The Brattleboro Reformer from Brattleboro, Vermont • 2

2 Friday, November 15, 1991 Brattleboro Reformer New England governors propose regional economic pool LEBANON, N.H. (AP) New England will try to give itself an economic shot in the arm soon by establishing a regional bank to help companies expand, its governors announced Thursday. Massachusetts Gov. William Weld made the announcement at the New England Governors Conference, whose general theme was regional cooperation from tourism to transportation, with specific focus on the regions fledgeling but booming biotechnology industry. Weld, who succeeds Gov.

Judd Gregg of New Hampshire as conference chairman in January, said no formal plan for the bank has been established, but that he and the other five governors will make proposals within six months. "The traditional banking system alone is not getting the job done, he said later in a brief interview. Im looking for pools of capital wherever I can find it, even venture capital or even under the mattress, he said. The shape of the "regional development pool, Weld said, remains to be fleshed out. It would be a combination of industrial revenue bonds and state pension fund money.

It could have contributions from state commer The conference focused on biotechnology, the creation of new medicines and products from living organisms. The governors Rhode Island Gov. Bruce Sundlun and Connecticut Gov. Lowell Weicker were unable to attend encouraged the industry to grow and stay in New England. Symbolically, they held the conference at the new state-of-the art Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont said the region has the highest number of higher learning institutions per capita in the country. cial banks. It could have contributions from so-called nonbank banks, such as GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corp. Sears Credit the funding sources would remain to be worked out, he said.

Weld did not say how much capital the pool would raise, adding that there would have to be safeguards to make sure that each state would receive at least the lions share of its investment back again. Maine Gov. John McKeman said a regional bank makes sense. "The problems are regional in nature and the solutions must be regional in nature, he said. Extension to benefit N.H.

joblessj 13 weeks, spokesmen said late Thursday. In a telephone interview from Washington, Rep. Bill Zeliff said he intended to pursue all avenues to reverse this injustice. Zeliff and George Soulia, director of the state Bureau of Unemployment Compensation, agreed that the language of the bill and other materials they saw ruled out eligibility for New Hampshire workers who have exhausted their benefits or will exhaust them this week. The group includes an estimated 4,100 workers who exhausted their benefits between the end of September and the end of last week, Soulia said.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) Thousands of jobless New Hampshire workers stand to benefit from an agreement in Washington to extend unemployment benefits, but they will get six weeks worth of checks instead of the 13 many had hoped for, officials said. Furthermore, an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 workers those who have exhausted their benefits in recent months probably are eligible, but may not be, officials indicated. Members of the states congressional delegation were working to insure that group is eligible, and to get the benefits extended from six to But both men said they had bee: assured by the U.S. Department Labor those workers would be elig: ble.

Soulia said thats true provide-benefits were not exhausted befori March 31. Soulia was inclined to accept th federal assurance, but Zeliff wa; uncertain. The bill, passed by the Hous-Thursday and expected to win ap proval quickly from the Senate an President Bush, would take effec Sunday. Anyone who exhausted his benefits after that date, and before March 31, 1992, would be eligible for extended benefits, Soulia said. f.

AP WINTER VISITOR A large snowy owl pauses for a rest on a roof in Old Town, Maine. The white owls, residents of the arctic tundra, range south into the eastern United States in winter. I Gay teens feel alone, consider suicide create the first statewide program targeting gay and lesbian youth. Advocates, including 30 co-sponsors, say it would cost the state little or no money. The board would be voluntary, operating under the Office of Health and Human Services.

Proponents did not say how exactly the board would help prevent teen suicides. The bill has been stalled in the House Ways and Means Committee. A staff member said the committee is bogged down with more complex legislation. Sharon Bergman, a bisexual attending Concord Academy, read from her journal describing the isolation she felt. BOSTON (AP) Gay teens who attempted suicide because they felt alone and misunderstood are asking the state for help.

