Has Your Supplement Arrived?

Customers of NATCO and Yelcot should have received a "supplement" to the 2000 Ozark Regional telephone directory in the mail. Its appearance is similar to the original phone book - blue-purple with a photo of geese - but it says SUPPLEMENT on the cover and is thinner. Please keep it with your 2000 Ozark Regional Directory using the metal ring supplied to you.

The supplement was printed to correct Mountain Home "white pages" telephone numbers. The Berry Company omitted many of the Mountain Home numbers when it printed your directory in August. This is the first time The Berry Company has published the NATCO directory, and company officials tell NATCO the problem occurred as they were making a major changeover in computer graphics equipment.

A letter from The Berry Company appears on the back cover and also as the first page of the supplement and explains the purpose of the supplement along with an apology for inconveniencing NATCO and Yelcot customers.

If you did not receive a supplement or would like additional directories or supplements call 1-800-775-6682.
 

'Slammed' by a Long Distance Company?

Have you been slammed? You'll know when you receive your long distance telephone bill.

A "slam" is when a long distance company with no authority to bill you charges you for long distance calls - instead of the long distance company you did choose. Put another way, slamming is an unauthorized change in your PIC (preferred interexchange carrier).

New regulations have recently come into effect which give state utility commissions (Arkansas Public Service Commission for Arkansas) the authority to investigate and order refunds to customers who were slammed. The rule changes have come from the Federal Communications Commission.

If you receive a bill from a long distance company that was not authorized to bill you, do not pay the bill. There is a 30-day period after the unauthorized change was made during which the customer is not responsible for any charges. This is called 30-day absolution. If you have already paid the bill, any refund found to be due will be restricted to one-half the amount billed. (Under some conditions you may be able to receive more than the 50 percent refund.)

Besides not paying the bill, report to NATCO that you suspect you were slammed. NATCO will tell you about the 30-day absolution period and advise you not to pay the bill and will refer you to the Arkansas Public Service Commission. In addition, NATCO will notify the authorized preferred carrier and identify the unauthorized preferred carrier. NATCO will also notify the unauthorized carrier and identify the authorized carrier.

Under the new regulations, the Arkansas PSC may order the unauthorized carrier to remove all unpaid charges from the customer's bill for the first 30 days after the slam. The PSC will determine if an unauthorized change has occurred. If the unauthorized carrier does not respond or provide proof that the change was authorized and verified, the failure to respond will be evidence of an unauthorized change. The PSC will order the long distance carrier doing the slamming to refund or reimburse the customer according to the regulations in place. The unauthorized carrier will also have to pay the preferred carrier change charge in the event of a slam, both the charge for changing the customer to the unauthorized carrier and for returning the customer to the authorized carrier.

There are further regulations pending that apply to using e-signatures (consent supplied over the Internet) as letters of authorization for selecting a preferred carrier. For instance, use of an e-signature must comply with all provisions of the October 1, 2000, E-Sign Act, and cannot be the only option available to consumers. An Internet letter of authorization must also be on a separate screen from any solicitations for a carrier's service and must contain only the authorizing language approved by the FCC.

Consumers are allowed to have a third-party verify any preferred carrier change and to speak with a live person on the telephone at any time during an automated third-party verification system call.

Joe Hudson Named IT Manager

Joe Hudson has joined Northern Arkansas Telephone Company as Manager of Information Technology. Hehas worked with NATCO on a contractual basis since the mid-1980s as the owner of COMPASS, a computer business in Mountain Home. Others may know him as a member of the Arkansas General Assembly, when he was District 40 State Representative for two terms, 1995 - 98.

Hudson, who began work at NATCO in December, is responsible for all NATCO in-house computer systems, billing, company data bases and accounting software, according to NATCO President Steven G. Sanders. "I look forward to working with a company that stays on the leading edge of technology," Hudson stated.

