Really, Really Free Market in May

Sunday, May 1 · 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Boone County Courthouse Square
8th St. between Ash & Walnut
Columbia, MO

Have you seen your garage? What about all that stuff in your closet? Is it on your list to downsize this year? Well, you are in luck, because the next Really, Really Free Market of Columbia is back in full swing!

April 3, RRFM opened for the season, and we had a great turnout! This event of unconditional giving is similar to a swapmeet, where everyone comes together in one place to offer things they no longer want or need, or to share skills with the community, except everything is FREE.

So how do you participate, you ask? On Sunday, May 1, about 12:15-12:30, bring any nice, usable stuff you are ready to send off to a new home, and set up anywhere in the square. Most people grab a spot on the terraced area or in the grass. You can also set up to offer services, or performances. (see Notes section of our Facebook page for ideas!)

OR

If you don't feel you have anything to give at this time, but just want to come and look around, this event is for you too! If people didn't come get stuff, then we wouldn't get rid of anything. So please come on out!

Just remember: There's NO MONEY EXCHANGES, NO BARTERING, NO TRADING, and please NO SOLICITING FOR BUSINESS. This is an event based solely on everything offered being free, with no ulterior motives.

So, why do we do this? Why is everything being offered for FREE? Why not? Seriously, there are as many reasons to give away things for free as there are people giving things away. We just hope you'll join us!

Bring your friends.
Tell your neighbors.
Suggest it to your roomies.
Share with your kids.

Hope to see you there!

PLEASE READ THE FAQS HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=106429666046960

Columbia Housing Authority - Resident Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting Agenda for Thursday, May 5, 2011

The full agenda packet for the upcoming meeting of the Resident Advisory Board of the Columbia Housing Authority on Thursday, May 5, 2011 has been posted to our web site at:

http://www.columbiaha.com/about/resident_advisory_board.asp

The full agenda packet is also available for review by the public at the following locations:

CHA Administration Building, 201 Switzler Street.

CHA Family Self-Sufficiency Center inside the J.W. “Blind” Boone Community Center, 301 North Providence Road.

Oak Towers Manager’s Office, 700 North Garth Avenue.

Paquin Tower Manager’s Office, 1201 Paquin Street.

Bear Creek Manager’s Office 1109 Elleta Boulevard.

Please contact me if you have any questions or need additional information at this time.

Thank you,

Phil Steinhaus, CEO

Columbia Housing Authority

573-443-2556 x1100

VA hospital to begin 24/7 visiting policy Move might aid patient healing.

When the medical staff told Mike Todd’s wife and four daughters he wasn’t going to survive the heart attack that brought him from Johnson County to Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital before dawn April 15, the words hung heavily in the air.

“We went in there to say goodbye,” said his wife, Joyce.

Mike Todd’s youngest, 33-year-old Cassandra, clutched her dad and sobbed inconsolably; his eldest daughter, Sheryl Book, 41, tried to think beyond the sudden, overwhelming grief.

That’s when she gently said, “Mama, you’ve got to decide what funeral home you’re going to take him to.”

And that’s when Mike Todd, 63, a Vietnam War veteran, stirred and his vital signs strengthened.

Source:
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/apr/27/va-hospital-to-begin-247-visiting-policy/

Medicaid Block Grants Mean Low Income Older Adults Could Lose Benefits

Published on 2011/04/26

The result of block granting Medicaid would mean taking health care coverage away from millions of low-income older adults and people with disabilities.

News Release, April 25, 2011

PDF Download Link:
http://www.nsclc.org/about-us/nsclc-in-the-news/Issue%20Brief%20-%20Medicaid%20Block%20Grants%20April%202011.pdf

Missouri Senate OKs drug tests for welfare recipients

The Missouri Senate has endorsed legislation allowing drug tests of welfare recipients if the state suspects they’re using illegal drugs.

The Senate version of the bill would allow welfare recipients to continue receiving benefits if they complete a drug treatment program. Sen. Jolie Justus, a Kansas City Democrat, said Tuesday that the provision would help people overcome the problems that had made them ineligible.

