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installation and use of public pay tele-
phones. He sounded a rather pessimis-
tic note for operators by indicating
that while new tariff rates would make
it possible for them to incorporate
phones into their route locations by the
end of the year. such ventures would
be risky and in most cases. not very
profitable .
Operators also heard a legislative
report by State Senator Brian Rude
and about pending state bills from
their legislative counsel. Robert
Schroeder.
Highlights of the W.AMO weekend
were a cruise aboard a Mississippi
River houseboat and a tour of Jim
Stansfield Vending. one of Wisconsin's
largest game and vending opera-
tions.
Executive director Joe Phillips said.
"Attendance exceeded similar con-
ferences and my expectations .
Although operators are struggling
here. as elsewhere across the country.
there obviously is a thirst for informa-
tion and a sharing of ideas. A
balanced well-organized program
effectively promoted will draw even in
tough times."
•
Virginia . State Amusement Company,
Inc. sponsored this three event. $3.000.
double elimination tournament of
English Mark Darts.
Warner Burford of Lynchberg.
Virginia. was the winner in all events.
with two first places and a second
place finish. Warner and his partner
Sam Dishman took top honors in Open
Doubles. narrowly defeating second
placers Bob Tanner and Paul O'Neil.
who were undefeated until the
championship match. Warner also
won the top single prize of the tourney,
$300 . by winning Open Singles .
Ber kley Hudgins placed second.
Mix ed Doubles went to Charlie
Robertson and Jackie Persons who
defeated the favored Warner Burtord-
Robin Moorman team in the final two
matches.
The event drew 182 entrants who
had qualified in State Amusement
location tournaments.
•
OMAA joins VOCAL
The Ohio Music and Amusement
Association (OMAA) has been added
to the growing network of operators
joining the Video Operators Children's
Alert Line (VOCAL) to help locate
missing children
Ohio became the tenth state to join
this worthy cause . The OMAA board of
directors. at its September meeting.
approved a motion to endorse this
program and to encourage its mem-
bers to become active participants.
Over 1.200 operators curr ently
receive monthly poster packets .
Operators are encouraged to place
these posters. showing pictures of
missing children with a number to call
for information. in their locations.
Operators or other state associa-
tions wishing more information on this
organization may contact Dick
McNicholas at 503/ 232-9293.
•
Coin Acceptors names
Pete Guzman vice president
Warner Burford with Tony Moore
of State Amusement Co .. Inc.
Virginia dart
tournament held
The first annual Star City Shootoff
was held August 24 and 25 at the
Roanoke Civic Center. Roanoke .
14
Pete Guzman has been named
vice president of engineering at Coin
Acceptors. Inc . St. Louis. Missouri. The
appointment was announced by Jack
Thomas. president of the firm. a manu-
facturer of coin handling equipment
for the vending industry under the
trade name Coinco.
Guzman will direct the develop-
ment of Coinco's new electronic pro-
duct line and assume engineering
department management functions.
Pete Guzman
Stressing Guzman's importance to
the engineering department. Thomas
said. " Since we have doubled our pro-
duct line. we need additional strength
in our engineering department to
support that growth."
Prior to joining Coinco. Guzman
was vice president of development
and engineering for Smith-Corona in
Cortland. New York. and director of
engineering for NCR Corporation in
Ithaca. New York.
•
Cigarette tax
is excessive
Two years ago Congress passed a
bill doubling the federal excise tax on
cigarettes from eight cents to 16 cents
per pack. However. to make it a little
more palatable. Congress dubbed it a
temporary tax. incorporating into the
bill a sunset clause which would elimi-
nate the tax in October of 1 985. And
now that the time is here. Congress is
having second thoughts about recind-
ing the tax.
According to Walker Merryman of
the Tobacco Action Network. the bill
was passed two years ago to help stifle
a runaway budget deficit. However.
he noted. "The budget deficit is an
issue Congress has been grappling
with unsuccessfully for years. They
refuse to adopt basic tax reform so
they lash out at things like tobacco
and liquor." Merryman also quipped
that he wasn't old enough to remem-
ber the last time the government
recinded a tax.
Seventeen states have already
passed legislation to pick up the eight-
cent tax. raising state cigarette taxes
by that amount . The Council Against
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