A native of Newton County, Hudson graduated from Jasper High School, earned his bachelor's degree in business administration at Southwest Baptist College at Bolivar, Mo., and a master's degree in political science at Arkansas State University at Jonesboro. Hudson has served as a director of the Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce and on its Transportation Committee. He enjoys golf and is a member of the Mountain Home Baptist Church.

While serving in the state legislature, Hudson used his professional knowledge to help establish the Information Network of Arkansas, served as a board member of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority, and helped establish a demonstration project for distance learning (interactive video classrooms) in Arkansas schools. The Arkansas Municipal League awarded Rep. Hudson the Distinguished Service Award for making government information more accessible to the public. Hudson had leadership roles in obtaining the first $600,000 appropriation for Arkansas State University Mountain Home and organizing the Regional Highway 412 Committee.

Joe and Frances Hudson are parents of two grown children, Lisa Hudson Thompson of Memphis, Tenn., and Justin Hudson of Springfield, Mo. Mrs. Hudson has worked at CenturyTel for 10 years. Joe Hudson can be reached at NATCO, 1-800-775-6682, ext. 274 or by e-mail using the address jhudson@natconet.com.

Dr. Ed Coulter (left), chancellor of Arkansas State University Mountain Home is shown with Georgia Elrod (right) of Siloam Springs, chairman of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The board was in the area for its quarterly meeting Oct. 20, and NATCO was pleased to help welcome the higher education leaders to the area.

Higher Education Leaders Welcomed

NATCO was one of the hosts for the fall meeting of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board October 20 in Mountain Home. Among those present at the meeting were Arkansas Higher Education Director Lu Hardin, Arkansas State University President Les Wyatt, and Chairman of the ASU Board of Directors, Jim Pickens.

The higher education leaders met at the ASUMH campus and discussed issues such as state funding for two-year colleges and new programs to be offered at Arkansas colleges. The board consists of 12 members who are appointed by the governor and serve staggered six-year terms. Georgia Elrod of Siloam Springs is serving as chairman of the 12-member board.

Other host sponsors were Gaston's White River Resort, Ranger Boats, First National Bank and Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce.

Yellow Page Ad Sales Begin

Attention, business owners! The time is here to reserve your advertising in this year's Ozark Regional Directory's yellow pages.

Account executives from our publisher, The Berry Company, of Lincoln, Nebraska, will start conducting sales by telephone in March, and will continue until June 2001.

If you wish to have an account executive visit your business, please check with us between March 15th and May 1st. Call 1-800-775-6682.

The account executives serving NATCO will be: Mic Atchety, Jim Vaughn, Jackie Matulka, Andy Jakub and Chris Vaughn.

Spotlight: Bailey Law Firm

Bailey Law Firm in Mountain Home expends fewer resources on legal research now than it once did because the Internet has what lawyers need - court opinions. Now that Attorney at Law Frank H. Bailey utilizes the high bandwidth of DSL's "always on" Internet service from NATCO, downloading the research he needs is faster and simpler, resulting in even more efficiency.

"Recently, I needed to see a case from Ohio," Bailey recalls. "I found it and printed it within two minutes."

More often, it would be a case file from a nearby city, such as Fayetteville, Jonesboro, or Little Rock, or a nearby state. Prior to the digital information revolution, Bailey would have to request that the opinion be copied, then mailed or faxed to his office. The "always on" DSL Internet at the Bailey Law Firm means a lot fewer trips away from home and quicker access to records.

Before DSL was installed at his office on Hospital Drive in Mountain Home, even the Internet research was a lot slower than it is now. Relying on his own observations, Bailey says DSL is about 10 times faster than his previous Internet access. NATCO offers DSL in Mountain Home, in Flippin, and soon will offer it in Bull Shoals.

Some businesses and individuals choose DSL service over cable Internet because while cable provides some increase in speed, DSL provides speed and superior security for customers. A DSL phone/Internet line goes directly to the customer. As such, it is not shared with others as Internet over cable is. DSL's direct line also provides reliable speed directly to one customer, with no slowdowns due to higher Internet traffic at some times of the day or evening.

