Lueders exhibit, Renaissance, review report, identity theft, centennial, Reppert

A large crowd turned out Sunday to view the Paul Lueders photo exhibit, including about 50 members of the Lueders family.

Appropriate and informative remarks were shared by guest speakers Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University; John Lueders, brother and business associate of Paul; and local photographer and former city councilman Tom Neumeyer. Thirty photos of the 1925-1995 Lueders Studio Retrospective are still on display at Kent Library, and 30 more slides were available for public viewing.

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The Fresno (Calif.) Bee seems to have issued a "don't get stung" warning in its coverage of Renaissance Aircraft trying to locate its "airplane manufacturing facility to be" in that community.

They contacted some Cape Girardeau citizens and city attorney Eric Cunningham about the company's lack of success in their hoped-for startup in Cape.

We wish the best of luck to Renaissance in its efforts to build the Luscombe airplane, but investors need full disclosure.

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I am waiting for the final amended report of the Missouri State Government Review Commission before I write on its recommendations and share my views.

I think the final 88 proposals and the time and effort of the committee were significant and will give guidelines and points of discussion for the Missouri Legislature and administrative branches in the coming years.

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Be prepared -- Protecting against identity theft: I awoke at home Wednesday morning to discover my truck had been broken into, and along with other items my wallet with credit cards and my driver's license had been stolen. I quickly discovered that I was not prepared to deal with this unfortunate event. So, with that as a background, I want to encourage everyone to be prepared.

First and foremost, keep a list of all your credit cards, account numbers and customer service phone numbers in a safe location. I did not have this information at hand and quickly learned that reporting credit cards lost or stolen can be an ordeal.

Like me, 4,000 other Missourians reported being victims of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Identity theft includes obtaining personal data for false loan and credit card applications, unauthorized bank account activity and receiving other goods or services under an assumed identity. These crimes significantly disrupt the lives of innocent people everyday, a truly disturbing crime.

Skilled identity thieves have a variety of methods to gain access to your information. Fortunately, there are many precautions that you can take to considerably reduce your chances of being faced with the hassles and financial turmoil of having your identity stolen.

Don't relay vital personal information over the phone in public places because someone might be listening. When disposing of junk mail or bills, shred the documents, because some identity thieves dig through garbage in search of pre-approved credit card applications or copies of your utility bills and bank statements. Having these documents, criminals are able to assume your identity or spend money in your name without you ever knowing.

Because of today's dependence on the Internet, new avenues for identity fraud have opened up, so beware. Don't respond to spam (unsolicited) e-mails, because it might allow hackers to gain access to your passwords and important personal data. Make sure to engage in e-commerce only with trusted companies that offer secure data transfers.

Have someone you trust pick up your mail or request that your local post office hold your mail when you are traveling. You should also ask periodically for a copy of your credit report to make sure there is not any activity that you are unaware of. You can receive a free credit report by logging onto www.freecreditreport.com. Maintain careful records of your banking and financial accounts, and include with these records a list of every document and piece of identification that you have, along with the phone numbers you would need to call to cancel accounts or replace documentation.

If you think your identity is jeopardized, take action as soon as possible to minimize damages to your finances and reputation.

-- State Sen. Jason Crowell

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Those who attended the Southeast Missourian's centennial celebration Saturday enjoyed one of the finest family-day, good feeling events in Cape Girardeau's history. It was much bigger, better and more fun than my expectations. Kudos to those who did the brain and brawn power to make it so successful, and especially three of my sons: Gary II, Jon and Rex. The torch has been passed.

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Congratulations to Jerry Reppert on a really big honor. Reppert, head of Reppert Publications, was installed last weekend as president of the National Newspaper Association. Established in 1885, the NNA is the national voice of community newspapers. With 3,200 newspaper members, it is the largest newspaper association in the United States.

Prior to election as president, Reppert served the past year as NNA's vice president. He has also been a state chairman, regional director and government affairs director for the organization.

Reppert also served as president, of the Southern Illinois Editorial Association and Illinois Press Association. He was instrumental in establishing the Illinois Press Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the Illinois Press Association, and has continued to serve as the foundation's president since its inception.

In 1998 he received the most prestigious honor in community journalism when he was presented the Amos Award by the NNA. Reppert has devoted most of his life to the newspaper owned by his family. After graduations from Kansas State University in 1969, he returned to his hometown to become editor of The Gazette-Democrat.

Starting with the single weekly newspaper, he expanded to what has become Reppert Publications, which includes The Gazette-Democrat and Monday's Publication in Anna, The Cairo Citizen in Cairo, the Navigator-Journal and Prairie Post in Grayville and Albion, the Tri-County Record in Dongola and a host of specialty publications.

In the early 1970s he founded Anna-Jonesboro Cable TV and constructed a cable television system. Reppert's Office Furniture was established in 1971 and serves Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri with office supplies and office furniture. He serves as president of North Scott Publishing and Cape Central Publishing Co. in Cape Girardeau.

He serves on the board of directors of Anna National Bank. He also served his country for 20 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Reppert has been active in community organizations, including terms as president of the chamber of commerce, Rotary and Economic Development Corporation.

His wife, Dianne, works with him in the publishing business. He has two daughters and two grandchildren.

Tyra Reppert, one of Jerry's daughters, is an account executive here at the Southeast Missourian. Jerry's a good friend and a proven industry leader.

Gary Rust is chairman of Rust Communications.