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Exclusions FAQ
Answers to Questions Concerning Exclusions
What is the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE)?
OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) provides information to the health care industry, patients and the public regarding individuals and entities currently excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs. Individuals and entities who have been reinstated are removed from the LEIE.
What authority does the OIG have to exclude individual or entities? Are there different types of exclusions?
The OIG imposes exclusions under the authority of sections 1128 and 1156 of the Social Security Act. A list of all OIG exclusions and their statutory authorities can be found on the Exclusion Authorities page.
What is OIG's Administrative Process for Imposing Exclusions?
OIG's exclusions process is governed by regulations that implement sections of the Social Security Act. When an individual or entity gets a Notice of Intent to Exclude, it does not necessarily mean that they will be excluded. OIG will carefully consider all material provided by the person who received the Notice before making a decision. All exclusions implemented by OIG may be appealed to an HHS Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and any adverse decision may be appealed to the HHS Departmental Appeals Board (DAB). Judicial review in Federal court is also available after a final decision by the DAB.
When OIG is considering excluding an individual or entity under Section 1128 of the Social Security Act (Act), the administrative process is governed by regulations codified at 42 C.F.R. sections 1001.2001 through 1001.2007. The process varies somewhat, depending upon the basis for the proposed exclusion.
For all proposed mandatory exclusions (§§1128(a)(1)-(4) of the Act) that are longer than the mandatory minimum five-year period, and most proposed permissive exclusions (§§1128(b)(1)-(b)(5), (b)(8)-(b)(11), and (b)(14)-(b)(15), and (b)(16) of the Act), the administrative process is the same. OIG sends out a written Notice of Intent to Exclude to any individual that we are considering excluding. The Notice of Intent to Exclude includes the basis for the proposed exclusion and a statement about the potential effect of an exclusion.
The Notice of Intent to Exclude is pre-decisional and allows the individual 30 days to respond in writing with any information or evidence relevant to whether the exclusion is warranted and to raise any other related issues, such as mitigating circumstances. OIG considers all available information in making a final decision about whether to impose the exclusion.
If we decide to proceed with exclusion, we send the individual or entity a Notice of Exclusion along with information about the effect of the exclusion and appeal rights. For mandatory exclusions that are for the minimum five year period, we may not send a Notice of Intent to Exclude. For these exclusions, a Notice of Exclusion is the first notification sent. Exclusions are effective 20 days after the Notice of Exclusion is mailed, and notice to the public is provided on OIG's website. The exclusion may be appealed to an HHS Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and any adverse decision may be appealed to the HHS Departmental Appeals Board (DAB). Judicial review is also available after a final decision by the DAB.
When a permissive exclusion is being considered under §1128(b)(6) of the Act, the Notice of Intent to Exclude allows the individual or entity to request an opportunity to present oral argument to an OIG official before a decision about whether to exclude is reached. This is in addition to the right to submit documentary evidence and written argument.
If OIG decides to proceed with exclusion, we send the individual or entity a Notice of Exclusion and the subsequent administrative process is identical to the one described above. When a permissive exclusion is imposed under §§ 1128(b)(12) or (b)(13) of the Act, OIG is not required to send a Notice of Intent to Exclude. We send the individual or entity a Notice of Exclusion along with information about the effect of the exclusion and appeal rights. The exclusion is effective 20 days after the Notice of Exclusion is mailed, and notice to the public is provided on OIG's website. The subsequent administrative process is identical to the one described above.
When OIG is considering excluding an individual or entity under §1128(b)(7) of the Act, the administrative process differs from those described above. OIG will send the individual or entity a Notice of Intent to Exclude, after which the individual or entity has 30 days in which to respond in writing as described above. If OIG decides to proceed with exclusion, we send the individual or entity a Notice of Proposal to Exclude. The written notice will include the basis for the proposed exclusion, the length of the exclusion, the factors we considered in setting the exclusion period, the effect of the exclusion, appeal rights and reinstatement information. The individual or entity may file a written request for a hearing within 60 days of receipt of the Notice of Proposal to Exclude. If the individual or entity does not request a hearing, OIG will send a Notice of Exclusion 60 days after the individual or entity's receipt of the Notice of Proposal to Exclude. The exclusion goes into effect 20 days after the date of the Notice of Exclusion. If the individual or entity makes a timely request for a hearing, an exclusion will not go into effect until and unless the ALJ upholds the OIG's decision to exclude. Any adverse decision may be appealed to the DAB, and judicial review is available after a final decision by the DAB.
What is the scope and effect of an exclusion?
The scope of an exclusion under Title 11 of the Social Security Act is from all Federal health care programs, as defined in 42 CFR 1001.2. Federal health care programs include Medicare, Medicaid, and all other plans and programs that provide health benefits funded directly or indirectly by the United States (other than the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan). For exclusions implemented before August 4, 1997, the exclusion covers only the following Federal health care programs: Medicare, Medicaid, Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, Block Grants to States for Social Service, and State Children's Health Insurance programs. Federal health care program exclusions do not reach other Federal programs (although HHS or another Federal agency could separately initiate a suspension or debarment of an excluded person from other Federal procurement or nonprocurement programs).
The effect of an exclusion is that no payment will be made by any Federal health care program for any items or services furnished, ordered or prescribed by an excluded individual or entity. No program payment will be made for anything that an excluded person furnishes, orders, or prescribes. This payment prohibition applies to the excluded person, anyone who employs or contracts with the excluded person, any hospital or other provider for which the excluded person provides services, and anyone else. The exclusion applies regardless of who submits the claims and applies to all administrative and management services furnished by the excluded person.
There is a limited exception to this payment prohibition for the provision of certain emergency items or services not provided in a hospital emergency room. See 42 CFR 1001.1901(c).
Additional information is available in the Updated Special Advisory Bulletin on the Effect of Exclusions From Participation in Federal Health Programs.
Does the LEIE include exclusions from other agencies?
No, the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities includes only exclusion actions taken by the OIG
When were exclusions first implemented?
OIG has been implementing exclusions since about 1981, but the Department of Health & Human Services first began imposing them in 1977.
Does an exclusion affect a person's right to receive benefits under the Medicare, Medicaid and all Federal health care programs?
No. An exclusion affects only the ability to claim payment from these programs for items or services rendered; it does not affect the ability to receive benefits under the programs.
Does an OIG exclusion affect my ability to participate in a real estate transaction involving Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financing?
