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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 26, 2005 Millionaire Medfordites ‘in shock’ Wests, financial experts discuss ways to handle $340 million Powerball jackpot By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Life down easy street has turned into a rough ride for Steve and Carolyn West as they grapple with how to deal with the $340 million they won in the biggest Powerball jackpot on record. "We’re still in shock," said Steve West, 48, as he ventured back to his Medford home Tuesday afternoon. The self-employed landscaper, who was visiting with extended family members at his home, said the intense public scrutiny has left him concerned for the safety of his four children, particularly after seeing pictures of two of them in the newspaper. He met briefly with some members of the media, which began lining up outside his house shortly after his arrival, but wouldn’t allow photos or videos taken of him or his family. West said he hadn’t taken the winning ticket to the Oregon Lottery in Salem, preferring first to meet with various experts as he tries to make sense of it all. Advertisement "We don’t know what we’re going to do with that money," he said. He referred further questions to Curt Bennett, a Medford financial adviser who is acting as the family’s spokesperson. Bennett said the family will hold a press conference Nov. 8 in Salem at a time to be announced. He said family members haven’t yet determined how they will take their winnings — in a lump sum or in installments. "We’re in conversations," Bennett said. "He’s had conversations with a number of advisers." Despite the changes in the Wests’ lives, "they’re doing fine," Bennett said. Lottery spokesman Chuck Baumann said he discussed various options for dispersing the money with the Wests on Tuesday. If they take a lump sum, they would get $110.1 million after taxes, he said. If they decided to take annual payments over 30 years, they would get about $7.6 million on average in a graduated payment system. Baumann said the Lottery could even split the winnings for the Wests and give a certain portion to each family member every year. "I said, ‘Tell me how you want to divvy this up and we can do that,’ " he said. Baumann said Bennett indicated family members likely would bring their ticket to Salem on Nov. 8. After the ticket has been verified, Baumann said the family still has 60 days to figure out how it wants to disperse the money. Most major Lottery winners don’t opt for the payment plan, however. "The last seven took the cash option," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Millionaire Medfordites �in shock� ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s