CAMPUS AND AREA
University Daily Kansan, January 27. 1984 Page 8
Legislators hear comments on bad-check bills
By LORI DODGE
Staff Reporter
TOPEKA — A House committee yesterday heard testimony on a bill that would make it possible for people who receive bad checks to recover the amount of the check, and up to double amount, through small claims courts.
Bad checks are now recovered through criminal courts and collection agencies.
Small claims procedures involve only cases where the party filing the claim
MOST OF THE testimony the Judiciary Committee heard was against the bill. Several speakers, including Sherlyn Sampson, clerk of the district court and Jodi Agron, said bad check cases through small claims would burden the county courts and
cause a flood of paperwork for the clerks.
They also said the system used now to collect on bad checks was sufficient.
But Frances Kastner, director of governmental affairs for the Kansas Food Dealers' Association, favored the bill.
"Any method or tool made available to retailers for recovering money due them because of bad checks is going to help the honest customer." she said.
Kastner cited statistics of a four-store corporation in a metropolitan area that had to plan on setting aside about $45,000 each year to cover bad checks until their collection agency could collect the money.
Even then, she said, over $17,000 in bad checks in 1983 were not collectable.
'IN TURN, this is figured into the
prices of goods sold to honest people
in New York.'
check could sue the writer of the check through small claims action and recover the amount of the check in addition to a civil penalty of not less than the amount and not more than twice the amount of the check.
Do you do not write bad checks, she said.
Under the bill, the receiver of a bad
Several persons argued that people who wrote bad checks generally did so because they didn't have the money and therefore, would not be able to pay the penalties, let alone the check's amount.
The committee also heard testimony
from one woman in a bill that would create a
class FEFF.
A worthless check written for less than $100 would be a class EF felony, punishable by a term of not more than two years and a fine of not more than $2,500.
THE BILL WOULD make giving a worthless check for $100 or more a class E felony that would be punishable by imprisonment in a state prison and a
fine of not more than $5,000. Writing a bad check now is a class E felony if it's written for more than $50.
The bill caught criticism from speakers who said the bill would not make any difference.
Jim Clark, director of County and District Attorneys Association, said a class EE felony would necessitate preliminary hearings and increase the workload and expenditures of the court system.
He said that defendants in class EE felonies would generally be indigent and have appointed attorneys, increasing expenditures for the state.
A member of the committee, State Rep. Arthur Douville, R-Overland Park, said he didn't expect the bills to be successful, especially after the critical testimonies the bills received yesterday.
Planning Commission recommends rezoning
By the Kansan Staff
the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission recommended last night that 5.2 acres of land be built on the land. An office park could be built on the land.
ine "Walden Pond" office park would be south of Clinton Parkway near Crestline Drive. A developer of the park expects to start the project some time this year and have it half completed by August.
Developer Harry Rosenberg of Iowa Street Associates said the project would cost $8 million to $1.5 million and would create about 250 jobs in Law-
Rosenberg said that the city's planning staff and residents in the area were among those who volunteered.
Rezoning of the land will be up for approval by the Lawrence City Com-
munity.
The park would have 112,000 square
feet of corporate office space surround by pooled air; the would enter back into the office.
if the rezoning is approved by the city, the developer can begin contacting offices and financial institutions to locate in the park.
The planning commission also approved a request to withdraw the land for the park from the existing zoning regulations, and it has been required as required for the land to be rezoned
The commission also deferred action or changes in the zoning ordinances for the development of the project.
In other action, the commission deferred acting on the final plot of the ST Lawrence Catholic Center upon request of the developer of the property.
Senate to take final vote today on insurance-tax bill
By United Press International
TOPEKA — Bills that would give the state a one-time $22 million windfall and do away with references to illegitimate children in state law won tentative approval by the Senate Wednesday.
Final votes on the legislation are set for today.
With little discussion, the upper chamber endorsed a bill requested by Gov. John Carlin that would ease the state's cash-flow problem this spring. The governor said premium taxes to be remitted to the state twice a year instead of once.
The semi-annual remittance would result in a $22 million, one-time windfall for the state this fiscal year, which ends June 30. The first payment would be June 15 and the second payment Dec. 15.
Sen, Paul Hess, R-Wichita, told
lawmakers the plan was one of the "chips" Carlin had to relieve the cash-flow problem. Last year, the Legislature took a number of similar steps involving accelerated tax remittances and delayed payments to local governments to help stave off a financial crisis.
Another bill endorsed by the Senate would create the Kansas Parentage Act, which would grant equal legal status to children regardless of the marital status of their parents. Words such as "illegitimate" would not be used to describe a child born outside marriage, said Sen. Elwaine Pomeroy, R-Topeka.
In addition, the bill for the first time would give unwed fathers visitation rights and the right to seek custody of their child. Current law does not allow unwed parents father only if the mother admits the father only if the mother admits the father, said Pomery.
Group for intellectual elite may get a KU branch
By MARY SEXTON Staff Reporter
Mensa, an international organization whose members' scholastic test scores rank in the top 2 percent of the general population, is hoping to open a branch at the University of Kansas, the group's coordinator said recently.
"It's a chance to get together socially with people on the same intellectual level as yourself," said Maggi Carter, Kansas City, Mo., senior and coordinator for what will become Mensa's KU branch.
The group had a chapter on campus 12 years ago, but it lasted only three years, she said. The KU group didn't have the same experience; they have as many members as it does now.