No. The statutory authority for OIG's exclusion actions does not prohibit an individual who has been excluded by OIG from participating in any capacity (e.g., buyer, seller, real estate agent, loan processor) in real estate transactions that involve HUD financing. OIG has no authority to make determinations regarding an individual's eligibility to participate in a transaction that involves HUD financing; those determinations are made by HUD.
The effect of an OIG exclusion, and appearance on the General Services Administration's System for Award Management (SAM) website as a result of such exclusion, is that no payment will be made by any Federal health care program for items or services furnished, ordered, or prescribed by the excluded individual in any capacity.
Any questions regarding this issue should be directed to HUD via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or by telephone at (800) CALL-FHA (5342).
What should I do if, when searching the LEIE, I receive a positive match?
Check the Special Advisory Bulletin on the Effect of an Exclusion for guidance. If you have already employed the individual, check the Self-Disclosure Protocol.
What is a waiver?
OIG has the authority to waive an individual or entity's exclusion from participating as a provider in Federal health programs. See Section 1128(c)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act (Act) and 42 C.F.R. 1001.1801(b). Waivers are only available for those excluded providers who are the sole community physician or the sole source of essential specialized services in a community. Waivers cannot be granted to anyone excluded based on a conviction related to patient neglect or abuse. See section 1128(a)(2) of the Act.
A waiver may only be requested by the administrator of a Federal or State health program. Excluded individuals or entities may not request a waiver from the OIG.
A list of current waivers in effect is available on our website.
What is the effect of an exclusion waiver on a payment?
When the OIG grants a waiver to an excluded individual or entity, it permits payment by Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs for items and services that they furnish, order, or prescribe, within the scope of the waiver (e.g., within a specified geographic location or institution, limited to a specific medical specialty, etc.). It is important to note that the waiver means that, within the scope identified in the waiver letter, Federal health care programs will pay for (1) covered services, such as office visits, home visits, and hospital visits, furnished by the physician or other health care provider, (2) hospital stays, medical tests, procedures, and/or equipment ordered by the physician or other health care provider, and (3) drugs, devices, and/or other items prescribed by the health care provider.
How does an excluded individual or entity get reinstated?
Reinstatement of excluded entities and individuals is not automatic once the specified period of exclusion ends. Those wishing to again participate in the Medicare, Medicaid and all Federal health care programs must apply for reinstatement and receive authorized notice from OIG that reinstatement has been granted.
To apply for reinstatement, send a written request to OIG at the address below. OIG will then provide Statement and Authorization forms that you must complete, have notarized, and return. The information contained in these forms will be evaluated and a written notification of OIG's final decision on reinstatement will be sent to you. Generally, this process requires up to 120 days to complete, but can take longer.
Excluded providers may begin the process of reinstatement 90 days before the end of the period specified in the exclusion notice letter. Premature requests will not be considered.
If reinstatement is denied, the excluded party is eligible to reapply after 1 year.
To apply for reinstatement, send a written request to:
Attn: Exclusions
P.O. Box 23871
Washington, DC 20026
(202) 691-2298 (Fax)
Obtaining a provider number from a Medicare contractor, a State agency or a Federal health care program does not reinstate eligibility to participate in those programs. Additional information in regulations can be found at 42 CFR 1001.3001-3005.
What is the difference between the LEIE and the General Services Administration's (GSA) Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) and System for Award Management (SAM) websites?
GSA administers EPLS and SAM, both of which contain debarment actions taken by various Federal agencies, including exclusion actions taken by the OIG. The List of Excluded Individuals/Entities contains only the exclusion actions taken by the OIG. You may access the EPLS at: http://www.epls.gov and SAM at https://www.sam.gov.
How can I report fraud or abuse related to the Medicare and Medicaid programs?
You may use the contact information on the OIG Hotline page.
How do I contact someone about exclusions?
Attn: Exclusions
P.O. Box 23871
Washington, DC 20026
Telephone: (202) 691-2311
Fax: (202) 691-2298
Email: email@example.com
For purposes of the exclusion authority in section 1128(b)(8) of the Social Security Act (SSA), does an "immediate family member" include the lawfully married same-sex spouse of a person and family members that result from the lawful marriage of same-sex individuals?
Yes. Section 1128(j)(1) of the SSA and the regulations at 42 CFR 1001.1001(a)(2) define the term "immediate family member" to mean the person's:
- Husband or wife;
- Natural or adoptive parent, child, or sibling;
- Stepparent, stepchild, stepbrother or stepsister;
- Father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister- in-law;
- Grandparent or grandchild; and
- Spouse of a grandparent or grandchild.
In United States v. Windsor, 570 U.S. __, 113 S. Ct. 2675 (2013), the Supreme Court ruled that section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. In light of this decision, the Department has instituted a policy of treating same-sex marriages on the same terms as opposite-sex marriages to the greatest extent reasonably possible. This FAQ clarifies Windsor's application to the exclusion authority under section 1128(b)(8) of the SSA. Effective June 26, 2013, the date of the Windsor decision, same-sex spouses and family members that result from same-sex marriages meet the definition of "immediate family member" if the state or other jurisdiction, whether foreign or domestic, where the couple was married recognizes the marriage under its laws, or if the state(s) or other jurisdiction(s) where the couple lives recognizes the marriage as a legally valid marriage. Any transfer of ownership or control interest in anticipation of or following a person's conviction, assessment, or exclusion (as described in section 1128(b)(8)(A)(iii) of the SSA) that is made on or after June 26, 2013 is subject to this policy.
Answers to Questions Concerning the LEIE
What is the data format for the LEIE?
The List of Excluded Individuals/Entities is available in two formats:
The Online Searchable Database enables users to enter the name of an individual or entitiy and determine whether they are currently excluded. If a match is made on an individual, the database can verify with an individual's Social Security Number (SSN) that the match is unique. Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) are available for verification of excluded entities.
The LEIE Downloadable Database enables users to download the entire LEIE to a personal computer. Supplemental exclusion and reinstatement files are posted monthly to the OIG website, and these files can be merged with your previously downloaded data file to update your list.
If you do not wish to rely on the supplements to keep your information updated, download the Downloadable Data File each month.
Note: The Downloadable Database does not contain SSNs or EINs. Therefore, verification of specific individuals or entities through the use of the SSN or EIN must be done via the Online Searchable Database.
When is the LEIE updated with new information?
Both versions of the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities are generally updated by the middle of the month. The updates include all actions taken during the prior month.