I was in 13 hospitals in two years, had five suicide attempts, said Stacy Harris, a lesbian student at Curry College. I didnt know who I was. Harris and others aired their personal grief Thursday in the hopes of rallying support for a bill that would offer assistance to gay teens contemplating suicide. There is no greater tragedy than the loss of a young life to suicide, said Lt. Gov.

Paul Cellucci. He said the Weld administration supports the bill that would create a state advisory board on issues of concern to gay people. Gay teen suicide can and must be prevented. David LaFontaine, organizer of Thursdays speak-out at the State-house, said about 30 percent of the 1 million attempted teen suicides each year are committed by gays and lesbians. "Societys ingrained prejudices against gay people are literally killing staggering numbers, said LaFontaine, lobbying director for the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Alvin Thompson, D-Cambridge, would Group asked to rethink condom stand Doctor rules out Rena Paquette suicide I think the Cardinal (Bernard Law) should take a really good look at this, said Betty Finn, a former homeless woman who often relied on the shelter. I think homeless women should be told about AIDS and have a way of protecting themselves from it, said Finn, 41. Gayle Basten had headed St. Patricks Shelter for Homeless Women in Somerville, formerly York Street CAMBRIDGE, Mass.

(AP) -AIDS activists and homeless women Thursday urged Catholic Charities officials to rethink their stand against providing condoms at shelters. The coalition met at the Multiservice Center to show support for the director of an emergency women's shelter who was fired for making condoms available to women using the facility. Shelter of Cambridge, since December 1989. Basten had been providing seminars and literature on safe sex and AIDS, but she also kept a basket of condoms on the back of toilet in a bathroom for the women. The Roman Catholic Church disapproves of condom use, said Joseph Doolin, Boston archdiocese director of Catholic Charities of Massachusetts.

Basten was dismissed from her position at the end of October, effective Dec. 1. For now, all it means is that the family can feel secure knowing that she didnt kill herself, Nadeau said. Were just going to sit tight and say very little until the full report is rendered to the family, said Victor Paquette, the womans son. At that time, I honestly believe we will have some enlightening information for the general public.

Fossum credited his determined secretary, Joy Cad-arette, for uncovering the file on from the original investigation that helped him make his conclusion. Fossum said he did not know why the original ruling was a suicide, but that from the results of the autopsy done at the time of her death, it should not have been ruled a suicide. He said the original autopsy was done well. He said the original autopsy results, autopsy photos and investigative reports, together with information provided by the family, led to his ruling after his autopsy showed no new evidence. CONCORD, N.H.

(AP) The death of a woman 27 years ago was thrown back into the lap of the attorney generals office after the state medical examiner decided she did not kilLberself. I cant support a ruling of suicide, Dr. Roger Fos-sum said after performing an autopsy Wednesday on the exhumed remains of Rena Paquette and studying an investigative report on the case. Paquettes family asked that the body be exhumed for a second autopsy, hoping to show she did not kill herself, but had been murdered. Fossum did not go so far to rule it a homicide, but said he will change the cause of death to undetermined on her death certificate.

However, Fossums findings dont mean a criminal investigation will automatically be opened, state Assistant Attorney General Tina Nadeau said. She will review the case with family members, but not within the next couple months, she said. WEATHER EYE CLOUDY, rain likely today, high 45 to 50. Tonight, rain early, rain likely, low 35 to 40. Saturday, partly sunny, high 45 to 50.

Dry and cold Sunday and Monday, highs in the 30s, lows in the upper teens and 20s. Chance of rain or snow Tuesday, high 35 to 45, low 25 to 35. It's the best time of year for a Four Seasons patio sun room. I FOUR SEASONS Outdoor living, indoors Inspectors: People ignored warnings at Putney Brattleboro, Vt. 802-254-4208 800-362-2424 BOSTON (AP) A disaster team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday visited areas hard-hit by a major coastal storm and said they were amazed no one was killed.

Were relieved there werent any fatalities, and were surprised there Name Brands at Discount Prices werent any fatalities, said Rick Coleman, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service forecast office in Memphis, and a member of the survey team. Were not sure the public understood the threat. One group of federal officials is touring New England and another the mid-Atlantic states to gauge the weather services effectiveness. The storm Oct. 30 was accurate forecast, they said.

