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	<title type="html"><![CDATA[Save Alabama PACT Discussion Forum - General Information]]></title>
	<link rel="self" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/feed-atom-topic141.xml"/>
	<updated>2010-04-26T00:04:16Z</updated>
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	<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic141-general-information.html</id>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1164.html#p1164"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[We Won!]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-04-26T00:04:16Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1164.html#p1164</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1116.html#p1116"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[People of Madison County:  We are trying to organize a chartered bus to take us to the April 8th rally at the State House in Montgomery.  If you can go, call me, Donna Peacher, at 256-852-7817 or dhpeacher@gmail.com for details.   Will depart at 5:00 AM Thursday from Walmart parking lot on Madison Blvd, just off I-565. Cost will run between $15.00 and $20.00 per person according to number of people going. Save your gas and parking fees in Montgomery!  Come go with us and after the rally attend our private PACT meeting to discuss future legal ramifications.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-04-04T20:06:04Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1116.html#p1116</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1056.html#p1056"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Tmom, I just sent in the following letter to the editor of the Huntsville Times.  I believe it may help you.  The full senate can't debate or vote on the bills that will help us until the Head of The Rules Committee (Lowell Barron) releases it from his committee. (see below)


We would appreciate whatever you can do to expedite the publishing of the  letter to the editor below:
 
It was a year on February 27, since all we PACT people received the infamous poison Ivey letter which placed all our contracts in doubt.  

Well, the 2010 crucial legislative session is now happening as we speak.  Folks, WE ARE IN  TROUBLE!  One senator, Chairman of the Rules Committee, appears to be blocking the bills,    HB 228, 123 and 124,  from leaving his committee for a vote by the full senate.  These bills would save PACT,  and eliminate the need to require a tax on the people of Alabama.   He represents a piece of Madison County where the state grass roots effort began.  Unfortunately, the bills pit higher ed against lower ed and leaves us stranded in the middle.  How ironic that the “eds” are blocking bills that would educate more than 45,000 young people in Alabama.   We marvel at the power  “eds” have.   Shame on you!

We believe this session is truly a moral and legal test.  We understand that each senator has a lot at stake.  We desperately hope that character and moral fiber will win out over personal ambition.  Will they do the honest and right thing or will they yield to the power of the “eds”?  It’s test time.  We will be watching closely and will vote accordingly.  In fact, on a personal note, I will actively campaign against Senator Lowell Barron’s re-election. 

I urge all Madison County PACT owners to join our grass roots organization.   Sign up either at [url=http://www.savealabamapact.com]www.savealabamapact.com[/url] or by calling me at 256-852-7817 or by emailing me at dhpeacher@gmail.com.  We need your help.

Donna H. Peacher]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-03-10T18:43:57Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1056.html#p1056</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1054.html#p1054"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[I have a quick question...I am not very familiar with the "hows and whys" of the legislature.  Please explain what is going on right now in the Senate..are we simply waiting on our bill to be brought up?  How do we know when this may happen?   Thanks]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[tmom]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user208.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-03-09T16:52:29Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1054.html#p1054</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1049.html#p1049"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[We've sent messages to all our membership (WHERE ARE THE OTHER 3,500 PACT OWNERS IN MADISON COUNTY?) as to the urgency of contacting as many senators as possible at once to try to save our PACTS.  We are down to the wire on this situation.  If you haven't done anything to help, it is very soon going to be too late.  If I can send out 4 mass emails and write messages to 15 senators (so far) in 2 days,  why can't you?  Do you want the entire program drawn to a halt  by lawsuits?  Do you want to pull your money out (at old rates) and suffer the lack of PACT tuition?  WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU WAITING FOR?]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-02-28T21:00:29Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1049.html#p1049</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1033.html#p1033"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Hey we had a very good, enthusiastic crowd at our meeting yesterday!  Patti, our state leader, gave us a very informative run-down about the "goings-on" in Montgomery.  Many people filled out our green post cards on the spot and we will carry them to Montgomery on Wednesday.  We'll attend the critical Education Appropriations Committee meeting at 9:30 am together with several other members and hand deliver around 50 PACT cards.  Many others promised to mail more.  Kudos to those who showed real dedication to our cause by coming to our meeting on Super Bowl Sunday.  We really appreciate the list of people who volunteered to help - a first.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-02-08T19:18:30Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1033.html#p1033</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1032.html#p1032"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[We've made up a "bunch" of green cards (a little lighter shade of green) for our Madison County Meeting on Feb 7, Huntsville Public Library, 2 PM.  These cards turned out very nicely and we placed the colored logo on the front upper middle.  Our only other change was on the back side, where we place our sort-of motto on the lower bottom center portion:  "It's for the children".   We're very pleased at how they turned out and will dispense them at the meeting.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-02-02T19:13:37Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1032.html#p1032</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1009.html#p1009"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[As we were told in Montgomery, "money is not the main problem - time is the issue".  It is vital that every PACT contract owner in Madison County join up NOW.  There are over 4000 of you in Madison County alone.  We need your help!  We must keep the pressure on the legislature during this critical session.  We must call, write letters, email or visit them with our requests for PACT to be honored.  Where are you when we need you?  Sign up on this website or at dhpeacher@gmail.com, or call me to join at 256-852-7817.  Don't let your child's college education slide away due to inactivity.
Help us!]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-01-13T21:37:49Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post1009.html#p1009</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post988.html#p988"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[To All Madison County Save Alabama PACT members:
 