The legislation would require that the state use a less sophisticated drug test to lower the cost from a projected $300,000 per year. It would also require that electronic benefit cards include a photo of the recipient and be renewed every three years.

The bill still needs a second Senate vote before returning to the House.


Source:
http://www.newstribune.com/news/2011/apr/27/missouri-senate-oks-drug-tests-welfare-recipients/

Paquin Geo Thermal Update

Drilling looks to be about over the half way point on the 40 wells that must be drilled behind Paquin Tower and work is well under way in the entire first floor section of Paquin Tower.

So far going to plan except for weather delays for the drilling crew. I would not want to be standing near a huge Lightening Rod firmly grounded either.

[Opinion]Ryan’s Medicare plan would hurt seniors

Congressman Paul Ryan, House Budget Committee chairman, has a great idea to allegedly save money for Medicare. He wants to eliminate Medicare and have private carriers cover all seniors.

Guess what? We have that as an option now. It is called Medicare Advantage. In this program, any senior can opt to be covered by the competing private carriers, and Medicare pays these carriers.

Beware! He wants to limit government contributions to you for coverage. Premiums will go up, but Medicare payments do not. So, who pays? You!

Let’s look at reality.

Currently about 24 percent of seniors are in Medicare Advantage plans. It costs Medicare (taxpayers) about $14 billion more annually to cover them than if they were in regular Medicare. Projecting out, it would cost about $56 billion more annually if all seniors were covered privately.

But wait! It can be worse for taxpayers. In 2008, insurance lobbyists had the Republicans try to increase their payments to a level that would cost $75 billion more annually to cover all. Can he tell me again how we have savings from paying an additional $75 billion? And I have not mentioned the uncontrolled private industry increases we can expect above that.

Don’t believe that? Why are we complaining about health care? Because prices have been skyrocketing for many years. So, our taxes will go up for the additional $75 billion, or if Ryan limits government payments, seniors go broke paying premiums. We might save $1,000 in taxes but spend $5,000 in premiums.

Source:
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/apr/26/ryans-medicare-plan-would-hurt-seniors/

PTRA Election Results 4 25 2011

Now remember some of these positions are only until the next election process that begins at the August PTRA Meeting with the nominations at which time the entire election process begins all over again officially and by the By Laws and Robert's Rules Of Order.

President is Daniel Jones - replacement
Vice President is Jeff Shirley - replacement
Secretary is Sandra Van Sickle - replacement
Treasure is Tony Watson - replacement
Shari Bauer retains the position of Sargent At Arms as her term was not up and she is not one of the officers who quit the PTRA and left the entire PTRA with out a governing committee.

Those officers who quit causing this entire re-election process are:

Debbie Miner President by illegal appointment according to the PTRA By Laws.

Richard Craghead Treasurer who was the President by legal vote but stepped aside and illegally promoted Debbie Miner to President.

Charlie Murdock Vice President by illegal election according to PTRA By Laws.

Michael Barnes Alternate illegally elected by PTRA By Laws.

John Ward Secretary who was the only legal officer from original staff according to By Laws.
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The Bloggers view point:

Paquin Tower is a microcosm of what our society has become today in how it chooses it's elected PTRA Board. It is the old popularity contest just like we see in City,County,State and Federal elections. It is about who is the most popular instead of who is the most qualified and when this happens all citizens suffer due to the lack of real solid leadership but that seems the status quo of where our society is headed these days. People forget the hard work other citizens have done over the years but yet they themselves rarely step up into the vacuum when those hard workers are no longer present.

Welcome to the new American way.

What we must remember though as citizens is that our vote does count even if our candidate of choice loses. We must remember that as time goes on those who influence and corrupt elections will always be brought into the light as time moves forward and other citizens will see them exposed for whom they really are.

One thing the residents of Paquin Tower need to remember are these simple rules of thumb about the Paquin Tower Resident Association:

It is just good politics!

It is just good politics for all Residents/Members of the Paquin Tower Resident Association to always stand up and ask questions about what the PTRA Board is doing for them or not doing for them.

