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The Goldendale Sentinel
Goldendale , Washington
February 19, 2004     The Goldendale Sentinel
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February 19, 2004
 
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USE SUBJECT TO LICENSE AGREEMENT. REPRODUCTION, DISSEMINATION, STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION PROHIBITED. PAGE 16 FEBRUARY HEALTH , increasing other retirees' share of their premiums (including some Goldendale- area non-salafied union employees) to reducing deferred compensation and incentive programs for cur- rent managers. Despite Knotts' statement, the retirees who were salaried employees appear to have received the short end of the stick. Don Henning, the local Steelworkers' union president in Goldendale, showed a copy of a similar letter some of his members who'd also retired from Commonwealth received in November. They would have to ~ pay 75 percent of their pre- mium until age 65, then 35 percent of a reduced premium after Medicare kicked in. "They were dis- appoint- ed. It's not what they were told," said Henning. But at least the union retirees would still have group coverage, instead of being left to fend for them- selves. Said They don't really have any leverage, except to pub- licly shame the company. -- David Groves, AFL-CIO benefits panics are doing it in desper- ation. "I'm sure some compa- nies feel they have no choice," he said. But Groves thinks it's short-sighted. "The collective impact will just make the problem worse." The companies can, how- ever, get away with it. The retirees "probably don't have much legal recourse," said Lauren Moughon, advocacy director for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in Seattle. So many companies, she said, wouldn't have dis- continued retiree benefits if there'd been lawsuits stop- ping them. L e s Dewey, regret in his voice, agreed. Dewey, who lives in White Salmon, was the manager Commonwealth personnel administrator who discussed the retirement package with retirees in 1985. "The details would have-been in the book- let distributed at that time," he said. "Questions about the Commonwealth's lifetime benefit would have June 28 letter to the salaried been in the fine print. They retirees, "The company corn- probably could change it at mitted significant time to anytime." reviewing possible alterna- Not one of the retirees The fives... [and] concluded that Sentinel spoke with still had this decision was required." a copy of the booklet. "There It is no secret that the may have been 50 to lOO American aluminum industry [retirees]. Most probably felt is in rough shape. Golden they were getting the benefit Northwest, current owner of for life," said Dewey. the plant that was once Of the lost survivor bene- Commonwealth's, is now in fit, if it is true, said Groves, Chapter 11 bankruptcy pro- "It makes the company's tection as it reorganizes debt move more despicable, but in hopes of reopening the without a binding agreement plant one more time. Last it makes no difference. It is month, 2o,ooo Kaiser sad when people learn [this] Aluminum retirees wereway. My heart goes out to within days of losing medical them." and life insurance benefits as Groves and Moghon assign the company sought to ultimate blame to the health emerge from reorganization; care industry, and some to the Kaiser retirees managed business and government. to salvage a portion. "There is a fiver of money How dire were the circum- in the health care system," stances that ledsaid Moghon. "The pharma- Commonwealth to cut costs? eeutieal companies are For the six months ending among the most egregious June, 2o03, sales had fallen offenders. They are three and lO percent to $427.1 million, a half times more profitable resulting in net losses of $8.4 than the average for other million, according to compa- industries." ny documents. After reaching Groves faults large and $14 per share in 2ooo, the wealthy employers such as company's stock bottomed Wal-Mart that do not offer out at $4.20 in May 2003. affordable health care. "We Commonwealth hoped to are publicly subsidizing Wal- III a Final results from local Feb. 3 school levy elections, released Friday by the Klickitat County Auditor's office, make it official: Levies in four east-county towns passed, while Goldendale's proposed two-year replace- ment levy was defeated. The Auditor's final vote tal- lies are as follows: Centerville School District Registered voters 338 IN THE FIRE-ING LINE Total votes cast 158 Yes 117 No 41 Glenwood School District Registered voters 304 Total votes cast 13o Yes 1Ol No '-'9 Klickitat School District Registered voters 314 Total votes cast 19o Yes 12o Photo by Sam Lowry One thing is certain: Firefighters like to have a good time when they're not risking their necks. At the Goldendale Volunteer Fire Department's annual awards banquet on Monday evening, Chief Howard Scartozzi managed to raise a chuckle or a guffaw at the expense of practically everyone in the room, Sentinel reporters not excluded. Between laughs, though, the assembled crew and their families honored the commitment and volunteerism of members present and retired, old and new - here Junior Firefighters (those in training) receive their parents' and the department's good wishes. (LEFT TO RIGHT) Chief Howard Scartozzi, Janet Scartozzi, Ashley Scartozzi, Ellen Lund, Cassie Lund, Wes Lund, Cameron Howell, Will Hudson, Pastor Greg Howell (partially hidden), Robin Hudson, and Assistant Chief Marty Hudson. IRS: $68M waiting for W; Deadline is April 15 for refunds averaging $551 The Internal Revenue Service is giving taxpayers