Declarations

Big Brother is Watching

“To me, it’s just a Big Brother thing …no smoking has become like Prohibition was, and nobody seems to be ostracized or outlawed for taking away people’s rights for this particular subject. It’s the bandwagon effect, and it seems to me that everyone has jumped on it.”

—Wendy Cammins, a smoker who has lived her condominium building since 1987, comments on a new law that prohibits smoking at the La Rive Condominiums in Minneapolis. Smoking will be prohibited in individual units, common areas, garages and private balconies. Current owners who smoke will be grandfathered in, but future buyers have to follow the rule, which takes effect May 1. Those who don’t comply will be fined or face legal action. Another resident representing the other view said owners wanted to be sure the people who lived there had the feeling that, in their unit, they’re protected” from health hazards and “all agreed that the fair thing was to let those who currently smoke remain.”

Back to School on Flooding

“This is somewhat of a unique and complicated product, and I think it’s important that agents are properly trained to sell it.”

—Indiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Atterholt said that this winter’s flooding has prompted him to require a training course for agents who sell flood coverage. Those already selling insurance will have to take a continuing-education course of at least three hours by 2010, the state Department of Insurance recently announced. After July 1, new agents will have to take the course before they sell their first policy. He said state insurance officials who have visited flood sites this year have fielded many questions about insurance coverage. Only 1 percent of the state’s 2.3 million homes have flood insurance, according to the insurance department, which totals insured flood losses from 1998 to 2007 at around $40 million.

Youngest Agent

“It’s very nice…For the longest time, I knew how to do it but was not allowed to. It was frustrating, but it will be nice to sell my own now.”

—Heather Gaskill, believed to be the youngest insurance agent, comments on her experiences working in her dad and grandfather’s insurance agency BEFORE she became a licensed agent at age 18.

The state’s Department of Insurance said she could take the classes but couldn’t receive the license until she turned 18. When she finally received it, she became the youngest licensed agent in Indiana, said Chet Pietras, the department’s deputy commissioner.