You the Residents/Members have ALL of the power with your voices and your votes at all meetings.

This is your Resident Association and NOT that of a Select Group Of People!

Speak up today and demand more accountability from the elected officers of the PTRA! Remember Government from the bottom up!

If you the resident of Paquin Tower always adhere to these simple principles you can remain in control of the Resident Association Board but if you forget these basic principles or you grow lax in your vigilance then you will lose control of your Resident Association Board just like in years past and NO SOLID ADVOCACY will be enacted that truly speaks for you the resident of Paquin Tower and you will be stuck with the same old PTRA that does NOTHING for you.

This is your Resident Association and as I stated above Government is from the Bottom up and not the top down!

Robert's Rules Of Order Cheat Sheet

Thank you Phil Steinhaus for providing this.

Introduction to Robert's Rules of Order

What Is Parliamentary Procedure?

 It is a set of rules for conduct at meetings, that allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion.

Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important?

 Because it's a time tested method of conducting business at meetings and public gatherings. It can be adapted to fit the needs of any organization. Today, Robert's Rules of Order newly revised is the basic handbook of operation for most clubs, organizations and other groups. So it's important that everyone know these basic rules!

Organizations using parliamentary procedure usually follow a fixed order of business. Below is a typical example:

1. Call to order.
2. Roll call of members present.
3. Reading of minutes of last meeting.
4. Officers reports.
5. Committee reports.
6. Special orders --- Important business previously designated for consideration at this meeting.
7. Unfinished business.
8. New business.
9. Announcements.
10. Adjournment.


The method used by members to express themselves is in the form of moving motions. A motion is a proposal that the entire membership take action or a stand on an issue. Individual members can:

1. Call to order.
2. Second motions.
3. Debate motions.
4. Vote on motions.

There are four Basic Types of Motions:


1. Main Motions: The purpose of a main motion is to introduce items to the membership for their consideration. They cannot be made when any other motion is on the floor, and yield to privileged, subsidiary, and incidental motions.

2. Subsidiary Motions: Their purpose is to change or affect how a main motion is handled, and is voted on before a main motion.
3. Privileged Motions: Their purpose is to bring up items that are urgent about special or important matters unrelated to pending business.

4. Incidental Motions: Their purpose is to provide a means of questioning procedure concerning other motions and must be considered before the other motion.

How are Motions Presented?


1. Obtaining the floor
a. Wait until the last speaker has finished.
b. Rise and address the Chairman by saying, "Mr. Chairman, or Mr. President."
c. Wait until the Chairman recognizes you.

2. Make Your Motion
a. Speak in a clear and concise manner.
b. Always state a motion affirmatively. Say, "I move that we ..." rather than, "I move that we do not ...".
c. Avoid personalities and stay on your subject.

3. Wait for Someone to Second Your Motion

4. Another member will second your motion or the Chairman will call for a second.

5. If there is no second to your motion it is lost.

6. The Chairman States Your Motion
a. The Chairman will say, "it has been moved and seconded that we ..." Thus placing your motion before the membership for consideration and action.
b. The membership then either debates your motion, or may move directly to a vote.
c. Once your motion is presented to the membership by the chairman it becomes "assembly property", and cannot be changed by you without the consent of the members.

7. Expanding on Your Motion
a. The time for you to speak in favor of your motion is at this point in time, rather than at the time you present it.
b. The mover is always allowed to speak first.
c. All comments and debate must be directed to the chairman.
d. Keep to the time limit for speaking that has been established.
e. The mover may speak again only after other speakers are finished, unless called upon by the Chairman.

8. Putting the Question to the Membership
a. The Chairman asks, "Are you ready to vote on the question?"
b. If there is no more discussion, a vote is taken.
c. On a motion to move the previous question may be adapted.

