Heard On The Street

FEELING OVERTAXED? The National Federation of Independent Business is taking advantage of the tax-month angst to promote its campaign to abolish the IRS code. In an April 3 news release, the federation announced the availability of petition kits for volunteers interested in eliminating the leviathan tax code in favor of a new tax code to be defined and debated at town hall meetings nationwide. To get a petition kit, contact NFIB at 800-NOT4-IRS. For more information on the campaign, check out NFIB's anti-IRS web site at www.not4irs.org.

GIVE 'TIL IT HURTS. National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week is April 19-25, according to the Midwest Organ Bank Inc., and it's an excellent time for would-be donors to make their wishes known to family members. Signing an organ donor card is not enough if family members refuse to give permission. Every day, approximately nine people die because an organ transplant was not available in time. Every 18 minutes a new person's name is added to the waiting list.

HUG A TOURIST TODAY. National Tourism Week is May 3-11, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau is doing it up at the Tourist Information Center, 3315 E. Battlefield. A week-long reception featuring popcorn and soft drinks will be held, and, on May 6, Tourist Appreciation Day, the CVB will add hot dogs to the list of refreshments and provide free car washes for tourists. The organization is also seeking donations of souvenir and specialty items, discount coupons and time to help Springfield's tourists feel the love. Contact Linda McNally at 881-5601, ext. 108, for more information.

ARTSFEST '98 on Walnut Street is seeking volunteers for the May 2-3 event. The 18th annual Artsfest needs volunteers to staff the information booth, gates, concession stands (featuring the famous Artdogs), roamers and helpers for the performing artists. Contact Barb Baker at Urban Districts Alliance, 831-6200, for a volunteer sign-up form.

CAMPAIGN SHOCKER. "The next time your evening meal is interrupted by someone asking you to make a donation to their favorite cause, it won't be someone from the Citizens for Burrell Committee," states an April 13 press release from supporters for Don Burrell, one of three Republican candidates for Division 3 circuit judge. Referring to the move as "a little unilateral campaign finance reform," the candidate stated, "Our committee will not solicit any donations from the bar or from anyone else. There will be no fund raisers. We will simply take whatever comes in from people who are motivated enough to approach us with a contribution and run the campaign on that."

WANTED DREAD AND ALIVE. Southwestern Bell is offering $500 for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of pay-phone vandals in the area. About 18 phones in Springfield, and about 13 in Joplin and Carthage, have been damaged in the last month. Springfield police are investigating the incidents, and advise that anyone seen loitering near a pay phone, damaging a pay phone or doing anything that appears suspicious should be reported by calling 864-1810. "Anything that appears suspicious" could result in many SBJ staff members being reported.

IT'S MILLER TIME at Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., which has just named Michael Miller its new chief financial officer. Miller, former vice president of finance for Silver Dollar City, assumes his new role May 4. A CPA and decorated Vietnam veteran, Miller spent the last 14 years as a member of the senior management team at Silver Dollar City, where he was responsible for all financing, long-term planning, mergers and acquisitions, budgeting, accounting, information systems, treasury and taxes. At AECI, Miller will be responsible for all of Associated's financial activities, including formulating financial policy and plans, providing overall direction for accounting, tax, risk-insurance, budget and treasury functions, obtaining capital and presenting financial data to the board of directors.

SLICE OF NICE. Ozarks Literacy Council will have a tutor training 6-9 p.m. April 23 and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 25. The two-day training is for volunteers who would like to teach English to speakers of other languages. The workshop will be held at the Ozarks Literacy Council, 1229 E. Seminole. Call 886-5499 to register or for more information. The Ozarks Literacy Council now has a list of students waiting for volunteer tutors.

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