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Ask the Times: Reagan at WOC, police phone solicitations

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| Tuesday, June 22, 2004 |

Jama Clark

Q: How long did Ronald Reagan work at WOC radio? Was it two hours, a week, six months?

� John, Davenport

A: Ronald Reagan worked at WOC radio in Davenport for six months. Reagan's first day as a sports announcer was Saturday, Oct. 22, 1932. He announced the Minnesota-Iowa homecoming game, where Iowa lost by a score of 6-21. Reagan worked at WOC until he was offered a job at WHO radio station in Des Moines in April 1933. According to Reagan's autobiography, "I spent four years at station WHO in Des Moines and they were among the most pleasant in my life." He describes that he had reached his dream of being a sports announcer by the time he was 22 years old. After leaving WHO, Reagan moved on to Hollywood and the rest is history.

Q: I recently received a phone solicitation from someone claiming to be from the Iowa State Police. Are they running solicitations or was it a scam?

� Harold, Davenport

A: If the caller was calling on behalf of the Iowa State Troopers Association or Iowa State Policeman's Association, it was legitimate. But residents should know that they are not talking to police or state patrol officers, they are talking to employees of a telemarketing company. At no time should the caller identify himself or herself as an officer.

Monetary solicitations for the Iowa State Troopers Association go to funding arbitration, attorney fees, grievances, charity work and supporting the torch run during Special Olympics. In the past, this fund-raiser has included ticket sales to various events. Money for the Iowa State Policeman's Association helps support the boys camp at Fort Dodge, Iowa. The money helps send children to the ranch and take care of them.

The Iowa State Patrol advises anyone receiving one of these phone calls to ask questions and get the name of the person speaking and a call-back number. Any legitimate caller should be willing to provide that information. Donations also can be made directly to the organizations without going through the telemarketers.

� Jama Clark