The problem w. that a lot of residents didnt listen the warnings. Name Brandsl at Discount Prices Electric Acoustic Guitars Drums Amps Band Instruments Accessories LOTTERY WEDNESDAY Tri-State 7-2-0 4-1-6-1 Mass. 0-8-0-7 Mass Cash -4-10-22-12-17 Community News BMH FALL HEALTH SERIES Common Problems for Healthy People Monday evening, November 18, 1991 Coping with the Loss of a Loved One Panel discussion presented by Bralllebciro Area Hospice Bereavement Team and families experiencing loss BRATTLEBORO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Registration requested Call 257-8277 weekday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. space provided by First Vermont Bank of the rich and and the rest of us.

Todays Birthdays Actor Edward Asner is 62. Singer Petula Clark is 59. Actress Joanna Barnes is 57. Actor Sam Waterston is 51. Todays Anniversaries In 1806.

explorer Zebulon Pike sighted the mountaintop that later became known as Pikes Peak. In 1926, the National Broadcasting Company made its on-air debut with a radio network of 24 stations. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. Mark the occasion with a birthday or anniversary mention of someone you know.

Line mention is only $5, photo mention is $10. Please send information and payment to: Reformer Birthdays and Anniversaries, P.O. Box 802, Brattleboro, Vt. 05302 so that It is received by us two days before the occasion. CONSUMER REFUND NOTICE: DID YOU BUY A WATER FILTER, VITAMINS OR OTHER MERCHANDISE FROM ONE OF THE TELEMARKETING COMPANIES LISTED BELOW? YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND.

In November 1990, Attorney General Jeff Amestoy filed suit against two Las Vegas-based telemarketing companies and their owners for violating the Vermont Consumer Fraud Act. According to the court complaint, these companies misled consumers into thinking they were required to buy merchandise in order to obtain a prize, overstated the capabilities of the products sold, and charged excessive prices (for example, $598 for a filter that cost $40 wholesale). The companies involved, and their companion firms (some of which are based in Utah, Arizona, or Buffalo, New York) are: Pioneer Enterprises Empire Marketing Enterprises Vita-Tek Marketing Pro-Life Marketing Vita-Systems Enterprises Vita Health Regency Marketing Unitel National Enterprises 21st Century Marketing In October 1991, the case was settled. The telemarketing companies agreed to pay 1 86,000 to the State of Vermont, of which almost half is to be used for consumer refunds. Any Vermont consumer who can prove that he or she bought a water filter, vitamins, or other merchandise from one of the companies listed above will be entitled to a refund.

The exact amount of the refund will depend on the amount of the purchase, the amount of any credits or refunds already given, and the total dollar amount of all refunds to be paid. If you bought merchandise from one of these companies, and you have a credit card slip or statement or other documentation to prove it, send a short letter to Elliot Burg, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602. State your name, address, and telephone number, and enclose a copy of your proof of purchase. The deadline for mailing refund requests is Dec. 13, 1991.

TELEMARKETING ABUSE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN VERMONT. DONT GIVE YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER OVER THE TELEPHONE UNLESS YOU KNOW WHOM YOU ARE DEALING WITHI AND REMEMBER: IF ANY OFFER SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY ISI BEST PRICE EVER On America's most popular home stairclimber $299 Now $100 off manufacturer's suggested retail price The original Precor 71 8e Low Impact Climber is the best climber value on the market today With just two easy steps you can raise your pulse rate and burn more calories laster Electronic readouts Adjustable resistance tor tougher climbs. The ultimate lower body workout machine 'According to several of the nation's leading consumer and fitness publications PRECOR 718e Oiler expires Nov. 30 New England Fitness Co. YOUR EXERCISE EQUIPMENT SOURCE From Classical to Heavy Mai We Service All Musical Needs I Let Our Knowledgeable Staff Help You itaMCOiscover accepted.

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