Brook Park, Ohio- Law Department

Law Director Neal M. Jamison heads the Brook Park Law Department. His staff includes Administrative Assistant Kate Schmidt, Assistant Law Director and Berea Prosecutor, Bruce Courey, and Assistant Law Director and Brook Park Mayor�s Court Prosecutor Dale Short. Pursuant to the Charter of the City of Brook Park, �the Director of Law shall serve the Mayor, the Council, the administrative officers and departments, and the commissions and boards of the City as legal counsel, and shall represent the City in all proceedings in court or before any administrative body. He shall act as the prosecuting attorney for the City. He shall perform all other duties now or hereafter imposed upon city solicitors by the general laws of Ohio, unless otherwise provided by ordinance or resolution of the Council, and he shall perform such other duties as may be required by this Charter and/or as the Council or the Mayor may impose upon him- consistent with his office.�
One of the main functions of the Law Department is to prepare and/or oversee all legislation presented to the City Council from every City Department. In addition, the Law Director provides daily advice and legal opinions to the Mayor, City Administration and City Council; represents the City in litigation matters and prosecutions; assists insurance defense counsel with litigation; reviews and approves all City contracts; and monitors new developments in the law.

From the Newsletter

SAFETY TIPS FOR SHOPPING ON THE INTERNET

The Internet allows an individual almost immediate access to purchase a wide variety of goods. From the comfort of your own home you can buy items ranging from books to sporting
goods to vacation reservations and clothes. This convenience of shopping from home, carries
with it certain risks. The following tips will help consumers to safely navigate the Internet:
A. Know who you are dealing with. You should do business with companies that are legitimate and have a good reputation. If you are not familiar with a company or its reputation, then check them out. As an example, you can contact the Better Business Bureau or the Ohio Attorney General�s office.
B. Review a company�s online private policy. Most companies with privacy practices post their privacy policy on their web site. This information should disclose what information is being collected on the web site and how that information is being used.
C. Use a secure Internet connection. You should do business with sites that use security software, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Secure Electronic Transaction (SET) to encrypt financial and other personal information sent over the Internet. Look for an unbroken key, lock or padlock at the bottom of the browser window or �https� instead of �http� at the beginning of the web address to tell if the web site is secure.
D. Check shipping and handling fees. Retailers often add a shipping and handling fee to the price of an item that you are purchasing. Buyers can select from several delivery options, based on where the order is shipped from, the cost, or the weight of the goods purchased. In addition, be sure to check for the return and restocking policies before you place an order. Some companies may require prior authorization and many charge a restocking fee if you return an item.
E. Pay by credit or charge card. When you pay with a credit or charge card, your transaction is protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, a consumer has the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while a creditor is investigating them. You should also consider only using a single credit card for online purchases. This way you can review your accounts easier and if the security of a card is compromised, you still have the use of your other cards.
F. Avoid using a debit card online. Although a debit card looks like a credit card, it does not act like one. Funds for debit card transactions are transferred almost immediately and debit cards do not offer the same liability protections as credit cards.
G. Keep records of your purchases. When ordering by computer, write down or print out the information related to the transaction. This would include: the seller�s name, address and telephone number; the name of the person you spoke with, if applicable; a description of what you ordered; and the seller�s delivery date, terms and return policies.
H. Protect your password. Be creative when creating a password and never share it with anyone. Avoid using easy to guess passwords such as portions of your Social Security Number, telephone numbers, family member or pet names, anniversaries or birthdays.
I. Review billing statements for errors or unauthorized purchases promptly. Notify your financial institution immediately if your credit card, debit card, or checkbook is lost or stolen, or if you suspect unauthorized use.