THE MONEY TRAIL
Angry DMV customers, you've been heard.
Last month, the Money Trail reported a Folsom resident's complaint that he had been turned away from his local Department of Motor Vehicles office before closing time. DMV denied any early closures.
Not anymore.
The state agency now says some customers have been sent home too soon.
"We've taken steps to correct this," spokesman Mike Marando said this week. "We understand there was some miscommunication at certain offices."
Bottom line, Marando said: "This means that anyone who comes in a DMV field office before closing time will get same-day field service. Our apologies."
Since the first report ran, at least a dozen readers recounted their own lockouts after 4 p.m. in Roseville, Folsom, Woodland and Sacramento branches in the south, north and the central city.
Claude Hoover, who showed up at the Woodland DMV branch at 4:15 p.m. on Oct. 30 was told he couldn't register his truck that day. An official there said all staff members had to be out by 5 p.m. on orders of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said no overtime could be incurred.
Hoover raised a fuss.
"Well, I was pretty angry, and so was my wife," Hoover said. "I told them I'd be willing to go along with any rules and regulations they had, but they had no such rules posted."
In early November, while traveling in Missouri, he got a call from a DMV official. "They told me they were sorry and the problem had been corrected."
It sounds as if they really are sorry.
– Terri Hardy. Is taxpayer money being spent properly? Send tips to moneytrail@sacbee.com
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Cook, nutritionist is role model for homeless women
The Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center serves 1,650 people a year and works on many levels to end homelessness.
One program – "Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds" – teaches women at the south Sacramento shelter nutrition and cooking techniques, yoga, reading, knitting and crocheting.
Volunteer Korrie Hicks, owner of Meals-For-Life Coach, is the nutrition expert.
She once lived in shared transitional housing as a single mother in Santa Clara County. Volunteering is her way of giving back.
"In addition, I'm absolutely passionate about cooking and cooking healthy," she said. "I want people to understand that even women on limited budgets can cook healthy, flavorful meals. They don't have to settle for Top Ramen."
"As long as I touch one person, I'm happy," she said. "I've been there. I've had to go down to the food bank and get what food was available. I know how it is."
Natalie Kuffel,volunteer coordinator, said Hicks shows women in tough circumstances "what is possible."
"She has gone on to create her own business," Kuffel said. "She is an inspiration."
– Bill Lindelof. Know someone spotlight worthy? Send tips to fixthis@sacbee.com
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