IN 1972, the organization claimed
18,000 members in the United States.
Told that it was "the largest" organization
The only requirement to join Mensa is to score higher than 98 percent on a standardized scholastic test, said Marlene Mensa, executive director in New York.
Mensa members have the opportunity to join any number of "special interest groups." The KU group will be called Academy and will be a branch of the Kansas City chapter of Menza, Carter said. Academ will be open to employees and students of the University.
"I've gotten some real positive feedback so far. I think it's one of those things that if you qualify you're good," Carter said. "Carter said, 'I think there are a lot of
Carter, who is also a member of the Kansas City chapter, said she was interested in starting the branch because Mensa already had 25 members from Lawrence but no local chapter.
very intellectual people at KU who would qualify."
"It's not going to be an organization that requires a lot of time," she said. "I don't think there's a place for that kind of air at KU where people are so busy."
SOME PEOPLE HAVE a difficult time understanding why anyone would want to belong to a group with such an elite membership. Carter said.
"It's something that sets you apart from other people," she said. "I wanted to be a lawyer."
Seitelman said, "If it's elitist, it's the most democratic elective association I
know of, because intelligence is the only criteria. Every organization has some criteria for membership."
It costs $30 to join and $30 each year in dues, she said.
APPLICANTS must show Mensa the results of an authorized scholastic test, she said. The list of authorized tests for deciding membership include the Scholastic Aptitude Test and the Medical College Admission Test.
Carter said that people who hadn't already taken one of the tests could take a proctored test given by Mid-America Mensa.
The charge for that test is $15, she said. And when enough people show an interest, the agency will give them a chance.
a kick-off meeting for anyone interested in joining is planned for Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m., at Ichabod's Tavern in North Lawrence.
Make a weekend of it at The University of Kansas February 4 & 5... we've got everything from Bach to Basketball!
Chamber Music Series: Canada's Orford String Quartet, in concert, 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, Crafton-Preyer Theatre, Murphy Hall; tickets on sale at the Murphy Hall Box Office, 913/864-3982.*
Women's Basketball: The Lady Jayhawks meet Colorado, 2 p.m. saturday, Feb. 4.
*Spencer Museum of Art: "Diane Arbus. In Print 1960-1971"; "Paris and Modern Art from the Alex Hillman Family Collection"; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4; 1-4:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 5.*
Men's Basketball: The Jayhawks meet Wichita State, 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 5.
A University Arts Festival Presentation
Dinner at the Eldridge House Affordable Gourmet Selections
THE ELDRIDGE HOUSE
ENTREES
All dinners are served with Eldridge House Salad, potato or rice pallet and fresh baked rolls with butter.
Chicken Cordon Bleu 8.95
Chicken breast wrapped around Swiss cheese and lean Canadian Bacon served with rice and covered with white wine cream sauce.
Chicken Oyster 8.95
Bone-in bread of chicken topped with snow crab maze, flanked by vegetables, covered with Hollandaise and served on rice pallet.
Chicken Killer 7.95
Boiled bread of chicken wrapped around a seasoned sand of herb butter and served with rice pallet.
Snuffed Flounder Fillet 8.95
Seamed crab肉 stuffing surrounded by tender fillet of flounder, baked in white wine sauce and covered with rice pallet.
Sole Almondine or Hollandaise 7.50
Pat Fried flat of sole covered with roasted almond butter sauce or hollandaise sauce. Served with rice pallet.
Fried Shrimp 7.95
Eight hand-breaded large shrimp, deep-fried and served with cocktail sauce and potato do jour.
Shrimp à la Marienne 7.50
Shrimp sautéed in a white wine cream sauce with alluminio de mushrooms, served over rice pallet.
Chateaubrusand for Two 27.50
Cut from the center of the chateau, served with fresh vegetables, mushrooms, and our special poached du jour with cheese and two classic French sauces — Bernaise and Bordeaux. Served Table side.
Top Stirfin Snack 8.50
Top stirfin served with potato do jour and braised in your yeast.
Seak and Shrimp 9.95
6 oz top action and 4 hand-breaded large shrimp deep fried and served with cocktail sauce and new prairie.
Tournedo Bordeauxise or Berneise 9.95
Melatonin of terebion, sautéed and topped with bordeauxise mushroom sauce or Berneise and served with potato do jour.
Flillet Mignon 11.50
Meringue tender, bacon wrapped, braised to taste, served with classic Bordeaux sauce and potato do jour.
Salmon marinated in Teryaki sauce and served on rice pallet.
Du Bourguignon 10.95
Filé of terebion copper with snow crab maze. Flashed by vegetables and covered with hollandaise and served with rice pallet.
DESSERTS
Amarente Cheese cake 1.65
Apple Pie 1.25
Chocolate Mousse 1.50
All desserts made fresh in our kitchen daily.
749-0613
Public and Private Dining, Casual Attire Reservations Accepted
Friday & Saturday 3:30,7,&9:30 p.m.
SVA FILMS
A new film by John Sayles.
$1.50 Woodruff Auditorium
MIDNIGHT MOVIE Friday & Saturday
Plus The Farewell Concert of the Band
$2 Woodruff Auditorium
Sunday, Jan. 29
2 p.m.
THE LAST WALTZ
STARRING NATALIE WOOD RICHARD BEYMER · RUSS TAMBLYN RITA MORENO · GEORGE CHAKIRIS
$1.50 Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union
4