nationwide one last chance to claim refunds from the year 2000 that total more 'than $2.5 billion. Of the total, Washington taxpayers who failed to file a 2000 income tax return stand to claim up to $68 million in tardy refunds, the IRS said in a Feb. 9 news release. To do so, however, they must file a 2000 late return no later than April 15 - this with a three-year window for claiming a refund. The bureau estimates that half of those who could claim refunds would receive more than $529. In some cases, individuals had taxes withheld from their wages, or made payments against their taxes out of self- employed earnings, but had too little income to require filing a tax return. "People who aren't required to file sometimes overlook that they had tax withheld," said Everson. Some taxpayers may also be eligible for the refund- able Earned Income Tax Credit. The IRS reminds taxpay- year. "The clock is running if ers seeking a 2ooo refund you want to get your refund; that their checks will be held don't wait until it's too late," if they have not filed tax said IRS Commissioner returns for 2OOlOr 2002. In Mark W. Everson. The law addition, the refund will be provides most taxpayers applied to any amounts still save $6.5 million in 2003 and Mart's health care," he said. $8.4. million in 2004 due to Groves also blames govern- the benefit plan changes, sent, for not dealing with !t their press release said. in a more aggressive way. It s Commonweath was near a trend we re all going to pay the edge, but not tipping over for. . , it. Asked if Commonwealth s As it happened, a third- decision was irrevocable, quarter 2003 announcement Knotts hesitated. "If someone heralded the company s can make the right ease ... if "return to profitability" and they have something that "resurgence of sales.' supports their ease, she said. Commonwealth stock rocket- "I can understand their pain." ed to $11 per share in The ideasthatbeneficiaries January; it has since fallen to whose company has cut bene- $6. Meanwhile, the compa- fits could convince it to Come chec zt out. Open Wed• - Sat. from 10 to 5 541 Bickleton Hwy, 5 1/2 miles east of Goldendale. change course leaves Groves skeptical.. "They dort'I-really have any leverage, except to publicly shame the compa- ny•" ;hingtonians ny's top four officers contin- ued drawing a combined annual salary of $2.78 mil- lion, company documents show. How justfied is it for a company to cut retiree bene- fits in order to avoid bank- ruptcy? Apparently many American companies have concluded it is at least an acceptable practice. A Feb• 3 article in the New York Times cited a "growing number of companies saying retirees can retain coverage only if they are willing to bear the full cost themselves." A Feb. 5 Associated Press story said that three quarters of employers in a survey had either reduced retirement benefits or planned to. Assistant U.S. Labor Secretary Ann Combs issued a statement on Feb. 11 addressing the problem. "It is a disturbing trend," said Jack Zurlini, an attorney with the Washington State Attorney General's office in Spokane• David Groves, who handles benefits issues for the AFL- CIO in Olympia, thinks corn- owed to the IRS and may be used to satisfy unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans. Current and prior years' tax forms are available on the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov, or by calling 1- 8oo-TAX-FORM (1-8oo- 829-3676). Taxpayers who need help also can call the IRS help line at 1-8oo-829- 1040. No 7o Goldendale Registered voters Total votes Yes 830 No 659 Lyle School Registered voters Total votes Yes 404 No 211 "Food 101" will be in The Anyone ing a food quite sure how to is invited to mative Saturday March 6 from 8:3oi p.m. at Community Dalles. The workshop, the college's will help local learn the basics ness include technical processing, aging, business gie and ties and business. Participants will local and regional are available, and college's Business Incubator to help support development locally. Cost is $30 which includes a ness resource Registration is according to the ment. Thorn ter should call 3118. The workshop sored by the Oregon State Additional available by Tuck at OSU's Extension Office, 5494, or Mary college's business ment center, (54 Reimche - Dental Office We can meet all your dental needs. New Patients Welcome. 773-5866 • 615 E. Collins Drive * Elsie G. Tupper, M.D. Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:00-5:00 Appoinmaents available after hours by request 400 S. Roosevelt Goldendale, WA 98620 (509) 773-4014 Ev~ Wedneid~, at lhe Finally Pr~¢Ik~ Cllnk Carola Stepper, RN, LAc, CST Acuptmclm~ is a complete medical system that can treat many different health concerns Some insura~ acc~.cd. 711 E. Collins, Goldendale (509) 773-4017 For info: (503) 913-5191 Cascade Eye • Comprehensive eye health • Eye surgery, including no-stitch, no-patch • Laser Vision (On-site in • Lov~vision O~ John D• Wmer, ( Mitch Martin, Chris Barbour, 1805 E. 19th The Dalles, OR! (541) 2025 Cascade Ave. : OR (541) or Columbia River Women's Clinic, LLC /:l+//J' cert(fied in Obstetrics and Gynecology • Low risk and high-rlsk obstetrical care • Registered Nurses credentialed in Ambulatory Womens Health Care • State of the art diagnostic ultrasound equipment • Pelvic floor therapy services. James C. Faherty, MD. FACOG David A. Mack, DO,, FACOG Diane E. Ellis, MD., FACOG 1810 E. 19th Suite 209 The Dalles, OR 97058 541-296-5657 • Fax: 541-298-5199 Famh3 Physicians & Anil Rajani, Willial Judy Richardson, Annie Stone Carolyn Michael Garnett, Lance Petersen, 711 E. Collins Goldendale WA (509) Office 8:30 a.m