FranzExpress Copy & Parcel announcement

Hello to my fellow business persons and dear friends!

It is with sadness and joy that I am announcing the closing of FranzExpress Copy & Parcel Depot but the continuance of many of the services you have come to know and value within our great city of Lincoln. On Oct. 30 I will cease operations of the copy-pack-and-ship business located in Einstein’s at 201 S. Sangamon, and on Nov. 1 AMP Studios will reopen the copy-pack-ship business in its current location.

Ten years ago I started the copy-pack-ship business to bring an asset to Lincoln. I know that FranzExpress was and has been a valued asset to our community. I am confident that you will appreciate and value the same services being offered by AMP Studios and Adam May. We have worked tremendously hard this last month finalizing plans to painlessly transition services without losing any days of operation.

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What am I going to do? In 1996 UPS went on strike and almost put me out of business....  so I diversified. I started an Internet-based print order website in late 1996 and have slowly grown that branch of the business as well as the technology to make e-commerce shopping as easy as possible. I will continue to work locally full time administrating www.carbonless.net/carbcart offering my graphics services, vinyl and magnetic signage, and applications.

I want to thank each of you for your support, patronage, encouragement and kind words that have brought me from a small operation in a cornfield in Illinois to a national and international business that is located in our own city of Lincoln. It has been the people of Lincoln and Logan County that enabled FranzExpress to grow and become what it has today.

God bless you! Thank you, people of Lincoln!!

Kevin Franz

(Posted 10-18-04)

Illinois a leader in addressing immigrant and refugee needs

Dear Editor:

The Illinois Department of Human Services invites the public to celebrate Immigrant and Refugee Week Oct. 18-22 and United Nations Day Oct. 24. It is a time to honor our ancestors and welcome the thousands of new Americans who make Illinois their home each year. Their cultural diversity, indefatigable work ethic and commitment to family strengthen us as a state and as a nation.

More than 125,000 refugees from 45 countries have reclaimed their lives in Illinois. Through the department's partnership with the private sector, a cost-effective comprehensive range of culturally responsive, community-based services -- including English language training and job placement, health and mental health, youth and senior programs -- have facilitated the refugees' adaptation to life in America. In a remarkably short time most have become economically self-sufficient and socially self-reliant.

Illinois continues to welcome those who seek rescue from persecution. The most recent example is in Darfur, Sudan, where more than 1 million refugees have been forced from their homes into squalid camps. As a result of this tragedy, more than 300 "Lost Boys" from Sudan have come to Illinois and are thriving, productive members of our community.

We salute our partners in resettlement throughout the state. With the support of churches, synagogues and hundreds of volunteers, the resettlement agencies perform extraordinary work in welcoming new refugee arrivals.

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Twenty percent of Illinois residents are immigrants or the children of immigrants. More than 600,000 are naturalized citizens who earned their citizenship with pride and dedication. The Illinois Department of Human Services Refugee and Immigrant Citizenship Initiative, through the efforts of 35 schools and community-based organizations, has assisted more than 100,000 foreign-born from 106 countries with learning English, studying U.S. history and valuing civic participation.

Under the leadership of Gov. Blagojevich, the naturalization endeavor will expand dramatically through the New Americans Initiative. The collaboration of IDHS, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights will enable 20,000 additional individuals per year to achieve the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

IDHS is proud of its role in making Illinois a leader nationwide in addressing the needs of refugees and immigrants. It is not often cited, but 1 million residents left Illinois in the past 20 years. They have been replaced by immigrants who have sustained our labor force, contributed billions of dollars in taxes and enriched the cultural diversity of our state. Join us in celebration.

Sincerely,
Grace Hou
Assistant Secretary
Illinois Department of Human Services

(Posted 10-16-04)

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Lincoln AMVETS alerts public to scam      

It has recently come to the attention of the local Lincoln AMVETS Post 71 that a scam is being solicited in our area under the name of "American Veterans," via the telephone.

The AMVETS name is a shortened version of the true name of "American Veterans," and we wish to convey to one and all that the AMVETS are not soliciting for funds in this or any other area.

The group that is soliciting is claiming to help homeless veterans. They are calling homes and requesting credit card donations. The president of the group is apparently Robert Friend Jr. If people check their caller ID, it may read "Safety Programs-717-234-2635." This is a nonworking number.

Robert Friend is the president of American Veterans Coalition, based in Gig Harbor, Wash. The website with his information is http://www.american-veterans.org/OnlineRequestAssistance.html. Another report on this group, which has several aliases, may be found at http://www.give.org/reports/nondissql.asp?798.

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This is not an official VA-recognized veterans service organization.

In response to a recent inquiry, a Lincoln citizen was advised not to donate to this organization even though they answered her question with yes, some of the funds will be returned to the local AMVETS organization. None have been received, nor will they be received.

AMVETS Post 71 recommends that if you receive such a call, just hang up the telephone.

Arnold Haak
Commander
Lincoln AMVETS Post 71

(Posted 10-15-04)