Sorry, Mary — Jim got my vote

I read Tribune columnist Mark Scarp's Oct. 26 offering ("Manross needs to explain gambling votes switch") and then went to both his Web site as well as the city's to confirm the accuracy of his comments. They we exactly as he stated them.

Manross has flip-flopped on the issue of an off-track betting license for horse racing requested by Tom Anderson, owner of a downtown bar, and more recently opposed his application to include dog track betting. Everybody knows Manross opposes gambling in Scottsdale, but she's a bit weak on the explanation for her votes on Anderson's applications. Although the issue is not necessarily earth shaking, it is, for me, the straw that broke the camel's back.

Bottom line, I'm switching sides and on Tuesday will be voting for Jim Lane. Sorry about that, Mary.

Anybody else notice virtually all law firms, in their advertising, imply that you need an attorney because the insurance company you may be dealing with is going to try to work you over? That's their basic tenet - the insurance company is an adversary and therefore your opponent and you need help. I think that's totally false. It's a ploy by ambulance-chasing attorneys to drum up business.

I have nothing to do with insurance companies - never worked for one, don't have any interest in doing so, and have always found my few experiences with them to be totally forthright. Insurance companies are obviously in business to make money, as is any other business enterprise, but on a reputable basis so gouging their clients is not part of the game plan. Let me give you an example.

A friend in Van Buren, Ark., earlier this year suffered severe damage to his residence due a storm. His insurance company sent out a representative, who spent the entire day inspecting the damage and. in late afternoon, told my friend, "I could write you a check for 'X' amount of dollars here and now, but I doubt it will truly cover the total cost, so let's wait until all the bills come in and we'll pay that sum." My friend was satisfied and it worked out as the agent had suggested and no attorney was involved. That's American business the way it's supposed to work and most often does. The ambulance chasers seek the uninformed. Not everybody needs a lawyer.

Recently I was looking for a salad dressing at the supermarket I found myself faced with a wide selection. Many offerings, many brands, but scanning the product faces I happened upon Paul Newman's image and made my choice. Not just an actor, rather a man of compassion and genuine character who, simply by chance, created a product line to benefit those less fortunate in our world.

I bought his brand of salad dressing and walked out of the store feeling good about myself and about a man who allowed me to do so. I smiled and I think he, up there somewhere, probably did too.

Gary H. Boyd is a resident of Scottsdale and a former City Council candidate.