 Those who have not responded, please let us know yes or no by Thursday AM as to whether or not you plan to go to Montgomery.. Some people may be caravanning.   There will be no "march" as we don't have permits.  We are to meet on the State House steps  9:00 AM - 10:00 AM.  A photo-op is planned.  We will enter the state house as a group at 10:00 AM.    Later we will have a very important statewide Save Alabama Pact meeting at the Dexter Avenue Methodist  Church (2 blocks from capitol).  We will have "legal people" there for questions and guidance in dealing with the "surprise" December 29 called PACT Board of Directors Meeting.
 
The official legislative session begins at 12:00 Noon.  While in the state house, we are encouraged to wander the state house halls and simply enter the various rooms containing our representatives, many of whom share offices.   We are to go in, introduce ourselves, and have a conversation about our need for legislative action to fund PACT fully.  I am told they welcome this sort of interaction and, of course, your phone calls.  
 
If you cannot go to Montgomery this time, please, please call or write letters to your representatives.  In case you don't still have it, the enclosed information contains names, addresses,and   phone numbers, that were handed out at our November 23  Madison County PACT meeting.  Form letters are not welcome.  You don't have to write but one or two lines to make a plea for PACT.  Handwritten letters get the most attention, but emails are good too.  It won't take you 10 minutes to sit down and write a line or two.  Is your child's future educational funding worth that?    And, as Patti Lambert, our president,  says, "whoever fixes the PACT funding problem has my vote".  
 
I attended the first Jackson /DeKalb County meeting of Save Alabama Pact last night and was happy to see so many come out in such frigid weather.   I was reminded at that meeting that the statewide Save Alabama Pact grassroots movement started with us conducting the first meeting in Alabama here in Madison County last July.  We've come a long way since that meeting and, of course, have a long way to go in reaching other contract owners.  Everywhere we go we are told that our power is in our numbers.  WE NEED TO REACH OUT AND FIND MORE MEMBERS!   
 
We are working on finding a place/date/time for our next Madison County meeting of Save Alabama PACT and will update you as soon as we have it pinned down.
 
Remember, it for the children.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-01-06T17:05:03Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post988.html#p988</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post987.html#p987"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Searching..... a person ("c........ Hon**cutt") has signed up with [url=http://www.savealabamapact.com]www.savealabamapact.com[/url]. They have forwarded her name and email address to us in Madison County to add to our local email membership.  The email address (.sci) is apparently not correct and we have no phone number.  I hope she recognizes the clues in this note and gets in touch with me at dhpeacher@gmail.com or 852-7817, so we can send her our email.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-01-06T17:01:24Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post987.html#p987</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post967.html#p967"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[A Madison County member recently wrote me the following:

"I was at the last meeting in Huntsville and I got the sense that no one wants to accept reponsibilty for the mess that the fund is in. I would not mind going to Momtgomery but if it is just to talk with a group of politicians who may or may not care about this cause then I feel that my time could be spent better at my job. If you can please give me a call at ******."

I responded with the following:

Thank you for your message.  I must say I understand your feeling as to this whole situation.  I have a similar personal opinion.  This trip will make my 6th to Montgomery.  Our leaders have been many more times.  It's like beating one's head against a stone wall at times.  I feel we have a hard row to hoe, however, I also feel determined not to give up. The State of Alabama needs to honor their contracts.   In my personal opinion, I feel we need to get tough with the politicians.  It is an election year and the time is near to begin to be blunt in expressing our views about the upcoming election.  I, again personally, feel that our only real clout is the election.  They need to know we mean business.  If I have to be blunt in Montgomery, I will.  Unfortunately, we have to talk to the politicians.  They have to know we are a threat to their re-election.  We need to present ourselves as a big crowd of upset people.  We need all the press we can get.  And, though it is time consuming and hard, we need to write, write, write to them.
 
Only you can determine if your time is better spent at your job.  Bear in mind, your child's future college education funding may be at stake.  

I didn't enjoy working on PACT activities all day until well after midnight on New Year's Eve and again all day today and this evening.  However, we have 5 PACTS for our grandchildren.  The first starts college in fall of 2010, the others later.  We have a lot of money tied up in our plans and we want to get what we paid for.  We plan to do whatever it takes to accomplish this, even if it means arm-twisting, sweet-talking, or raising hell in general.  Kay Ivey must not be allowed to get away with her sneaky, underhanded, immoral, and possibly illegal  activities.  