Can you notify me when the LEIE is updated?
Sign up, located on the bottom right of every page, to receive email notifications when the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities is updated or sign up here to receive an RSS feed of updates.
Why is there a field to verify using SSNs on the Online Searchable Database, but the SSNs are not available in the Downloadable Data File?
The Privacy Act prohibits disclosing Social Security numbers (SSN), so they cannot be included in the Downloadable Database. However, the Online Searchable Database uses the SSN input by the user as one of the matching criteria. It does not supply SSNs to users. If you are a user of the Downloadable Database - and have a possible match on an individual and want to verify with a SSN - you should use the Online Searchable Database's SSN feature to verify an identity.
What is the most efficient way to search the LEIE?
If you have only a few names to search, consider using the Online Searchable Database. It allows you to search up to five names at one time and to verify identities using a Social Security number or date of birth.
If you have a large group of individuals to search, consider downloading the entire list via the LEIE Downloadable Database to your computer and using a spreadsheet or database program to perform searches.
Note: The Downloadable Database does not contain SSNs or EINs. Therefore, verification of specific individuals or businesses through the use of the SSN or EIN must be done via the Online Searchable Database.
What is a UPIN?
The UPIN (unique physician identification number) was established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as a unique provider identifier in lieu of the SSN. UPINs were assigned to physicians as well as certain nonphysician practitioners and medical group practices.
What is an NPI?
The NPI (national provider identifier) has replaced the UPIN (see question above) as the unique number used to identify health care providers. The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services first began assigning NPIs in 2006, and providers were required to use NPIs as of mid-2008.
Why do many LEIE records not contain NPIs, and which records include NPIs?
Many individuals and entities that are excluded by the OIG do not have National Provider Identifiers (NPI) to include in the LEIE. For those individuals and entities that have NPIs, OIG has added that information to records starting in 2008 and will include NPIs in LEIE records on a forward-going basis.
How do I obtain information on the DOB, UPIN, NPI, or the SSN if it isn't in the LEIE?
If a search result does not contain a DOB (date of birth), UPIN (unique physician identification number), NPI (national provider identifier), or SSN (Social Security number), it is not available from the OIG. Contact the Exclusions Staff to determine if there is any other information available.
Why are there providers in the LEIE that are not included in the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Public Use File?
The LEIE is a complete list of all currently excluded individuals and entities that have been excluded by the OIG pursuant to sections 1128, 1128A, and 1156 of the Social Security Act. The NPDB's Public Use File contains NPDB data specified under Titles IV of Public Law 99 660 and Section 1921 of the Social Security Act.
The criteria for inclusion in the NPDB are different than the criteria for inclusion in the LEIE. As a result, the records of many individuals and entities excluded by the OIG are not contained in the NPDB Public Use File. For example, a DME business owner that has been excluded by the OIG and included in the LEIE will not be found on the NPDB Public Use File.
Why are there providers in the NPDB who are not listed in the LEIE?
The LEIE contains all individuals and entities that are currently excluded. Once an individual or entity has been reinstated, they are removed from the LEIE. In contrast, the NPDB contains information on both exclusions and reinstatement actions taken by the OIG. Further, the NPDB contains records on additional providers who have not been excluded by OIG and therefore would not appear in the LEIE.
How can I obtain a copy of an individual's or entity's exclusion notice?
Submit a written request with a printout from the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities identifying the individual or entity. Requests without the printout will be returned. Generally, the only documentation available is the exclusion notice that informs the subject of the exclusion and its basis, its effect and the subject's appeal rights. If the subject has been reinstated, the notice informing the subject of that action is still available.
Attn: Exclusions
P.O. Box 23871
Washington, DC 20026
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This is a compilation of citations to publications by faculty, graduate students, and academic staff at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Coverage dates back to 2000 and includes journal articles, books, book sections, dissertations, conference proceedings, patents, and other published materials. Citations are added on an ongoing basis from PubMed MEDINE and other databases as well as faculty and departmental sources.
The listing is assembled by Reference Services at the Flower-Sprecher Veterinary Library. Please contact Reference Services, at email@example.com or 253-3310 for any additions and corrections.

subset: commoncrawl


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Hotel Altstadt3
Kirchgasse 4, Zürich, 8001
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About the hotel
Hotel Altstadt is located in Zurich's historical town centre, within walking distance of the city's most popular attractions. Set in surroundings rich in atmosphere and local history, the hotel's tastefully designed interior offers guests a unique ambience that tells its own special stories. Each of the hotel's 25 rooms features oneof-a-kind artworks created by a swiss artist depicting handwritten texts by famous poets.
The rooms thus have their own individualised visual character and theme. The bar of the Altstadt hotel is popular for its aromatic coffee, fine wines and the jazz background music.
Read MoreLess
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Facilities Show/hide
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- Hotel Non-Smoking Throughout, Air conditioning in rooms, Safety Deposit Box, Minibar in each room, Telephone In Each Room, Wake Up Call Available, Currency Exchange, Pets Allowed, Lift to all floors
- Business
- Wi-Fi Available, Wi-Fi Available In Public Areas, Wi-Fi Available In Rooms, Secretary Service
- In Room Entertainment
- TV, Radio
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- Between 14:00 and 00:00
- By 11:00 hours
- Up to 5 years old
- The price shown is based on the occupancy and dates you have searched for. Prices and availability are subject to change based on the arrival date, number of nights and occupancy searched for. All prices are inclusive of all local taxes.
- Pets are allowed
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Despite the benefits of the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) many patients still face serious barriers to accessing quality care.
The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) is among the 333 patient organizations that signed the "I Am (Still) Essential" letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sylvia Mathews Burwell calling for immediate measures to improve how the Affordable Care Act is implemented in the coming year. Critical issues highlighted include: restrictions to benefits, expensive co-payments for patients, and difficult-to-understand plans. Many members of the LRI National Coalition, including the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, also signed the letter in support.
"I Am (Still) Essential" Campaign STILL Working for Millions of Patients
This letter to Secretary Burwell builds on the "I Am Essential" campaign that brought together hundreds of patient groups in a coalition that pressed for comprehensive coverage in the Essential Health Benefits. The coalition has been re-launched under the name "I Am (Still) Essential" to address ACA implementation issues and, as stated in its letter, to work with Secretary Burwell on efforts to revise the Essential Health Benefits for future plan years.
