Alone and our voice is small.
—
Together we will be heard.
”
Barbara Bowen, NAM
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| I am only one, | ||
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But still I am one. | |
| I cannot do everything, | ||
| But still I can do something; | ||
| And because I cannot do everything | ||
| I will not refuse to do | ||
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the something that I can do. | |
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| - Edward Everett Hale | ||
Award for Excellence
to Mr. Douglas H. Napier, Esq.
(Attorney for former TAI members)
The National Association for Members (NAM) expresses its deep appreciation to Douglas H. Napier for his outstanding legal services to its members in multiple litigated matters extending over a period of 11 years.
The organization and members recognize that Mr. Napier upheld the highest traditions of his profession by devoting time, talent and energy far beyond that which was contemplated or even imagined at the outset of the complicated and multifaceted legal claims which arose from the loss of millions of dollars at the hands of the unscrupulous. The members had merely wanted to pay for and enjoy camping privileges around the country.
Mr. Napier was a young lawyer, practicing in a small Iowa town in a four-man firm formed by his grandfather and headed by his father. His resources were minuscule compared to the size, prestige and power of his foes and their batteries of skilled attorneys. In true David and Goliath fashion Mr. Napier maintained faith in the rightness of the cause and against heavy odds and determined opposition expended boundless energy, skill and devotion to defeat them and bring relief and comfort to our many members.
No greater success could have been expected if Mr. Napier had the backing of the most powerful law firm in the country and his single-handed determination and legal skill produced success and restitution for many people.
In addition he stopped the financial institutions from profiting from the technicalities of the law, which might have otherwise shielded them from any recourse and cause incalculable harm to our members. At the outset of this terrible situation our members not only had lost their camping privileges but most were faced with the specter of having to pay off debts honestly incurred but for which no services were to be performed. These debts were cancelled through the efforts of Mr. Napier. He was always resolute in his effort to protect his clients who are now his friends and who will always be grateful for his personal and professional integrity and skill.
Mr. Napier recovered over $1.3 million dollars that was distributed to nearly 2,000 claimants. It took about 11 years.
No greater success could have been expected if Mr. Napier had the backing of the most powerful law firm in the country and his single-handed determination and legal skill produced success and restitution for many people.
In addition he stopped the financial institutions from profiting from the technicalities of the law, which might have otherwise shielded them from any recourse and cause incalculable harm to our members. At the outset of this terrible situation our members not only had lost their camping privileges but most were faced with the specter of having to pay off debts honestly incurred but for which no services were to be performed. These debts were cancelled through the efforts of Mr. Napier. He was always resolute in his effort to protect his clients who are now his friends and who will always be grateful for his personal and professional integrity and skill.
(ed. note: Mr. Napier has moved to Arazona to work with an organization called the Alliance Defense Fund. He has a very responsible job there. We contacted his new employer and arranged for the head of the company to present an "Award for Excellence" to Mr. Napier - in front of his piers. He was quite surprised.)
Discounts at State Parks
The last issue of our newsletter told you how to get a “National Park Pass”.
Are you proud of your state’s camping
programs?
Send us information about your
state’s program(s) and we’ll publish
it.
NAM and TAI Veteran’s Reunion
Nearly 24 people gathered at Ryan's Restaurant on Miller Lane in Dayton to celebrate the final disposition of the lawsuit against Thousand Adventures and their financial collaborators.
It's been a long hard effort to complete this. (11 years.) Mr. Napier stuck it out. He had thousands of dollars of his firm's money invested before he ever got paid a dime for his efforts.
This was a gathering of the 'Ohio Team'. We couldn't have accomplished what we did without their encouragement, financial support, and help with the newsletters, etc.
It’s been a tough and sometimes frustrating journey. You and I have learned a lot and we’ve helped a lot of other people on the way. Our newsletters and our telephone hot-line have reached people across the nation who needed to know that they were not alone in their efforts to oppose abusive practices of some campground operators. We’ve also initiated efforts to involve attorneys general in several states and offices of the US government.
It's good to know so many nice and caring people.
When Should You Authorize a Company
to
Withdraw Money from Your Account?
N-E-V-E-R
It’s OK for YOU to tell your bank where and when to send money — but you should never authorize anyone else (a camping club, for example) to take money from your accounts.
Once it is started, your bank may require you to get the other person/company’s permission to stop it.
You increase the likelihood that your account information will be accidentally or fraudulently disclosed.
NAM has had complaints from people who had difficulty trying to cancel a campground’s authority to automatically take annual fees from their checking or credit card accounts.
Pass the Word !
Dan Hopper, Editor
Your friends need to know:
-
Never pay money up-front to sell a campground membership or a time-share.
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Always find out, before the purchase, how you terminate your membership when you no longer wish to pay annual dues.
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Never try to settle a dispute over the phone.
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Get it in writing. If it isn’t in writing — it didn’t happen.
Can you think of anything I’ve forgotten?
MOSQUITOES
From a friend in Indiana
OK, mosquitoes... prepare to be repelled!!!!!
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Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets... Best thing ever used in Louisiana.. Just wipe on & go... Great for Babies!
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Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B1 tablet a day April through October. He said it works. He was right. Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it. Everyone he has talked into trying it says it works on them. Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)
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If you eat bananas, the mosquitoes like you, - something about the banana oil as your body processes it. Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes will be much less interested.
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This is going to floor you, but one of the best insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods every day), is Vicks' Vaporub.
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Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off a smell that bugs do not like, so plant some in that garden also to help ward off bugs without using insecticides.
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" Tough guy " Marines who spend a great deal of time " camping out " say that the very best mosquito repellent you can use is Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol.
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One of the best natural insect repellents that I've discovered is made from the clear real vanilla. This is the pure Vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks, don't know about other insects.
When all else fails — get a frog.
Remember: The Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
Ever Hear a Story
You Just Had to Tell Someone?
Air Force One arrived at Heathrow Airport and President Bush was warmly welcomed by Queen Elizabeth.
They were driven in a 1934 Bentley to the edge of central London where they change to a magnificent 17th century carriage hitched to six white horses. They continued on towards Buckingham Palace waving to the thousands of cheering Britons; all was going well.
Suddenly the right rear horse lets fly with the most horrendous earth shattering stinker ever heard.
The smell was atrocious and both passengers of the carriage used handkerchiefs over their noses. The flatulence shook the coach, but the two dignitaries of State did their utmost to ignore the incident.
The Queen turned to President Bush, “Mr. President please accept my regrets... I am sure you understand there are some things that even a Queen cannot control.”
George Bush, always trying to be “Presidential,” replied, “Your Majesty, do not give the matter another thought... Until you mentioned it, I thought it was one of the horses.”
One Liners Worth
Passing On
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Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
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Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
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Don’t let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
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Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.
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God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
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People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.
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Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn’t belong.
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God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should we?
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Be ye fishers of men.
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You catch them - He’ll clean them.
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Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
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Don’t wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
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God grades on the cross, not the curve.
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The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
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The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.