Dear Idaho Bail Agents,                                                       .       
 I hope you are having a great summer! As much as I am enjoying the warm weather it is almost time to start thinking about fall. Along with the changing of the  seasons  comes our Annual Meeting and Conference to be held September 9th -  11th, 2008 in Jackpot, NV. This is going to be a very important meeting for PBAI and  its members. There have been some crucial changes in the Idaho bail industry with  more to come in the next year. I would like to remind you  that this is an election year  for the association with all offices and board seats available. I will be stepping down  as President and am not interested in holding any position at this time. After 29 years of being in the industry I officially passed the reigns of my business to my daughter Jonna in April. I gladly follow my good friend, Ken Owens,  who after nearly 28 years in the industry has sold his business and retired. Both Ken  and I were founding members of PBAI and I served as its first President in 1989. As most of you know Ken and I have been friends for over 28 years even thought we  were competitors. I am honored to have been of service to the Professional Bail Agents of Idaho for all these years but like Ken said to me just the other day, “It’s just time for us old dogs to give it up." Ken and I have had the pleasure of working at the state house with the Idaho legislature for the last five years, and boy have we learned a lot! Ken and I have had the honor of being appointed to the  Bail Bonds Guidelines Committee. It has been over two years now with not much progress. We hope that our efforts will result in changes that will be positive and benefit the Idaho Bail Industry. We are both tired of the BS but will continue our work with  the committee until we feel the work is done. I wish we could say that we left you with a better industry than it was when we got it, but we can’t. The last 5-6 years have not been good for the Surety Bail Industry in Idaho. I honestly don’t know if that will take a turn for the better.  A strong bail association with an active membership is a must!  After 28 years I don’t know how to express my appreciation except to say
thank you. Thank you to all PBAI members who have given me the opportunity to serve as your President. Thank you to all of you who have given of yourselves to serve the association as elected officers and board members. Thank you to CJ who is devoted to presenting top quality CE courses. To Rebecca and Rulon I thank you for the best newsletter in the industry and to your company who has helped to make it available to us. To my friend, Ken Owens for his 28 years of dedicated service, to whom without his help there probably would be no Professional Bail Agents of Idaho, Inc. Lastly a thank you to all of our members! To members who have been around for a while, thank you for sticking with the association and a huge thank you to all of our new, younger members because without you, it’s just us old farts.                              

I just  want to thank each of the members of PBAI for your efforts to improve yourself and our industry. You are serving your clients with honesty,  fairness, knowledge and helpfulness.  I’m sure some of your attitude has been acquired from your association with other PBAI members and the courses and instruction you received at PBAI.  Over the past 10 years I have noticed great improvements in agents’ dress, confidence, self esteem, and knowledge of the business.  I’ve also noticed a more positive response from the public concerning our agents.  They quickly feel the negative self serving or the positive giving vibes of each agent they contact.  You have developed into a great positive force for your agency and our industry.  YOU ARE THE GREATEST !!  Thanks for supporting PBAI, for helping me, your fellow agents, and our industry.

 

I hope you are all safe and well. I am enjoying the summer but am looking forward to the Annual Conference of the Professional Bail Agents of Idaho, Inc. Everyone needs to be aware that this is an election year. Hopefully you are thinking of who you would like to nominate for an office and which position you yourself would like to volunteer for. Not only are there offices but board seats and an assortment of committees which need volunteers. I have enjoyed serving as the secretary and will be more than happy to help anyone replacing me learn the ropes. Thank you to all who have helped me fulfill my duties over the years. Looking forward to seeing you all in Jackpot!

 

 

I look forward to seeing everyone in Jackpot. It is always a pleasure to speak to everyone face to face, much better than just a voice on the other end of the phone. I am bringing an extra  special bag, so those who are BIG winners on the slots, can allow me to unburden you from the heaviness of  trying to carry all your winnings. Money can buy a house but not a home. It can buy a bed but not sleep. It can buy a clock but not time. It can buy you a book but not knowledge. It can buy you a position but not respect. It can buy you medicine but not health. You see money isn't everything. I tell you all this because I am your friend. As your friend I want to take away your pain and suffering ... So please fill my bag with all your money and I will suffer for you. A truer friend than me you will never find. Cash only please!

 

It has come to my attention that some unfortunate comments were made during an open judicial court proceeding to a defendant about Bail Bond companies being a “rip off  service”. If you want to hear the recorded legal transcript and find out just who said it,  come to the meeting. You will not believe your ears!!!!!

 

No Report Available

 

Hello from Canyon County! There is not a lot to report in my area, things have been  running fairly smooth.  The elections in my County have been really interesting, Sheriff  Chris Smith,  retained his position as sheriff.  We also have a new Prosecuting Attorney,  John Bujak.  He is remarkable and will make great changes.  I look forward to seeing
you all in Jackpot!

Greetings fellow Agents from Blaine County and the 5th Judicial District. Business has  been a little slow but steady. The new law regarding repeat offender DUI’s (10 year records) has increased felony bonds, with set bonds ranging from 10K to 50K in this area. Our new Judge Ted Israel has turned out to be excellent! He and Judge Robert  Elgee are fair on bonds, have shown common sense and have good working relations  with local bail agents.

 

From the Editor: I am sorry to say Debbie is too busy to report in. During the month of  July she had two teams in the “Relay for Life”.  The relay is the American Cancer  Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in our community an opportunity to  participate in the fight against cancer and honor those that have been affected by cancer.  She also was involved in the POW/MIA Rally in Pocatello. When I spoke with her she  was headed out the door on her way to the Sturgis Rally and then was planning on a road  trip into Canada. If she makes it back to us in time I am sure she would love to share her adventures with us when we see her in Jackpot.