Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports ballots for the February 2nd, 2016 SPECIAL SCHOOL ELECTION for the CAM Community School District public measure are now available at the Cass County Auditor’s office. If you are a resident of the CAM Community School District and are unable to go to the voting center on February 2nd, 2016, you may vote by mail by sending a request for an absentee ballot to the Cass County Auditor’s office. Or, you may stop and vote at the County Auditor’s office during office hours: 8 a.m. thru 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

CAM School District Public Measure included on the ballot:

PUBLIC MEASURE A

” Shall the Board of Directors of the CAM Community School District in the Counties of Cass, Adair, Adams and Audubon, State of Iowa, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years, to levy annually, as determined by the Board, a voter-approved physical plant and equipment property tax not to exceed One Dollar and Thirty-four cents ($1.34) per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district, to be used for the purchase and improvement of grounds; the construction of schoolhouses or buildings and opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings; the purchase, lease, or lease-purchase of a single unit of equipment or technology exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) in value per purchase, lease, or lease-purchase transaction; the payment of debts contracted for the erection or construction of schoolhouses or buildings, not including interest on bonds; procuring or acquisition of library facilities; repairing, remodeling, reconstructing, improving, or expanding the schoolhouses or buildings and additions to existing schoolhouses; expenditures for energy conservation; the rental of facilities under Chapter 28E; purchase of transportation equipment for transporting students; the purchase of buildings or lease-purchase option agreements for school buildings; equipment purchases for recreational purposes; payments to a municipality or other entity as required under section 403.19, subsection 2; demolition, cleanup, and other costs if such costs are necessitated by, and incurred within two years of a disaster as defined in section 29C.2, subsection 4 or any other purpose approved hereafter by law? ”

The CAM COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT consists of Cass, Adams, Adair and Audubon counties. The polls will open at NOON Feb. 2nd and close at 8:00 P.M. The election is “AT LARGE,” meaning that all residents of the entire school district may vote for all school offices and public measures.

ELECTION DAY VOTING CENTERS:

ANITA VOTING CENTER: Voters residing in that portion of the CAM Community School District residing in Grant, Benton, Franklin or Lincoln Township in Cass County or in Adair County or Audubon County will vote at the ANITA COMMUNITY CENTER (805 Main St., Anita).

CUMBERLAND VOTING CENTER: Voters residing in that portion of the CAM Community School District residing in Union, Bear Grove, Noble or Edna Township in Cass County or in Adams County will vote at the CUMBERLAND COMMUNITY BLDG (200 W 2nd, Cumberland).

MASSENA VOTING CENTER: Voters residing in that portion of the CAM Community School District residing in Massena or Victoria Township in Cass County or in Adams County will vote at the MASSENA PUBLIC LIBRARY in Massena (122 Main St., Massena).

And, the ABSENTEE Voting Center is the Cass County Auditor’s Office at the Cass County Courthouse, in Atlantic.

Nobody enjoys taking items back and doing so, at times, after the holidays can be especially burdensome. Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Nebraska, South Dakota, The Kansas Plains and Southwest Iowa has tips to reduce gift return distress.

Jim Hegarty, BBB President and CEO, says “Returning holiday gifts may not be your favorite activity, but knowing store policies and planning ahead can reduce the stress. You’ll help yourself and gift recipients if you find out how a store handles returns before you buy. It’s always better to ask about the policy than to assume you know.”

Remember: Stores aren’t legally required to accept items for refund, exchange, or credit unless goods were defective or misrepresented. Some stores provide refunds, while others only issue store credits. A few stores consider all sales to be final. Seasonal stores may have limited hours after the holidays, making it awkward to return unwanted items.

Additionally, while merchants are required to accept returns in only certain situations, some states have laws governing the disclosure of refund and return policies. State refund and return laws for the states in this BBB’s region are:

Nebraska: There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. Whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies.

Iowa: There’s no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements. If retailers don’t accept returns they must disclose it.

BBB tips can help shoppers avoid post-holiday frustration:

– Ask the store about its return policy. Can a customer obtain a refund, a store credit, or exchange unwanted merchandise? How long is the period when returns are allowed? Some stores have extended return periods for gifts, while others limit returns to a week or less after the item is purchased.

– Ask for a gift receipt and enclose it with the gift. Don’t remove electronics or similar products from their boxes before wrapping. The original packaging may be required for a return. In some cases, such as DVDs or music CDs, the package must remain sealed.

– Don’t assume that regular return policies apply to sale or clearance items. Some merchants consider the sale of such items to be final, so ask before buying. If you are the gift recipient, do not assume you have the right to return or exchange an unwanted gift. Like the shopper, you are bound by the merchant’s return policy. Health regulations, which can prohibit the return of hats and intimate apparel, also may apply.

– Ask about restocking fees. Some merchants charge a restocking or “open box” fee for returns of electronic products or large-ticket items. A restocking fee can be as high as 25 percent of the purchase price.

– Look for a posted return policy when shopping online. If returns are permitted, ask what procedures and time frames need to be followed. Find out whether shipping fees are charged for returning items and whether shipping costs or restocking fees are deducted from the price of returned items.

– Save your receipt. Keep items in their original packaging and leave tags on clothing. If you remove the price or black it out on the tag, try to leave the item number or bar code visible as it will make it easier for a store to process the return.

– Time your returns to avoid hassles. Return lines can be lengthy the day after Christmas, but don’t wait too long to return items. Pick a time when the store is unlikely to be crowded, and be polite when talking to customer service clerks. If you are a regular customer or have a store credit account, mention that as you discuss return options. Merchants are usually willing to accommodate loyal customers.

Consumers can learn how to protect themselves or find BBB Business Reviews and BBB Charity Reviews by calling 800-649-6814 or by going online to www.bbbinc.org.

The Creston Police Department has been busy with numerous, recent arrests. Officials say early this (Monday) morning, 26-year old Ivan Froit, of Creston, was arrested on charges that include Interference with Official Acts and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was later released from the Union County Jail on $300 bond.

On Sunday, Creston Police arrested 34-year old Nicholas Foltz, of Mt. Ayr, for OWI/1st Offense. He was later released on a $1,000 bond. Saturday, Creston Police arrested 33-year old Candace Russell, of Creston, for OWI/1st Offense, and 30-year old John Foster, of Creston, who was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a warrant for Failure to Serve sentence on a charge of Public Intoxication/2nd offense. Foster was being held in the jail until his sentence is served. Russell was later released on $1,000 bond.

Friday night, Creston Police arrested 45-year old Steven Sellers, of Creston, on a charge of 5th degree Theft. Sellers was cited and released on a Promise to Appear later, in court. 20-year old Tyler White, of Creston, was arrested Friday afternoon on a charge of 5th degree Theft, and 33-year old Faith Barnes, of Creston, was arrested Friday morning, also for 5th degree Theft. White and Barnes were subsequently released on a Promise to Appear later, in court.