If you can come up with another plan, we are willing to listen and pass it along to our members and leaders.  We have begged for input, but haven't received much.
I'm afraid our biggest problem, is lack of interest by the PACT contract owners.  I'm not sure how in the world to light a fire under them.  We have a little less than 300 members in Madison county and there are 4000 PACT owners in this county alone.  It's as if they don't really care.

Having said all this, we certainly hope you can join us in Montgomery.  Progress is made in small increments.


Donna Peacher]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-01-02T01:54:18Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post967.html#p967</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post928.html#p928"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[I noticed in today's Huntsville Times the following:
 
"Just a few days before the opening of the Alabama Legislature's 2010 session, Madison County's legislative delegation will hold its annual public forum Jan. 4 from 7 to 9 pm in the Huntsville City Council Chambers at 308 Fountain circle.  Those who wish to speak on state and local issues will be able to sign up at 6:30 pm.  Speakers get three minutes.  For details, call the Madison County Legislative Office at 539-5441."
 
This looks like a golden opportunity to publicly lobby for PACT funding.  Thought one of you might like to make an appearance.  I'm going to try to go to the Scottsboro (Jackson County) first meeting of Pact on that date.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-12-07T17:52:01Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post928.html#p928</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post923.html#p923"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[The following is an interesting email from one of Madison County members.  it reflects what so many of us are thinking about these days.  If any of the rest of our membership wants an email posted, just send it to me at dhpeacher@gmail.com:


"We have three PACT contracts.  One has been exhausted, one is in use and there is one yet to begin in 2013. We'd sure like to know the plan is going to be around for all PACT owners to be able to make use of this great program. 
 
We appreciated the effort that went into the meeting last week. Too bad some of the more seasoned officials chose to direct their comments to re-election rather than current solutions.  Frankly, I expected nothing less from those who were really uncomfortable being there.  
 
I forget who said it but I recall one official boldly stating that they were 'right behind us' in our fight to preserve the program.  I'd feel better if they would commit to 'going before us, on our behalf' to help find a solution that does not raise taxes, diminish the value of the plan or otherwise affect people who will claim to have no interest in the future of PACT. 
 
I bet there is money ten-fold to preserve this if our government would spend OUR tax dollars as if it really was their earned income. 
 
Thanks again for your efforts. We're still debating our plans on what to do with contract #3. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Rick ******"]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-12-02T18:33:30Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post923.html#p923</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post914.html#p914"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[For all you folks who not have joined us yet, the following is an example of the emails we send to all our Madison County members:

Dear All,
We are really getting geared up for our meeting next Monday evening, from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church. Please enter from the St. Clair Avenue side.  We will have directional signs posted.   We already have received confirmations of attendance from all of our 7 Madison County State Representatives and 2 of our State Senators.  Invitations have also been sent to officials campaigning for the offices of State Treasurer and  Governor.  We expect to receive many more confirmations.   During the course of the evening you will be able to ask questions of these invited guests..
 
Remember, you will be receiving the latest information available on the status of our PACT contracts and new legislation being put forth.  We urge you to come to the meeting.  Bring your teenage children  and your supportive relatives and friends.  If you know someone who has a PACT, but has not stepped forward, please urge them to do so at this critical time before the next legislative session begins in January.  It doesn't cost anything and It is vital that we have as many members as possible in the upcoming 2010 election year.  Adding salt to our wounds, locally, we read the news today that UAH will require that all freshman entering their university in 2010 will be required to live on campus, at a cost of $4,600 per year.  Of course, this makes it even more vital that our PACT contracts survive.
 
We will have handouts for everyone, which include frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers.   Please sign in at a table(s) near the entrance.   All new PACT contract owners will be added to our membership roles and receive emails (addresses kept confidential) and other late information.  People who don't have or use computers will be sent all pertinent information by regular mail.  
 
We've been told that all 4 of the television news media will be in attendance, as well as our local Huntsville Times.  All radio stations have also been alerted.  We very much need for you to help us spread the word to friends, neighbors, churches, students, etc.  
 
We will all be wearing our green "Save Alabama PACT" T'shirts.  These shirts will be available for purchase, as well as bumper stickers (a great way to spread the word), sturdy yard signs, etc.   If you don't have one of these T-shirts, it would be very helpful, if you could wear something in the color green, but just remember, we want you there no matter what color you wear!   
 
In the meantime, try to think of ways you might help our grassroots movement.  All suggestions are very much welcome and appreciated.  We really need your help.
 Donna Peacher]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-11-18T15:38:30Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post914.html#p914</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: General Information]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post880.html#p880"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Folks Ted and I are taking a quick, much needed, one week vacation.  We'll be at the Montgomery meeting.  Please join us.  We must not stop until this battle is won.  Any information or questions can be sent to Chuck Gibb, Chairman of Madison County group, at cngdsg@comcast.net]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-10-23T15:59:37Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post880.html#p880</id>
		</entry>
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