Senate and House candidates debate this Sunday
To be a better informed voter, don't miss the televised debates to be aired on Pioneer Public Television.
The debate between the candidates that want to represent Rock County in St. Paul will be aired Sunday, Nov. 3.
The Senate debate between the Republican challenger Alex Frick from Luverne and Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL), Tracy, will be broadcast at 1 p.m.
Their counterparts in the House, Rep. Ted Winter (DFL), Fulda, and challenger Doug Magnus (R), Slayton, will debate at 2 p.m.
For reception with an antenna, Pioneer Public TV is on Channel 20, and Mediacom will broadcast the debate on Channel 8.
Sign up for "Do Not Call" starting Monday
Starting Monday, Nov. 4, the Minnesota Department of Commerce plans to begin registering consumers for the "Do Not Call" list.
In the past months, the department has been working on the computer and phone systems that will be needed to accommodate consumers who want to shield themselves from the notorious telemarketers.
According to Minnesota Commerce Commissioner, Jim Bernstein, his department is expecting a flood of calls and Web site hits when the registration begins on Monday.
Callers will be allowed to register up to three residential phone numbers during a single call.
The phone number and Web site will be announced Monday for those who want to register.
NCS Pearson, a Bloomington company, has been awarded the contract to compile the "do not call" list and manage the system.
Under the new law, telemarketers will be required to buy the list and delete any name on it from their database.
The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2003.
Certain organizations are exempt from the law and do not have to purchase the Do Not Call list before phoning Minnesota residents:
Nonprofit organizations
Political organizations
Businesses with a prior relationship with the customer
Businesses that do not intend to complete the sale over the phone, but rather complete the transaction in a face-to-face setting.
Other aspects of the new law include:
All telemarketers will be prohibited from using devices that disable caller ID on consumer telephones
Telemarketers will be required to immediately identify themselves, the company they represent and the product they are selling.
The Star Herald will report the phone number and Web site when they are announced.
Trick or treats and a haunted house
Along with the trick or treats handed out by Luverne businesses, you can also attend a haunted house.
As I told you last week, Luverne merchants will be handing out Halloween candy from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today (Oct. 31). Signs in the windows will identify which 47 merchants are participating.
The new feature this year is the haunted house. The Peer Helpers will be decorating the Carnegie Cultural Center for the haunted house. The haunted house will be suitable for smaller children.
The price of admission is a canned item for the food shelf.
The hours for the haunted house are also 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com