1973 Years 382011 VOL. 38, No. 3 SERVING ANTHONY, VINTON, CANUTILLO, EAST MONTANA, HORIZON, SOCORRO, CLINT, FABENS, SAN ELIZARIO AND TORNILLO JANUARY 20, 2011 NEWSBRIEFS Rick Perry Lawsuit reform Gov. Rick Perry has urged lawmakers to sworn in maintain the principles that have helped Texas’ economy lead the nation, and to build upon previous improvements to the By Katherine Cesinger state’s legal system by further expanding Special to the Courier lawsuit reform. To keep Texas’ legal system accountable, transparent and AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry took the oath efficient, and maintain Texas’ competitive of office for his third full term as Texas’ economic position, the governor wants to 47th governor on Tuesday. In his inaugural expand lawsuit reform in Texas by: address, the governor celebrated the • Creating an early dismissal option for priorities that have helped make Texas the frivolous lawsuits; best state to live, work and raise a family, and • Ensuring victims of frivolous lawsuits committed to strengthening those principles do not bear the financial burden of to ensure the Lone Star State’s future defending themselves through the remains prosperous. creation of a “loser pays” system; “Throughout our • Ensuring new laws cannot create causes history, in good times of action unless expressly established by and bad, Texans have the Legislature; and endured by identifying • Setting up expedited trials and limited opportunities, counting discovery for lawsuits with claims the cost and outworking between $10,000 and $100,000. their competitors in – Katherine Cesinger the race for success,” Gov. Perry said. “As Coins we plant the seeds of The International Coin Club of El Paso, Gov. Rick Perry opportunity that bloom Inc. will hold its 48th Annual Coin Show beyond our years, we from February 18 to 20, 2011 at the El will show the world the endless possibilities Maida Shrine Center, 6331 Alabama of freedom and free enterprise, and make Street, El Paso. The show hours are 1:00 this century the Texas century.” – Photo by Alfredo Vasquez p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the 18th; 9 a.m. to Gov. Perry was joined at the inauguration GUARD THAT CARD – El Paso consumers can help protect themselves from fraud by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday the19th and 9:00 ceremony by veterans from various wars in being vigilant when using credit and debit cards. a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday the 20th. our nation’s history, including World War II, There will be over sixty tables of coin Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. In the spirit dealers anxious to buy and sell coins, of their individual sacrifices, the governor banknotes, tokens and medals. Dealers called on state leaders to remember that the Credit card skimming dedication of these brave heroes and their from Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Indiana, Pennsylvania and defense of our nation’s freedom are what Maine will be participating. For make it possible for lawmakers to serve the additional information call 915-533- usually goes undeteced people of Texas. 6001.The International Coin Club of The governor noted that while there El Paso, Inc. meets the 1st Monday of device before returning the card to the are difficult decisions to be made in the By Alfredo Vasquez cardholder. 82nd Legislative Session, the steps taken every month at the Travelodge Motel - Special to the Courier La Hacienda, 6400 Montana Avenue. A • A skimming device is added to the front of by lawmakers this year will help set business meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. with an ATM or gas pump and captures the credit Texas’ course for success in the future. coin talks and auction beginning around One of the most significant problems facing card information as the consumer attempts to By living within our means and upholding 7:00 p.m. Visitors are always welcome. the credit card industry is skimming, as it can use the machine. the principles that have kept our state – John Grost happen anywhere a credit card is accepted. • A skimming device is added inside an strong – low taxes, restrained spending, According to special agents of the U.S. ATM or gas pump and captures information predictable regulations, a fair legal system, Secret Service’s El Paso Resident Office, the during a valid transaction. In many cases a safe communities and accountable public Crime Stoppers best way for consumers to protect themselves covert camera is also set up to capture the schools – Texas will emerge even stronger, A central El Paso convenience store from skimming is by paying attention to the cardholders personal identification (PIN) remaining a national model for economic is burglarized. The El Paso Police details of credit card usage. number. success and accountable government. Department is asking for the public’s “Fraudulent transactions