has the
 second largest senior popu-
 lation in the country, noth-
 ing has been done to help.
 Seniors who either don't
 understand or were
 dropped through the
 cracks in the changeover
 have two choices to pay
 full price for their medicine
 or go without. Either
 choice is not an option.
 -The most serious prob-
 lem is not with those who
 seek assistance but with
 those who go to get their
 medicine, get told it is a
 price they can't afford and
 don't get help. How many
 people that this has hap-
pened to is not known.
With more than 20 people
in this county alone seek-
ing help, the number that
are doing without their
medicine could be much
,large, ,Please encourage
any one that you know who
may be havingg problems
getting their medicine to
seek assistance.'
 The Hamilton County
 Pharmacy Program
 (HCRXPAP) is funded by a
 grant from The Blue Foun-
 dation for a Healthy Flori-
 da, Inc. The.program pro-
 vides free assistance with
 the application process for
 reduced-price or free pre-
 scription medications.
 Some pharmaceutical
 companies will supply


Get a 2006-2007 '"'
calendar and help
 children read ---. .
 Donate $5.00 to the Newspapers in Education Program
 and receive a 2 year planner


 ComebytheJasperNews today to pickyours up.
 105 2nd Ave..,Jasper.,FL 32052



 Fiscal Assistant
 Hamilton County Council on Aging. Inc. is
 seeking applicants to serve as part-time assistant to
 the Fiscal Officer. Applicants must have full charge
 bookkeeping experience in the development of all
 financial and accounting records and in the
 development of budgets and grants. Knowledge of
 computer usage for :find accounting is essential;
 knowledge of the following programs is preferred;
 Quattro, Quicken, Word Perfect, GPS (Great Plains
 Systems Accounting). Knowledge of preparations
 and assembly of State. and Federal grants is
 essential. -
 Interested persons may apply at Hamilton County
Council on Aging, Inc., Senior Citizens Center, 1509
S.W. 1st Street (NI.L.K. Jr. Drive) Jasper, Florida.
HCCOA is' an Equal Opportunity Employer and
encourages applications from older persons and
from qualified persons with disabilities. 236222-


their drugs that are not on
the approved list to low-in-
come consumers and Med-
icaid recipients. Discount
cards and low-cost pricing
on generic medicines
through mail order are also
available.
 To apply for assistance,
 take prescriptions,
 Medicare cards, other in-
 surance cards, identifica-
 tion and verification of in-
 come to the office. The ap-
 plication process usually
 takes four to six weeks be-
 fore the medication is re-
 ceived. Those applying
 should be prepared to buy
 the medicine or'ask their
 doctor for samples until
 they begin receiving it in
 the mail.
 ,The program, in coordi-
 nation with the SHINE pro-
 gram, has the latest infor-
 mation' on the Medicare
 drug program. Both pro-
 grams are located in the
 Sandlin Building at 204 NE
 1st St. in Jasper. They are
 open. Monday, Wednesday
 and.Friday, from 8 a.m. un-
::til;, 5.-,p.m..,,.,and, h u rsday
fromti' p'.mn ~ fttil 4 p.m. A
representative is in the
White Springs Library on
the first and third Thursday
each month from 9:30 a.m.
until 11:30 a.m.
 Appointments are not
need. For more information
call 792-2143.


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 Mature drivers, it's our
 policy to save you money.
 hen you insure \our car with us. through
 Auto-Owners Insirance Company, we'll save
 A \ou money! Statistics show that mature drivers
 experience' fe%\ er, less-costly accidents, allowing
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 Harrell Insurance
 792-1252 364-5561



NOW OPEN'















 Bridge Street in Historic

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 386-965-6388
 SDecorations, gifts, primitives,
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REQUEST


FOR BIDS

The Hamilton County School Board is
requesting sealed bids for the disposition of
the following vehicles:

 S Surplus Vehicles:
(1) 1992 GrandPrix
(2) 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier
(3) 1984 F-25Q For Truck

Only 1 bid per person per vehicle. Bids must
be in a sealed envelope, marked,as sealed bid
for. Surplus Vehicles. All bids must be
received in the office of the Superintendent
of Schools, Harry J. Pennington, located at
4280 SW CR 152 (Old Hamilton Middle
School) Jasper, Florida 32052'by February 6,
2006 not later than 4:00 pm. Bids i ill be
opened at 2:00 pm on February 7, 2006 at the
same address: Bids will be awarded at the
regularly scheduled board meeting of
February 13, 2006. Each awarded bidder will
be responsible for the cost associated with
moving the vehicles. Each awarded bidder
must move the vehicle within 30 days of the
award of the contract. Vehicles may be
viewed at the Hamilton County School bus
garage located at 426 NW 15th Ave., Jasper,
Florida and will be sold "as is". The
Hamilton County School Board reserves the
right to reject any and all bids.

For additional information contact W.C.
Laseter at (386) 792-6585.
 236206-F


PAGE 3A


THE JASPER NEWS, Jasper, FL


THUl RSDAY. JANU ARY 26,2006


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