Help Advocate for Better Access to Better Care
Greater access to quality care for people with lupus is a high priority for the LRI and our National Coalition of patient groups throughout the country. Please use the LRI Legislative Action Center to add your voice -- email your legislators in the House of Representatives about the need to support the Patients' Access to Treatments Act (PATA), HR 460. PATA is designed to hold rising patient co-payment drug costs down and increase access to quality treatment.
In addition, August is a perfect time to meet with your legislators to make them aware of lupus and issues important to lupus patients! While Congress is in recess for the month, your Senators and Representatives are often available to see constituents in their hometown offices. To prepare, here is a brief webinar and toolkit with background on the relevant issues for people with lupus and tips on how to advocate effectively.
Your visit could make the difference with a vote supporting the PATA bill and other legislation to increase research funding and improve treatment for lupus!


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SWINDON Town striker Nile Ranger is in trouble with the law yet again after being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in Liverpool.
The player, who is currently out for the season with injury, is being questioned by Merseyside Police after being accused of damaging a car following an argument with a taxi driver in Liverpool City Centre at about 6am this morning.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police has arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of causing criminal damage following an incident in a taxi this morning.
"The man, from Middlesex, was arrested on suspicion of damaging a taxi during an argument with the taxi driver in Water Street Liverpool city centre at about 6am this morning.
"He has been taken to a police station where he will be questioned by officers."
Last month, Ranger was cleared of rape and is due to stand trial in May at a court in Wales after being charged with drink driving.


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Moderators: Timko, Fritz, Solty, Booter, Blake_T, Frank Delicious
new013 wrote:no private courses in your top 10 frank.. keeping them for yourself huh..
keltik wrote:Creekside Park here in Archdale is a hidden gem here in the Triad (Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point).
anborn wrote:*leighfarm (dur/ch) - only played it once, back when they were just installing baskets, it was very rough then, haven't played it since.
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Winter Design Team member Cristine Redmond is back with us today for her final, awesome reveal! Cristine got to work with the Studio Calico Mister Huey's Masks and Mists and she shows us just how easy and effective using mists and masks really are. Super quick cards and an adorable layout - Cristine you rocked the product again!
When I found out that I was going to be working with Studio Calico Mister Huey's Masks and Mists for this post, I did a little happy dance...then I freaked out a little. I don't know about you, but something about misting always intimidates me. I have WAAAY too many mists in my craft room to not be using them, so I took this as a great opportunity to get over my fear and start using them. For this card, I used the hexagon mask and Mister Huey's white mist. I put the card flat on an old cardboard box I use for misting, then placed the mask on top of it. Then I lightly sprayed the mist until I got the color I wanted. Spraying it closer to the paper will make the mist spray heavier and holding it further away will make the mist lighter. I cut some hexagons from my one of my favorite sheets of the My Mind's Eye Collectable collection and filled a few of the spaces, added a piece for the border, then used a coordinating seam binding ribbon to tie it all together. It was so fast and SUPER easy!
This card was so easy to put together as well. I used the same steps above, but this time added small pieces of washi tape to tape the sides of the chevron mask down so it would lay flat better. I also used Mister Huey's Warm Calico mist for this card. I cut a couple banners, added some burlap twine, threw on a flair button and that was it! Again, SUPER easy!
This project was a bit more complicated. I decided to use the 12x12 Starburst mask not only as a mask, but as a stitching template as well. I cut my background paper to size then traced the open sections of the mask with pencil. After getting all of my holes punched, I erased my pencil lines then placed the mask back on the paper and misted it lightly with the white Mister Huey's mist. The hardest part of this project was the stitching aspect of it. If I had left out those steps, this layout would have come together much faster. I love the way it all turned out, though.
I hope this inspires you to steal today and create easy projects of your own!
• • • • •
Thank you so much Cristine! Your cards and are just amazing! You are going to have to teach me how to mask and mist one day! I can't believe this is your last Friday project post as Winter Design Team Member. Thank you for sharing with us all of your amazing projects and talent over the last 3 months - I know I've had a blast! But don't worry ladies - Cristine will be back for one last How To-sday post later in the month.
Thanks for stopping by everyone and be sure to tune in again on Monday for a new Monday Craft Madness!


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DYFED Powys Police have confirmed that they are liaising with both the Crown Prosecution Service and an external force in relation to the report issued by the Wales Audit Office in respect of two unlawful Carmarthenshire County Council transactions last week.
The move follows a request from MP Jonathan Edwards that officers investigate Carmarthenshire County Council's Chief Executive, Mark James and Head of Administration and Law, Linda Rees-Jones, for possible misconduct in public office following public interest reports from the Wales Audit Office concluding the council had acted unlawfully in two key matters.
The Plaid Group at County Hall will meet at 5pm this afternoon to discuss possible motions of no confidence in the council's leadership.
The Guardian understands they will also consider the possibility of calling an extraordinary meeting to debate the growing crisis as soon as possible.
WAO reports published last week investigated the decision of the Council's Executive Board to indemnify the chief executive's legal costs to launch a libel counter-claim against blogger Jacqui Thompson, and the decision of the Executive Board to enable Mr James to avoid tax he would have been due to pay after a change in the law relating to pension contributions for high earners.
Instead of paying employer contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme, "pay supplements" worth £28,750 were credited directly to Mr James on top of his salary.
On the libel indemnity, the Auditor concludes the local authority did not have the power to agree the indemnity – costs of which currently stand at £26,426 – and that the report given to members of the authority's Executive Board to make a decision was not representative of the counsel received.
The report, written by Ms Rees-Jones, has been branded a "sexed-up dossier" by AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas.
Last week the Guardian was told by the Wales Audit Office that the local authority did not seek legal advice specifically on the indemnity as it was advised to by the auditor, but instead relied on general legal advice it had sought four years prior to taking the decision.
Outlining his reasons for contacting the police, Mr Edwards said: "The unlawful indemnity and unlawful pension arrangements have seen over £55,000 of public money spent for the benefit of the Chief Executive.
"The reports are extremely damaging. In my mind the findings justify dismissal of senior council officers and should make the council's elected leadership stand down from their roles.
"But even more worrying is the disclosure of the appointed Auditor that the council did not seek specific legal advice on the lawfulness of granting the indemnity.
"This is a deeply regrettable situation to have been put in. When I entered politics I never thought I would have to report civil servants to the police – this is the darkest day of my career. However, where such serious activities have taken place, I believe it is my duty as a Member of Parliament to stand up for the taxpayers I represent.