Voting on a Motion:

The method of vote on any motion depends on the situation and the by-laws of policy of your organization. There are five methods used to vote by most organizations, they are:


1. By Voice -- The Chairman asks those in favor to say, "aye", those opposed to say "no". Any member may move for a exact count.
2. By Roll Call -- Each member answers "yes" or "no" as his name is called. This method is used when a record of each person's vote is required.
3. By General Consent -- When a motion is not likely to be opposed, the Chairman says, "if there is no objection ..." The membership shows agreement by their silence, however if one member says, "I object," the item must be put to a vote.
4. By Division -- This is a slight verification of a voice vote. It does not require a count unless the chairman so desires. Members raise their hands or stand.
5. By Ballot -- Members write their vote on a slip of paper, this method is used when secrecy is desired.

There are two other motions that are commonly used that relate to voting.


6. Motion to Table -- This motion is often used in the attempt to "kill" a motion. The option is always present, however, to "take from the table", for reconsideration by the membership.
7. Motion to Postpone Indefinitely -- This is often used as a means of parliamentary strategy and allows opponents of motion to test their strength without an actual vote being taken. Also, debate is once again open on the main motion.

Parliamentary Procedure is the best way to get things done at your meetings. But, it will only work if you use it properly.


1. Allow motions that are in order.
2. Have members obtain the floor properly.
3. Speak clearly and concisely.
4. Obey the rules of debate.
5. Most importantly, BE COURTEOUS.

Thought of the day

"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; SMALL MINDS discuss people.”

Where do you fit in?

The April issue of The Resident newsletter is available.

The Resident is the only national newsletter created by the Department of Housing and Urban Development exclusively for tenants of public housing.

Its aim is to provide tenants with information, inspiration, and ideas - all the while creating a bridge between HUD and the people it serves.

In this Issue

"A GED Program, As Close as Home"

"Gaining New Skills at Milwaukee Neighborhood Networks"

"Tips: Getting the Most Out of CSSR"

"Help Corner: More on Father's Day 2011"

This is a free PDF download available here:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=ResidentENewsletter042011.pdf

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Increasing Access: Reaching Out to Rural Veterans

Nearly 40 percent of enrolled Veterans live in rural areas of our country. This includes men and women Veterans of all ages, races and ethnic groups. Like other individuals living in rural areas, Veterans have difficulty in obtaining access to quality health care. The reasons for this are multiple and varied, but mainly stem from the need to travel long distances to health care facilities, lack of health insurance, and lack of specialty care providers working in rural areas. As a result, rural populations tend to be in poorer health; in fact, a study by the Office of Health and Human Services estimates that half of the adults living in rural areas suffer from a chronic health condition. With regard to rural Veterans, there are the unique health complications associated with combat exposure such as PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injury.

Over the past decades, VA has transformed itself from an in-patient tertiary care system to an out-patient health care system with an emphasis on prevention and patient-centered care using the electronic health record and patient aligned care teams. The Office of Rural Health was created in March 2007 to bring this model of care to Veterans in rural and highly rural areas. It’s a model that can provide not only the specialty care that can meet the unique health needs of Veterans, but one that can also provide care to meet the needs associated with chronic illness and aging.

Source:
http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/?p=2101

Aid to US veterans' caregivers slow

Implementation of a law signed by US President Barack Obama last year to provide aid for caregivers of US war veteran has been slow or severely limited.


Caregivers to US war veterans thus do not receive the benefits promised to them by law, a Press TV correspondent reports.

The Department of Veterans Affairs missed a January 31 deadline to kick off the so-called Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.

The program would have provided financial assistance, healthcare and counseling to qualified veterans.

The United Health Foundation and the National Alliance for Caregiving recently released a survey of those who care for the disabled veterans, according to which nearly all the caregivers are women.

Primary caregivers of veterans are usually spouses or parents, which is not the norm for ordinary caregivers in America.

“Some of the injured can be as young as 19 years old. And you could be doing this for quite a long period of time,” says Barbara Cohoon, from the National Military Family Association.

Two-thirds of the caregivers to war veterans find themselves in “high-burden” situations, which involve helping the veterans with such basic activities as dressing, bathing and feeding, and many have been in that role for a decade or more.

Experts say the burden of being a longtime veteran caregiver has serious negative effects. The majority of caregivers ignore their own basic health needs, while the children of caregivers offen experience emotional or academic problems.

Source:
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/172546.html