Bailey Law Firm concentrates on medical malpractice litigation, although the firm does also accept serious injury and death cases. Experienced in medical malpractice cases, Bailey has prevailed in the courtroom for his clients, winning verdicts with damages of as much as a million dollars.

The Bailey Law Firm staff consists of Bailey, Legal Secretary Terry Wilkins, and Office Manager Becky Nowlin.

Frank Bailey's career as a trial lawyer began in 1974 after he graduated from the Univer-sity of Arkansas Law School at Fayetteville. In 1988, Bailey became one of the few Board Certified Civil Trial Advocates in Arkansas by successfully completing the day-long exam given by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In 1997, Bailey became a Fellow of the National College of Advocacy by completing over 200 hours of continuing legal education. Recently, Bailey attended the Medical Skills College held in Safety Harbor, Fla.

Bailey feels honored to have been appointed by Gov. Mike Huckabee three times to sit on the Arkansas Supreme Court when one of the regular justices had a conflict in a specific case.

Frank and his wife, Pat, live in Mountain Home, where she is Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Arkansas State University Mountain Home.

Spotlight: Clark Office Products

Within weeks of going online with their new Web site, Clark Office Products began receiving inquiries and feedback from around the country. "We were surprised," says Sam Clark, general manager.

Their Web site works as a gateway to information about the many products they sell, including office equipment, furniture and supplies. The site was originally conceived as a way to offer better service, 24 hours a day, to their existing customers. An order form on the site allows current customers with a catalogue in hand to place an order directly online. For customers with open accounts, no additional information is necessary.

But what Clark found was that their site attracted more than just local customers. Inquiries and bid requests - submitted using the bid request form on the site have been submitted from around the country. "Mostly, we've received inquiries from manufacturers who want bid requests," Sam says. "We didn't expect to receive bid requests from outside the area."

While Clark's Web site focuses on the kind of superior customer service Clark's customers expect, Sam says they've also received positive feedback from their vendors. "One supplier looked at our site and wrote to say he liked it," he says. That e-mail came from Dwayne Cox at United Chair - whose swivel task chair is the current special. He writes, "I was just looking at your Web page - it looks great! It is great that you guys spent the time, effort and money to create this outlet for your customers."

Another unique feature on the Clark Office Products site is an "E-mail Specials" service. A customer can sign up to be alerted, by e-mail, when Clark is offering a new special on office equipment, furniture or supplies.

Sam says he realized the Internet was "the coming thing," and wanted to take advantage of the Internet's 24-hour availability. "I'm pleased with our Web site," he says.

The Clark Office Products site, which is available online at www.clarkop.com, was designed by Brooks-Jeffrey Marketing, Inc., a NATCO Technologies partner. It is hosted by NATCO Technologies, which hosts Web sites for businesses, organizations, or individuals located anywhere in the United States. Being the first area Internet Service Provider to support virtual domains, NATCO Technologies can provide distinctive Web site and e-mail addresses. Web site owners also receive traffic reports, access to a CGI-bin directory, regular back-ups, and a free online yellow page link. Choose one of our eight Web site hosting packages. For details, call us at 1-800-775-6682.

Adults' Soccer League Takes Field

South Shore area kids have done it - started to play soccer, by the hundreds. Now it is the adults' turn. South Shore Soccer Association is forming an adult league to play Tuesday nights at Hickey Park in Flippin, from 6 - 8 p.m. An Under 19 league is also being formed to play on Thursday nights at Hickey Park in Flippin, 6 - 8 p.m. Anyone in either of these age groups who wants to take part may call.

Success of the South Shore Soccer Association for area youth seems to be unlimited and the opportunities for adults to help out also approach the "unlimited" level, said Dave Duckworth, SSSA president. "We have the kids that want to play, so we need the support of more individuals in the community." Volunteers are needed to expand the ranks of coaches, referees, and sponsors, and to help with fund-raising activities in the spring and a possible soccer camp in the summer.