"I have contacted both Dyfed Powys and South Wales Police forces to request an investigation into the whole affair in order for the police to satisfy itself that no such misconduct has taken place."
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DYFED Powys Police have confirmed that they are liaising with both the Crown Prosecution Service and an external force in relation to the report issued by the Wales Audit Office in respect of two unlawful Carmarthenshire County Council transactions last week.


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MIAMI - Could 88-year-old Ruth Sherman have been making up that she was groped, strip searched and forced to show her colostomy bag when going through airport security?
What about Linda Kallish or Lenore Zimmerman? They, too, said they were strip searched by Transportation Security Administration agents.
But the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees TSA screeners, claims screeners never conduct strip searches, and in the cases of these three mature travelers, there was "no evidence" to support their claims.
Did the women have a lapse of memory due to old age? Are they liars?
Those sound like terrible accusations, don't they?
Whatever the truth may be, three women say they feel terribly violated.
This could be a great PR opportunity for TSA.
My take: Make prescreening more easily accessible for older travelers, those with disabilities and with medical conditions.
If the Department of Homeland Security is serious about ensuring "high standards" to its travelers, as stated in a letter issued this month, then get going.
There's already a pilot initiative in a limited number of airports, and we're told a 1-800 number will be established to help travelers with special needs.
But it ought to be easy for people to understand and easy for older Americans to get prescreened if they're willing to give some personal information to the TSA.
I can't imagine my grandfather searching for rules and regulations on a website or trying to navigate an automated 1-800 number. He'd want to speak to a person.
TSA agents already on duty at airports could rotate responsibilities for handling prescreening, answering questions or handing out literature.
Sure, we want to be safe and fight threats in the sky, but let's also value our older citizens and those with disabilities.
What do you think?
Copyright 2012 by Post Newsweek. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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The past week in Major League Baseball has featured a diving catch on the warning track by Los Angeles Angels left fielder Mike Trout, a homer-robbing catch by Atlanta Braves left fielder Justin Upton and a brilliant barehanded grab by Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
And would you believe that none of those defensive gems is the best play of the week?
That honor goes to Detroit Tigers catcher Brayan Pena, who survived a collision at home plate against the Seattle Mariners.
Among the other nominees: Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons, Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Martin Prado and New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada.
In all, there are plenty of robberies, as is evident in Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria's look of disbelief after Oakland A's third baseman Josh Donaldson makes a circus catch in foul territory at Tropicana Field.


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Next up in my pet-proofing series: the bathroom. This is a door that many pet owners (myself included!) choose to keep closed. Bathrooms can present a slightly different, additional risk for pet owners... the risk of embarrassment. I remember eating dinner at a friend's apartment in New York when, all of a sudden, I looked over, and her dog had brought us a lovely present he fished out of the bathroom trash can. Charming. She was understandably mortified about this gift and, the next time I visited, I noticed her mini, flip-lid trash can.
To learn about the common bathroom risks for your pet,
- Paper products. So, it's not just about presenting garbage at the feet of strangers, some pets even eat paper – and other surprises – from the trash can. Other pets love to pull paper off the toilet paper roll or even chew and claw the spare rolls. If you feel that the paper products in your bathroom present too much of a temptation for your furry friends, use my simple solution: keep the door closed.
- Laundry. Some pets will fish socks and underwear out of the hamper to scatter throughout the apartment, chew on any soiled clothes, or even decide to crawl in the hamper for a nap. Make sure if you do have a hamper, you keep it closed, and consider the type of lid. You don't want kitty to jump on top, fall in, and get stuck!
- Toilet. I'm guessing you have a toilet and, if you also have a pet, please keep the top lid down! Regardless of the amount of fresh, natural spring water in your pet's bowl, many of them just want a taste of that toilet water. And, if you are letting them kiss you... well, that's a problem in my book.
- Chemicals. Also present in the toilet are dangerous chemicals, especially if you've used those toxic blue tablets. But, even if you just store drain cleaners in the bathroom, keep them out of pets' reach. Also, be careful about any surfaces that pets could be licking or chewing – not only for the cleansers you use on them, but poisonous lead can often be found in paint, linoleum, and caulking compounds!
- Small items. I've found teethmarks on a lip gloss tube from devilish North, so please keep makeup out of reach! Once again, be careful with any small, shiny objects that may fall to the floor... you don't want to wait 'til your earring emerges from the other end!


text: Arts Notes: Sept. 2, 2012 By Sara Busse October 1, 2012 Story Share W.Va. photographersRIO GRANDE, Ohio -- "Attention to Detail: Six West Virginia Photographers" will be presented Sept. 4-28 in the Esther Allen Greer Museum Gallery at the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College.The opening reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 4. The photographers are Mark Crabtree, of Morgantown; Thorney Lieberman and Brittain McJunkin, both of Charleston; Betty Rivard, of Braxton County; Diane Sanders, of Parkersburg; and Greg Sava, of Nicholas County.McJunkin's photograph "Mykonos" won an award at the West Virginia State Juried Exhibition several years ago. It is included in this exhibit as an example of a darkroom print. The exhibit shows both chemical darkroom photographs and digital photographs.Esther Allen Greer Museum Gallery, University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College, Rio Grande, Ohio. Hours 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.Series of Juried ExhibitionsCHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Division of Culture and History will unveil a new exhibit at 6 p.m. Sept. 10, featuring the artwork of 13 award winners in its "Inspired: A West Virginia Series of Juried Exhibitions" at the Culture Center.The exhibit will include art from the top award winners in each of the division's four installations of the series, which began in June 2010 and consisted of West Virginia landscapes, wildlife, historic figures and historic buildings and structures.Artists include Kaylyn Cole, of Fraziers Bottom; Ken Ewing, of Beckley; John Farley, of Huntington; Peter Kephart, of Levels; Brittain McJunkin, of Charleston; Ted Mobley, of Hurricane; Carli Dawn Ratliff, of Oak Hill; Sandi K. Reinhart, of Craigsville; Emily Roles, of Charlestonl Steve Rotsch, of Charleston; April Waltz, of Wheeling; Tommy Warf, of Huntington; and Wendy Wassink, of Fayetteville.The show runs through Feb. 10. Admission is free.The West Virginia State Museum and the State Museum Shop, Culture Center, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday. Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25305-0300; 304-558-0220 or www.wvculture.org.Charleston artistFREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- "Layers of Color" is the latest National Juried Exhibit presented by the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts in its Frederick Gallery through Sept. 28. Among the selected artists is West Virginia's Deborah Herndon whose metallic photograph, "Rising Rock, Virginia Border," will be featured in the show.Fredericksburg Center For Creative Arts, 813 Sophia St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401; 540-373-5646. Hours noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.Birke Art Gallery HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- The slate of Marshall University's Birke Art Gallery exhibitions for fall semester begins with a display of artwork by Cincinnati-based artists/educators Michael Stillion and Kate Labmeier. The exhibit will feature oil paintings and drawings by Stillion, and embroidered "animal portraits" by Labmeier. This is a first joint exhibition for the husband-and-wife duo. Stillion and Labmeier received bachelor of fine arts degrees from the Columbus College of Art and Design. Stillion received a master of fine arts degree from Indiana University. He has been represented in numerous exhibits and awarded several residencies, fellowships and grants, including a Roswell Artist-In-Residence in Roswell, N.M. He is an instructor at the Columbus College of Art and Design.Labmeier received a master's in art education and a master of fine arts degree in visual art from the University of Cincinnati. She has exhibited extensively in Cincinnati, Columbus and throughout the Midwest. She received a Reneé Steidle Award from the Columbus Foundation. Labmeier works at ArtWorks Cincinnati as a public arts manager.The show runs through Sept. 14 and is open to the public.The Birke Art Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday evenings. Smith Hall, Hal Greer Boulevard and Third Avenue, Huntington. Admission is free, and all events are open to the public.South Charleston Museum SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The South Charleston Museum Foundation hosts Dave McCormick, singer and multi-instrumentalist from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 8 at the LaBelle Theatre, 311 D St., South Charleston.East End BazaarCHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston East End Main Street will host the opening of the East End Bazaar Artisan Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 8. The Bazaar is an open-air market featuring a variety of functional and collectible arts and crafts by Appalachian Art Gallery, Capitol Clay Arts Co., ChrizArt, Kanawha Players, Kelly Bryant, Kountry Crow Candles and Soaps, MelBox Designs, the Eco-Beader and more. East End Bazaar, 1428 Washington St. E. (at Ruffner Avenue); 304-767-9800.Artist workshopsCHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Creators Program will present the following continuing-education programs, offered through Digiso at West Virginia State University Economic Development Center, the Arts Council of Kanawha Valley and the West Virginia Film Office:"Conveyor Belt 6.1," instructor Monica Orosz, journalist; 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 8. $20. Writing news releases, contacting media sources and other topics."Music for New Media: Fundamentals of Creating Music for the Mass Media" workshop, presented by Chuck Biel; 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 22. $40."Packaging 5.0," instructor Cartney McCracken, of Rainmaker Media Group, 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 29. $20. Simple tools to market your art and identity."Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property" workshop, presented by Robert Bandy and Kevin Levine, of Kay, Casto & Chaney PLLC; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 2. $25.All workshops will take place at the WVSU Economic Development Center, 1506 Kanawha Blvd. W. To register, contact Naomi Bays of Arts Council of Kanawha Valley, email@example.com or visit www.artskv.org.Autumn at TamarackBECKLEY, W.Va. -- September marks the beginning of a new season of events at Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia, including artisan demonstrations, Sunday @ Two concerts, a fine art exhibit, farmers market, a street performer and an antique car show.Tamarack celebrates the annual Kids' Classic on Sept. 8 with an appearance by Chally Erb, a noted stilt walker.The second annual Best of West Virginia Car Show comes to Tamarack from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15. The Beckley Derby Dames will serve as waitresses on wheels, rolling to background music by Groovy 94 FM. Tamarack will grill "fat and juicy" burgers and other picnic fare, as well as the usual full menu inside the food court. The Shade Tree Car Club provides antique cars for visitors to view.Seasonal vegetables, plants and more greet visitors on Sundays during the weekly Tamarack Farmers Market, which starts at 11:30 a.m.Sundays @ Two features local favorites The Wild Rumpus Sept. 2. Jim and Valerie Gabehart follow on Sept. 9, with Jonathan Butner performing on Sept. 16. Fayetteville native Steve Payne and friends are onstage on Sept. 23 with Hans Creek closing out the month on Sept. 30.Authors Marilyn Shank and Gail Collins Payne will sign their books at Tamarack Sept. 2 and 3 respectively. Sept. 2, Bonnie Blue Crouse offers samples of her homemade pickles, and on Sept. 29 Miss Mona's will offer tastes of her super salsa.The fine art gallery exhibit "Our Appalachia" continues through Oct. 27 with oils, pastels, photography and two- and three-dimensional works of art.Artist demonstrations include:Sept. 2 and 3: Barbara Miles, hardanger embroiderySept. 2: Marty Scharer, agate jewelry; Stephanie Danz, stained glassSept. 7-9: Ginger Danz, fine art; Teresa Holcomb, wooden bookmarks, jewelrySept. 14-16: Christine Keller, wire wrapped jewelry; Elaine Sinclair, basketsSept. 21-23: Ronnie and Allen Hambrick, American Indian flutes and metalwork; Judy Belcher, polymer clay jewelry and accessoriesSept. 28-30: Connie Ridgeway, textiles/apparel; Jo Brewer and Kathy Petrella, dollsTamarack: The Best of West Virginia, exit 45 off Interstate 77, Beckley. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Call 888-262-7225 or visit www.tamarackwv.com.To have your announcement included in Arts Notes, email firstname.lastname@example.com or send it to Arts Notes, The Charleston Gazette, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301. Artwork can be submitted electronically or by mail. Deadline for inclusion in the Sunday Gazette-Mail is the Tuesday before Sunday publication. Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Deer in 8 WV counties found dead from EHD 2 New company planning $73M synthetic fuel plant in Greenbrier County 3 WVU law professor announces run for Congress 4 Richwood mayor on leave amid investigation of purchases 5 Contractors get look at WV Capitol dome damage What's for Dinner: Football season inspires tailgating recipes Previous Story On the Town: Sept. 2, 2012 Next Story


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The Moraga school district's response to a child sexual abuse victim's lawsuit crosses the line of decency by blaming her for being "careless and negligent" and contributing to the crime committed by her middle schoolteacher.
The district's tone-deaf legal filing raises questions about its approach to sexual abuse cases and indicates, as we look at Tuesday's election, that it's time for leadership change.
