Recently we had occasion to dial 911 and ask for ambulance service. The volunteers from our local Fire Department, and Kent's police, were promptly at the house. Also, along with the local ambulance, was a "fly car" containing a Para-Medic employed by Sloper-Willen Community Ambulance Service. He accompanied the local ambulance to the emergency room of our local hospital. After a decent interval we received a bill from S-W for $440. On the bill was the following, helpful information: "We have billed MEDICARE and you will receive the allowed payment from them. Please pay the balance above directly to our office." There seems to be no way to avoid this para-medic and his $440 bill. If you dial 911 or if you call the local ambulance direct, he will be there. It also does not matter what kind of service you receive from S-W … You are billed $440.

Bill Huestic, Director of Office for Aging tells us that a good number of Senior Citizens are being harassed by S-W
to pay this $440. When it happened to us we were fortunate enough to contact Sue Kelly's office, and we pass along her advice: Do not pay Sloper-Willen anything. Disregard their phone calls and any threats to impact your credit ratings. Eventually a check for $182.50 will be sent to you from MEDICARE. Send this check to S-W. It is up to them to collect the remainder from your 2ndary insurance company. Kelly's office also indicated that if S-W notifies your credit agency, write a letter to the agency explaining your

objections to paying for paramedical service above and beyond what MEDICARE and your insurance company are willing to pay. We intend to follow her advise, and we'll let you know what happens!

What does all of this have to do with recycling? Well, is not money the ideal example of how we are able to recycle paper and metal. We think that our Seniors will know how to recycle these products better than S-W.

MULCH! MULCH!

New patrons occasionally ask us how to deal with their autumn leaves. Here's our spiel: Run your lawn mower over them until they disappear! This enriches your lawn without the need for chemical fertilizers. You may also run your lawn mower over them once, rake them into a plastic bag, add a little water and fertilizer and let them compost in the sun. If you are a gardener, rake them up, take them to your garden and cover the soil completely. This will enrich your garden, and, if the layer is thick enough, may even eliminate plowing in the Spring and weeding next summer! Since no one ever brings their autumn leaves in to us, you must have some interesting ways of dealing with them Let us know and we'll pass them along!.

ULTRA-RECYCLING
We also accept: Batteries (all kinds), wire coat hangers, brown paper bags, plastic bags (1,2, & 3), spectacles, food, clothing, coupons, styrofoam peanuts, refundables; and, there is also our free table. Anything you believe to be of special value you may place upon our free table and, anything deposited upon this table is available without charge to any member.
Jim Baker 225-7901