By By Lowell McGill
I am sure you have now read about and have seen on TV the news last week concerning changes to some homeowner’s insurance policies
Many of us remember the days when home insurance coverage was referred to as ‘fire policies.” But as the years went by insurance companies introduced “Home Owners Insurance.” Today everyone has these policies with the satisfaction of knowing most perils are covered. This includes, wind, hail, rainwater, leaks, falling trees and liability.
Well, we now learn from the news that some insurance companies will no longer offer coverage on the wind potion of the policy. This will affect those folks living, primarily, south of us. And, I suppose it is possible that a few living in our immediate area could be affected, as well. In fact, I know of one company that has discontinued writing property coverage here in Atmore.
Monthly premium rates have also ascended, especially since Hurricane Ivan shoved its fierce winds through our area a few years ago.
Farmers Insurance Group informed 10,400 customers in Mobile and Baldwin counties that wind coverage would be eliminated from their policies starting in July. This information came from a “Mobile Register” Internet story published Feb.19.
That news story further stated “Since 2004’s Hurricane Ivan Allstate Corporation, Alfa Mutual Group, State Farm Fire and Casualty and Farmers have said they would drop wind coverage on 51,000 policies. That could represent close to one-third of the 159,000 owner -occupied homes in the two counties. Farmers said the cutback includes 10,000 residential homes and 400 commercial policies.”
These actions have sent thousands scurrying to get wind coverage in “The Beach Pool,” which offers limited coverage at high prices. Already countless numbers living near or around the Gulf are now forced to pay much higher monthly premiums on their homes and businesses.
We should hope that hurricanes stay away from us for at least a few years because the frequency of these storms help determine the manner insurance companies establish premium costs. However, I believe those living in these high-percentage storm areas will always be saddled with higher premiums.
Flood coverage, as you probably know, is not included in the normal homeowner’s policies. You must buy a Flood policy to cover rising and flowing water. The federal government sets the premium costs for these policies and, fortunately, there have been no increase in costs in quite some time now. But, I am hearing, and this is unofficial, that structures located in and around storm surge areas may require higher premiums in the future.
Before I get into some news of people, events and places of 1970, two other controversial subjects of interest to us in Alabama continue to make news headlines. We have already written about the gambling issue and feel certain that many more news stories will be aired before this is cleared.
But, the Alabama House panel voted to OK a Voter Photo Bill Feb. 17.
An Associated Press story said “a committee has approved a bill that would require Alabama voters to show valid photo identification before casting a ballot.” The bill will now go to the full house for debate.
Basically, the news article said “that requiring voters to prove their identity will protect the election process”.
Now, let’s take a look at some news from 1970.
Popular Atmore City Policeman J.D. Stewart retired from the local force that year. Many will remember Mr. Stewart as he patrolled the city streets checking on the parking meters. If your meter had expired and he knew you were in a nearby building he would always poke his head in the door of the business and point to his watch. It was his friendly way of letting you know he didn’t want to give you a ticket.
Vandals burned Grissett Bridge that year causing more than $25,000 damage. Located not too far from Barnett CrossRoads, the bridge was 120-feet long. Residents were severely disadvantaged as they had to take “out of the way” alternate routes to school, work, church and to town.
Two prominent deaths were noted in Spring of 1970. Greene King, owner of an air-conditioning firm, and Jamie (Weekley) Hendrix, formerly of Perdido, passed away. Greene, who was brother to Doctor W.G King, had operated his business here for a number of years. Mrs. Hendrix, who was the mother of the Rev. Arnold Hendrix, was living with her family in Valparaiso, Fla. She was also a niece of Mr. John Weekley, well-known L&N Railroad agent here.
Elwood Barden Jr. was named “Sailor of the Month” at his California base of operation. The Auburn University graduate was recognized for his work in a surgical intensive care unit.
In the ongoing 1970 drive for a coronary unit to be established at Greenlawn Hospital, Masland and Sons made a sizeable donation.
Hugo Esneul, prominent local businessman, retired as chairman of the board at the Bank of Atmore.
Finally, I cannot say enough about my “renewed friendship” with Sam Ford.
I have written several times about our days in the early 1950s at WATM. It was only a couple years ago I learned that he was living in New Orleans and was retired after working many years for a New Orleans radio station. In addition to his published articles and prize winning radio and TV commercials over the years, the University of Alabama grad also did work in national network radio.
His former sister-in-law, Annie Sue (Keller) Newman ,gave me his email address and we immediately began renewing memories from those days of long ago. I also stay in contact with his former wife, Jeannie, who now is married to a medical doctor and lives in Mississippi.
But, I was totally amazed to learn that Sam has been married for a number of years now to the daughter of a world renowned orchestra leader. His wife, Joyce, and such a wonderful lady, is the daughter of Louie Prima, the great Dixieland bandleader and trumpet player. Prior to Prima’s death, he and Keely Smith recorded several hit songs. “That Old Black Magic” was probably one of their greatest hits.
In an email to Sam yesterday, I told him I recently watched a TV movie (Analyze This), which featured a couple of Prima’s songs. He told me he lost many valuable collections including prized Prima memorabilia, in Hurricane Katrina.
He has many friends still living here and he wants me to say he has a tender warm spot in his heart for Atmore.
More, next week.
Lowell McGill is a historical columnist for The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at exam@frontiernet.net