In this case, there remains no question a criminal act occurred. PE teacher and sports coach Julie Correa is serving an eight-year prison sentence for raping the girl when she was 14. Blaming the victim sends a chilling message to others who might consider coming forward.
We first thought the district's defense might just be the work of an overzealous attorney. But on Friday, after the school board met in a special meeting (one that appears to have been improperly announced), the superintendent reaffirmed the misguided response.
The district statement said the victim and this paper "over-exaggerated" the importance of the defense because it was one of nine raised. That misses the point: The district might have legitimate defenses against civil liability for the actions of its teacher and administrators. But blaming the child is not one.
As Stephen Sugarman, a UC Berkeley law professor who teaches tort law, told reporter Matthias Gafni, "If the district sticks to this sort of hardball tactic it could well backfire and increase both the likelihood of the defendants being found liable and the amount of damages awarded against them."
This brings into question trustees' judgment. On the eve of the school board election, it leaves us deeply concerned about 14-year Trustee Dexter Louie, the only incumbent in a three-way race for two seats.
We're told by the superintendent that Louie did not attend the board's Friday closed session for personal reasons. We don't know more, or what role he has played in approving this legal defense, because he has not responded to our calls and emails.
We do know he has been part of, and is currently president of, an insular board for a district that kept a principal on the job after learning he had failed to report sexual abuse, and that dragged its feet on releasing records about the case.
Ultimately, it's Louie's refusal to discuss the issue and others with us that leaves us unwilling to consider endorsing him.
Fortunately there are two strong candidates. Shari Simon, former president of the Moraga Education Foundation and the parent of two children currently in district schools, brings extensive budget experience from her years as an Oracle senior vice president. Parker Colvin, who has three young children, would add school finance expertise from his job as the head of municipal underwriting for one of the bond industry's leading firms.
We're impressed by both and think they would bring much-needed fresh perspective.


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The fresh-pressed juice and smoothie cocktails at the recently opened Cocktail Bodega are meals in and of themselves, but its eclectic menu of international street eats is also worth a look. Designed by Roblé Ali of Bravo fame, the short menu is a whimsical melting pot of flavors from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Asia, all served up cafeteria-style in checkered paper and red baskets.
Fun dishes include the Cuban Sandwich Quesadilla ($9), the always reliable pairing of ham, pork, cheese, mustard, and pickles pressed together in a flour tortilla instead of the usual Cuban bread. The result is much less greasy than the typical Cubano sandwich, and just as tasty.
Bodega Wings ($7), typically an afterthought on most bar menus, are excellent here. Plump and juicy with plenty of meat, the wings have a spicy flavor with a hot, crunchy coating. The dish comes with a side of blue cheese sauce, but the wings are better on their own.
Curried Coconut Shrimp ($11) also had a lovely sweet and spicy flavor, but with only four shrimp to an order, the dish felt much skimpier than the other menu options. Caribbean flavors are quite popular here—the kitchen also offers Jamaican Beef Patties ($9) and Jerked Chicken Satays ($7), which look far more filling.
Spare Ribs ($2 each) came recommended by the bartenders, but the version that we tried was tough and chewy. It was the only dish not completely devoured.
Instead, finish out the meal with a side Waffle Fries ($5, pictured below), which are exactly as pictured: warm, crisp, and perfectly filling.
Cocktail Bodega
205 Chrystie Street, New York, NY 10002 (map)
About the author: Nancy Huang, who comes to New York by way of Los Angeles, writes The Wanderist, a food and travel blog of adventures here and abroad. She loves noodles, subway maps, and word games.


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As the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association presents a new look for outsiders, there also may be a hope to bring insiders closer together.
The East Grand Forks, Minn.-based association, which represents 250 growers in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota, recently introduced a revamped logo, which is designed to be more instructive to consumers who aren't familiar with a potato region that ships about 4 million bags of spuds in an average year.
"What it means to me is the association is trying to draw a new face, trying to reunite the Red River Valley as a whole," said Paul Dolan, general manager of Grand Forks, N.D.-based Associated Potato Growers Inc.
The logo sends a strong message that Red River Valley spuds are a natural product, Dolan said.
"It's trying to show the naturally grown product in the valley with nonirrigated potatoes," he said.
The new image is a vast improvement over the old, Dolan said.
"When I look at that picture, it shows me more look of agriculture and nature in a more natural way than the old logo did," he said.
A new look may bring more attention to valley potatoes, said Randy Boushey, president and chief executive officer of East Grand Forks-based A&L Potato Co.
"I think they're trying to get a little bit more brand recognition out of that logo, and I think their intentions are that multiple shippers can have the same label, and we can get more of a uniformity coming out of the valley," he said.
A single, unifying brand isn't necessarily a good thing, Boushey said.
"For us to pack in a label that's the same logo as my neighbor up the street and the same as my neighbor down the street, you lose a little bit of your own identity in that process," he said.
The umbrella brand likely works only in a "perfect-world" situation," Boushey said.
"Being in the imperfect world in which we live, sometimes our own vanities will be in the way of our way of our betterment," he said.
Some association members have talked about marketing under the association logo, said Steve Tweten, president and chief executive officer of Buxton, N.D.-based NoKota Packers.
"I know there has been talk to turn it into a Red River Valley brand," Tweten said.
The logo is available for all members to use, even secondarily, said Dave Moquist, a partner in and sales manager of O.C. Schulz & Sons Inc. in Crystal, N.D.
"They've developed 5-pound bags that this brand can be used on, and it can either be a tag on a Kwik Lok, or it can be the bag itself," Moquist said.
If, for example, a retail customer wants the logo on its private-label bags, that can be done, Moquist said.
Even if shippers equally use the brand, it still presents a unified face to the buying world, said Keith Groven, a salesman for Grand Forks, N.D.-based Black Gold Farms.
"The biggest thing we want to represent is the best quality red potatoes come out of the Red River Valley," he said.
There's an edifying aspect to the logo, as well, Groven said.
"There are some things that make our potatoes unique, and in the past it has been difficult for people to identify with our growing region, and there hasn't been a unified effort to promote where the product was coming from," he said.
The new look's use of "a little more color" will attract attention, said Cory Seim, a salesman for Hoople, N.D.-based Northern Valley Growers.
The potatoes will do the rest, he said.
"People remember Red River Valley potatoes have a taste that I don't think anybody else can compete with. They'll remember the product," he said.


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DG made a pass to Ian Mahinmi that had good, deep post position but Ian passed it to Scola who pump faked and drove for the lay-up.
