Volume 2 Number 18 May 2, 2005

TEXT VERSION

This is Arson Awareness Week, with this year's focus on fire prevention in our youngest population. Children are fascinated with fire from a young age, and must be taught early to respect the dangers of fire. Of all serious crimes, arson is the one most often involving juveniles. Our youngest children must be protected from playing with matches and lighters, all children must be informed of the tragedy that can result from careless fire play, and our older ones must be educated about the seriousness of the offense. Arson is a crime, punishable by jail time and fines. As State Fire Marshal, I support programs that help re-educate young arsonists to stop fire-setting behaviors. The State Fire Marshal offices around the state will be offering a range of activities, from open houses at regional offices to in-school demonstrations and contests, aimed at teaching children about fire safety and the risks of playing with fire.  For a schedule of events, visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com/sfm. We must all be vigilant to the dangers of arson and we must help protect our children.  Education and awareness about juvenile fire play and arson are our best defenses.   Lake County, the 43rd county, was established  May 27, 1887, being taken from Orange and Sumter counties and named for the large number of lakes within its boundaries. The courthouse, above, was built in 1924.

GALLAGHER URGES FLORIDIANS TO HELP PREVENT DANGEROUS JUVENILE FIRE PLAY AND ARSON  Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Tom Gallagher is urging Floridians to join the State Fire Marshal’s Office and local fire and law enforcement agencies in preventing youth from getting involved in fire play or arson.  Children are again the focus of Arson Awareness Week, which runs this week through May 7.  “Juvenile fire play and arson have very costly consequences for the youths involved, their parents and their communities,” Gallagher said.  “Even though not all cases end in arrest – especially when very young children are involved – the consequences are just as real.”   CONTINUED

Viatical and Life Settlements

GALLAGHER COMMENDS STATE LAWMAKERS FOR APPROVING INVESTOR PROTECTION LEGISLATION Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher applauded lawmakers for approving legislation to better protect Florida investors from viatical companies that commit fraud or fail to properly disclose the risks involved when investing in viatical settlements. The legislation, which would define viatical settlements as “securities,” was unanimously approved by the Florida House of Representatives. The Florida Senate passed the bill last week.   “The legislation approved by lawmakers will enable us to proactively protect investors and aggressively pursue fraudulent practices in this industry,” said Gallagher, who oversees the Florida Department of Financial Services. Gallagher thanked Senator Rudy Garcia from Miami and Representative Dudley Goodlette from Naples for their efforts to champion the legislation.  "I commend Senator Garcia and Representative Goodlette for the leadership and courage they displayed in promoting this legislation," he said. CONTINUED

FLORIDIANS WHO PARTICIPATE IN A STAGED CRASH STAND TO LOSE LICENSE UNDER FAST-TRACK PROCESS Florida drivers who participate in a staged crash, regardless of whether they file a fraudulent insurance claim, not only face a minimum of two years in prison but now also stand to lose their driving privilege if convicted.  Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher today delivered to Fred Dickinson, Executive Director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, investigative files on 22 individuals whose licenses will be revoked under a fast-track process arranged by the two departments.  The individuals named in the files have been convicted of participating in staged crashes that defrauded insurers of more than $200,000.  “These fraud schemes are a drain on our economy, but they also pose a very serious threat to public safety,” said Gallagher, who oversees the Department of Financial Services.  “These individuals are driving on our roads looking for an accident.  We’re going to do everything we can to get them off the road.” Under Florida law, anyone who uses a vehicle in the commission of a felony – whether as a driver or a passenger – can have his/her license revoked.  A law enacted in 2003 made organizing or participating in a staged crash a second-degree felony punishable by a minimum mandatory two-year sentence.  So far, more than 70 people have been charged under that new law. CONTINUED

CFO GALLAGHER SAYS LAKELAND NURSING HOME FIRE POINTS TO NEED FOR LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE SPRINKLERS A fatal fire at a Lakeland nursing home should compel the Legislature to pass legislation to require all of the state’s nursing homes to have automated fire sprinkler systems by 2009, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Tom Gallagher has stated. The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Daniel Webster and Rep. John Stargel. A hospice patient died and another was hospitalized after a fire broke out at the Palm Terrace of Lakeland nursing home.  The hospice rents the wing from the nursing home. The building's sprinkler system was activated by the fire, and the fire was extinguished by the time firefighters arrived.  The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire along with the Lakeland Fire Department. “I’m very sorry a life was lost, but I am very relieved to hear that the sprinkler system contained the fire and saved many more lives,” Gallagher said.  “A fire sprinkler system could be the difference between life and death for nursing home residents who are disabled or have limited mobility.” CONTINUED

GALLAGHER OFFERS PARENTS CREATIVE TOOL FOR ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO SAVE Early financial education is the key to teaching young people about how money works and how to use it wisely.  As part of National Teach Children to Save Day, CFO Tom Gallagher is encouraging parents to talk with their children about the importance of saving and offered free piggy bank wrappers to help children develop healthy savings habits.  “Children catch on quickly to the idea of saving. They save everything from stickers to coupons at the grocery store to giveaways at restaurants.  Our hope is that these catchy wrappers will encourage children to start saving their pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters too,” said Gallagher, who oversees the Department of Financial Services.  “Good habits start early and healthy money skills last a lifetime.” With the wrappers, parents can make a bank out of an empty 2-liter soda bottle.  The wrappers can be downloaded from the department’s website at www.MyFloridaCFO.com.  Parents are encouraged to ask their child to write his or her name on the wrapper, a savings goal and the amount that must be saved to attain that goal.   CONTINUED

FCAT WRITING IMPROVES Education Commissioner John Winn and Governor Bush announced this year's results of the writing portion of the 2005 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) for students in grades 4, 8, and 10. More students have scored higher than in previous years, despite the challenges created by the 2004 hurricanes. Florida students continue to improve on the FCAT writing portion of the test. "I applaud Florida's teachers for not only embracing higher standards this year in the face of daunting circumstances, but also preparing students to achieve beyond expectations," stated Gov. Bush. Congratulations to Florida students for improving writing skills so vital to success in school and life.