For those youngsters who are totally interested in competitive soccer, the SSSA is hoping to take some players to the Olympic Development Tryouts next fall. It is primarily an opportunity for anyone born in 1985, although those born before 1985 may also attend. There are four rounds of tryouts, Duckworth said, culminating in selecting a regional team. "It is a big step in the college scholarship process," Duckworth added, with players needing their coaches' recommendations. More information will be released as the tryout time approaches.

Officers of the South Shore Soccer Association are:
David Duckworth, president
Roger Leonard, vice president
Shawn Dennis, secretary
Lorna LeCompte, treasurer
Diane Duckworth, registrar
Wes Due, coaches coordinator
Susie Jones, public relations
Pat Gallagher, concessions and fund raising
Dan McManus, field & equipment coordinator
Chris Carter, youth development

Call 870-453-SSSA (7772) or write to P.O. Box 1600, Flippin, AR 72634

History Book Project Grant Received

Author Robert E. Harper is shown (seated, right) with Foundation Trustees Ed Coulter (seated, left) and Jodie Jeffrey-Sanders (standing, left) and Bull Shoals Historical Society President Jim Creek (standing, right).

The Bull Shoals Historical Society received a $6,440 grant from the South Shore Foundation to cover the costs of printing and publishing a history of the town of Bull Shoals. South Shore Foundation Board of Trustees approved the grant at a recent quarterly meeting.

The History of Bull Shoals: The Best Little Town by a Dam Site was written by Robert E. Harper in conjunction with the Bull Shoals Historical Society. It contains 240 pages with about 72 photographs and can be purchased for $15 from the historical society at P.O. Box 150, Bull Shoals, AR 72619 or by calling Harper at 870-445-4750. All proceeds go to benefit the historical society. The book was printed by Enterprise Printing at Bull Shoals.

Jim Creek, president of the Bull Shoals Historical Society, said the organization was seeking the grant to help preserve local culture and history for future generations. He said it will be useful for student projects, genealogy research, or simply for "a historical buff attempting to locate facts about our legendary past."

The historical society was formed in 1999 and has prepared historical displays at the Marion County Library, Bull Shoals Fire Station, City Hall, plus exhibits for the Fourth of July celebration and Bull Shoals Firemen's Appreciation Day.

South Shore Foundation is the charitable foundation of Northern Arkansas Telephone Co. The foundation makes grants to nonprofit agencies to advance education, preserve the environment, develop the local economy, and assist in community betterment. NATCO President Steven G. Sanders chairs the board of trustees of the foundation. For more information or a grant application, call 870-453-3333.

South Shore Foundation's Web site is www.southshore.com.

Flippin's Own South Shore Strikers

These athletes are part of Flippin's first year soccer program under the South Shore name. The Strikers won third place in the West Plains tournament in the fall. They plan on attending more tournaments this spring. Pictured are (top row, left to right) Michael Leonard, J.C. Stillwell, Jordan Dennis, William Baker, Cody Dennis, Jonathan Shrable, (Bottom row, left to right) Max Jackson, Ryan Eastwold, Devin Henry, Stehrin Butcher and Brett Rorie. Not pictured is Clay Hudson. Head coach is Cindi Eastwold and assistant coach is Roger Leonard.

Web Sites of Interest

On NATCO's Web site - www.southshore.com/useful.htm, many sites of interest are hot linked for easy access. Various subjects and sources of information are listed and updated frequently.

www.southshore.com

South Shore's site features tourism, relocation and business information for communities in or near the south shore of Bull Shoals Lake. The site includes driving tours, online calendar of events, maps, online yellow page links and news from the South Shore Foundation, the nonprofit economic development organization funded by NATCO.

www.natconet.com

NATCO's Web site features NATCO News newsletter online, current news about the telephone company and detailed information on the digital services offered.

At www.natconet.com/newsletter/ you can find our new electronic newsletter for Internet customers.

www.natconet.com | www.natcotech.com | www.southshore.com

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