frequently occur To protect against these instances of “Texas is still the engine of America’s assistance in identifying the suspect within 24 to 48 hours of a compromise, but skimming, the Secret Service advises economy, and we’re proud to lead the nation through Crime Stoppers. On Wednesday, most cardholders are not aware that they have consumers to pay attention to their cards at in Fortune 1000 companies, international Oct. 13, 2010, at approximately 2:30 been victimized until they receive statements the point of sale. exports and job creation,” Gov. Perry said. a.m., the Howdy’s store located at 715 N. showing the fraudulent charges,” said “Watch to make sure your card is swiped “These jobs are more than just statistics, Stanton was burglarized. The suspect in Edwardo Garcia Resident Agent in Charge of only once at a register,” said Garcia. “Another they provide wealth and opportunity for our this case forced his way into the business the El Paso Resident Office. “That’s why one easy thing to do is to cover up your PIN citizens and families.” by smashing the front glass door with important step every individual can take is to number as you enter it into an ATM or credit The governor credited Texas’ comparative a rock. Once inside the suspect went to regularly review your credit card statements card reader.” success during these challenging economic the counter and moved one of the cash online.” The U.S. Secret Service was originally times to policies that have fostered an registers to the center of the counter. The When a credit card is skimmed, data on founded in 1865 for the purpose of suppressing environment that encourages job creation suspect then walked over to a second the card, including the account number, is the counterfeiting of U. S. currency. Over the and innovation. Additionally, he called register and placed it on top of the first. electronically transmitted or stored. The credit years it has grown into one of the premier on legislators to continue strengthening The suspect then grabbed cigarettes, card information can then be encoded onto a law enforcement organizations charged with Texas’ public and higher education systems picked up both cash registers and exited lost, stolen, or counterfeit credit card and used investigating financial crimes. The agency in order to ensure young Texans receive anywhere in the world. has taken a lead role in the emerging arena the education necessary to compete in the See BRIEFS, Page 8 Since there are legitimate uses for many of of cyber-crime, establishing partnerships with global workforce. the devices used to read or skim credit cards, the public and private sectors to address such “We must continue investing in paying attention to where you use your credit issues as protection of critical infrastructure, our people, developing young minds, The future is the time when folks will be cards can also help prevent fraud. Examples Internet intrusions and associated fraud. grooming and attracting the best and wishing they’d done all the things they of skimming instances include: If you suspect you may be a possible victim brightest in the fields of science and ain’t doin’ now! • A collusive store employee completes of skimming or other financial fraud, contact medicine, and giving individuals the tools — Quips & Quotes a valid sale, then captures a second local police and/or the U.S. Secret Service’s (unauthorized) swipe covertly on a portable El Paso Resident Office at (915) 532-2144. See PERRY, Page 2 Page 2 January 20, 2011 Veterans Post By Freddy Groves Ripchair: Mobility for disabled Vets Did you see the Discovery Portland Press-Herald, the Howe Channel episode on Howe and brothers said they’re not going Howe’s Ripchair? Mike and Geoff to make the Ripchairs for profit. Howe build high-tech toys for Instead, they’ll look for donations the military. Part of their arsenal and create a non-profit so they can includes a remote-controlled tank give the chairs away to disabled called the Ripsaw. For SWAT veterans. teams, they have the world’s Check the Internet for more smallest manned assault tank, the information. Use this as your Badger. Now they’ve built an all- search parameter: Ripchair Howe terrain wheelchair for disabled and Howe. And check this site: veterans. www.pressherald.com and put Think what that could mean Operation Enduring Mobility in for a disabled veteran who wants the search box on the right side. to get into the woods for a little Also check them out at www. fishing, or anything else. howeandhowetechnologies.com The bottom of the Ripchair – don’t miss the demonstration is similar to the treads on a tank videos of their other equipment. but with bigger teeth to grab Want to send a donation to help dirt and forge ahead. It runs on get their non-profit off the ground a 30-horsepower diesel engine, so they can start giving Ripchairs climbs hills up to 50 degrees and to disabled veterans? Send a check runs at 10 mph.