Commissioner’s Meeting 4-26-12

Jefferson County Commissioner's Meeting April 26, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/embed/nB0ko9jhNdk (Starting around video minute 39) Tammy Monroe is introduced as the interim health dept. administrator, replacing Ralph Armand. Ms. Monroe provides updates on septic permits still being processed for several tornado victims almost 2-months after the disaster. She said there is a possibility of getting State funds for septic systems. They hope to have answers in a few short days.  Commissioner Julie Berry promised to contact the State. The board also discussed that FEMA covers up to 70% of costs, but the applicant must first demonstrate that no other insurance coverage is available.  The Health Dept. is issuing certificates of occupancy to a few grandfathered sites but the owner must validate their systems within 1 year. Two homeowners are unable to rebuild on their existing storm damaged site. Ms. Monroe also said they are revisiting the "Approved Installer" process after public outpouring of serious concerns with the administration of the Health Dept.

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Administrator Wanted

NOTICE: Health Officer Wanted Jefferson County Health Dept. Administrator Annual Salary $38,804 plus full benefits Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions: Degree in management / administration or related field and three to five years administrative or management experience, or any combination of education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Yes, that is correct, as long as you have some form of management experience and basic skills and abilities you can qualify for this elite position which only requires a  high school diploma or GED equivalent. This position opening will be addressed at the next scheduled public meeting of Jefferson County Board of Health meeting  at 12 pm., May 1st, 2012. Don't waste another minute, send your resume today to: The Jefferson County Board of Health Tel: 812-273-1942 715 Green Road Madison, IN 47250 (map) Attention: Dr. John Hossler, Health Officer • Home Tel: 812-265-0892 (email)

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Enviromental Specialist

Full Time Environmental Specialist Position Annual Salary $27,279 plus full benefitsMinimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:High school graduate with 2 years environmental experience, or any combination of education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skill and abilities required to maintain the same consistent level of incompetence and lack of integrity this position demands.This position is currently filled by Michael New, Chief Environmental Specialist.

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Letter to Madison Courier Editor

The Madison Courier OUR VIEW editorial on April 18th, 2012,  stated “but we still don’t know why Armand was fired.” Editor's Note: Had your reporters accurately covered and reported on ALL of the contentious issues raised by the countless victims during these public meetings and verified that Mr. Armand was exposed as misrepresenting the truth in the first place, you would not have asked such a foolhardy question, unless for political reasons. 100 Percent Armand Contrary to the Madison Courier article by Seth Grundhoeffer on 4/18/2012, Sherry Chapo has not led the community movement to have Armand removed from office. This grassroots movement was formed by concerned citizens from all walks of life that joined forces to protect the tornado victims from a predatory health administrator, heavy-highhandedly exerting authority not specifically granted in the State Rules and County Health Codes. In the article, Mr. Armand called the decision to dismiss him “100 percent political” Exactly, what is political about a 7-member board comprised of 4-democrates and 3-republicans voting unanimously to dismiss their hired and not elected administrator for cause? Mr. Armand also claimed this old and tired defense in his prior felony Grand Jury indictment. Mr. Armand further stated “Everything we’ve done has improved (the health department) 100 percent” The fact that only 4 (formal) complaints have been acknowledged by Mr. Armand in almost 30-years of dedicated service to the ungrateful public is proof that his administration has not followed procedures mandated under the State Rules and County Health Ordinances. When a question or forbid a dispute arises, there simply is no record on record. If not for Commissioner, Tom Pietrykowski, the voice of reason and the people, the lack of a responsive appeals process, along with other blatant deficiencies, misrepresentations and downright lies perpetrated on the public by this health department administrator and his staff would never have been exposed to the media and forced to be addressed by the health board. The simple process of applying for a septic permit is overly complicated, burdensome, arbitrary and restricted to a small controlled pool of “approved installers” with an over-inflated price tag worthy of supporting a lucrative personal life style for someone. The health department has enabled this oppressive administrator to negatively impact the economic viability of Jefferson County for decades. As the rest of the nation slowly crawls to recovery, we have reached our day of reckoning. As of April 18th, only 2-septic permit applications are on record in our county for 2012. In comparison, 38 permits were issued in 2011. These numbers speak volumes. Jefferson County has earned the reputation of being a wonderful place to visit, put don’t even think about moving your family or business here. Mr. Armand has been justly dismissed, but the same flawed ordinances and staff trained and contaminated by the current administration remains unchanged. A replacement or interim administrator will be addressed by the Board of Health…

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FEMA Storm Aid Deadline

FEMA Assistance Deadline May 8 is the last day to register for FEMA Individual Assistance for the Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes Major Disaster Declared March 9, 2012 (DR-4058)The first step for homeowners, renters and business owners to obtain federal disaster assistance is to register with FEMA. One easy way to apply is to call the toll-free telephone registration (800) 621-FEMA (3362). This number is also a help line individuals may call to ask questions and verify their registration.For speech-or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Registration is also possible online at www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov.You can APPEAL a FEMA decision!If you have already registered with FEMA and received a letter saying you are ineligible for assistance, you can appeal the determination. A successful appeal could be as simple as providing missing paperwork, providing a correct address or updating FEMA with additional damage discovered since you registered.The first step in the appeal process is to write a letter to FEMA explaining why you think you are eligible for more coverage than originally determined. The letter must be postmarked within 60 days of the decision letter’s date. Mail the letter to:FEMA National Processing Service CenterP.O. Box 10055Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055or fax to: 1-800-827-8112

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