DG made several very nice passes (granted, he also had some bad ones) but not all of them were counted as assists. Still, he helped the second unit's ball movement a lot.


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As the book deadline looms, I am finishing off the remaining ingredients… here is the one about peak oil resolutions….
The Challenge
Local and regional authorities aren't planning strategically for peak oil, and it is not a concern reflected in their policy making. They may not even understand it. Without a clear statement of concern about the issue, any further steps or actions on the issue will not have a foundation.
Core Text
Getting your local Council to officially recognise peak oil as a challenge can be a key step in its moving towards resilience, and to its engagement with the Transition process. This is an approach much more established in the US, where the first peak oil resolutions began to emerge in 2006[1]. US towns and cities that have passed peak oil resolutions include Berkeley, Chapel Hill, Cleveland, Bloomington and Nevada City. For some, this has been followed by the setting up of a Peak Oil Task Force, and the creation of some kind of Peak Oil Plan. Of these, my favourites are those for San Buenaventura in California[2], and Portland, Oregon[3]. From the US experience, one can observe that peak oil resolutions provide a very dynamic first step in the active engagement of a local authority.
Post Carbon Institute's Daniel Lerch identifies two goals that a peak oil resolution can achieve. Firstly raising awareness, both among the Council staff and the wider public, and secondly 'getting the ball rolling', in that it gives legitimacy to the issue, sends an important signal of support to those already working with it, enabling them to work on it more confidently[4].
The first (and to the best of my knowledge, the only so far) UK Council to pass a peak oil resolution was Nottingham City Council. Cllr. Katrina Bull, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, had met with people from the emergent Transition Nottingham and had discussed peak oil with Graham Chapman, the Council's Deputy Leader, who then asked for a paper on its implications for the Council. Cllr. Bull asked Transition Nottingham what might help with their work, and the idea of a peak oil resolution was born. Peak oil was something that no-one else in the Council was familiar with at that stage, so she had do quite a lot of explaining to her fellow Councillors!
The text of the resolution was written by Cllr. Bull and was seconded by Cllr Chapman. It was put forward at a full Council meeting in December 2008, and preceded by a screening of a part of the film 'A Crude Awakening'. This led to a good discussion about the implications of peak oil for the city, and its current levels of oil dependency. The resolution, which went on to be passed unanimously, read as follows:
"This Council acknowledges the forthcoming impact of peak oil. The Council therefore needs to respond, and help the citizens it serves respond, to the likelihood of shrinking oil supply but in a way which will nevertheless maintains the City's prosperity. It acknowledges that actions taken to adapt to and mitigate against climate change also help us adapt issues around peak oil. It will do this by:
- developing an understanding of the impact of peak oil on the local economy and the local community
- encouraging a move across the city towards sustainable transport, cycling and walking throughout the city
- pursuing a rigorous energy efficiency and conservation programme through its carbon management plan, the work towards EMAS accreditation and on leading on raising energy awareness across all sectors to reduce dependency on oil based energy in the city
- supporting research and production within the city which helps develop local effective alternative energy supplies and energy saving products in order to encourage a move away from oil based fuels and also in order to create local 'green collar jobs'
- co-ordinating policy and action on reducing our city's carbon dependency and in response to the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change and peak oil.
In this way Nottingham City Council will not only be helping the city to rise to the challenge of peak oil but also encourage the city to grasp the opportunities which peak oil offers".
I talked to Cllr Bull about the impact the resolution has had since it was unanimously passed. She described it has having been 'crucial' in the Council's work around energy efficiency and in boosting awareness of energy issues in general. She said that she had talked about climate change in the Council for ages, but had struggled to really engage her fellow Councillors. However, peak oil, and the issues around increasing price volatility helped hugely. "Everyone is convinced", she told me.
One of the key outcomes of this has been the Council's Energy Strategy, which is built around the challenge of energy security as well as climate change. The Council's waste strategy now has anaerobic digestion at its heart, and its Transport strategy focuses on a big increase in public transport and a new fleet of electric buses. "None of this would have been possible", she told me, "had it not been for the peak oil resolution".
Bristol City Council doesn't have a peak oil resolution, however in February 2010 the Council adopted the Bristol Climate Change and Energy Security Framework, which resolves that:
That the Cabinet resolve that:
• improving the energy efficiency of the city and securing affordable low carbon energy supplies are key priorities for the city council
• the Peak Oil Report be welcomed, endorsed and used to inform the development of council services, strategies and plans.
That the Cabinet adopt for consultation the draft Climate Change and Energy Security Framework for Bristol set out in this paper, including:
• A commitment to partnership working to achieve the opportunities presented by a transition to a low carbon, resilient city.
• Carbon dioxide emission, energy and resilience targets for Bristol's road transport, business/public sector and homes with clear accountabilities and monitoring.
• 20 strategic activities to progress towards those targets
• 40 specific actions for 2010/11
• Integration of climate change and energy issues into the work and processes of the council to enable delivery of the targets, including the creation of a high level group integrating economic development, digital infrastructure and services and green capital activity.
That the Cabinet agree to consult on the draft Framework and to further develop and refine the Framework with partners in the city and with the Department of Communities and Local Government.
Bristol City Council has also made great strides in this area. In 2008 Daniel Lerch gave a presentation to Bristol City Council about peak oil and local authorities, following an invitation by the Green Capital Momentum Group (GCMG) group, a cross-sector body set up to try and steer the city towards being a 'green' city. Transition Bristol had already done significant work in raising the profile of peak oil at the GCMG, the Council and across the City. Following Daniel's talk, a Peak Oil Task Force was set up, with representatives from the Council, GCMG, Transition Bristol and others, and it was decided that the best first step would be to commission a peak oil report, which they did. The report, 'Building a positive future for Bristol after peak oil' was written by Simone Osborn of Transition Bristol, and was accepted by the Council, the Bristol Partnership and the GCMG group. Its main recommendations can be seen in the box below.
Six Options for Action: from the Bristol City Council Peak Oil Report
Publicly acknowledge peak oil as a threat. Pass a resolution to take actions now to lessen the impacts which peak oil would cause
Set up a cross sector team, with a budget, to take the work forward. This could be owned by the Bristol Partnership with oversight on team selection and monitoring of progress by the Green Capital Momentum Group
Engaged Communities
Emphasise the role which communities have to play in Bristol's future. Support community engagement activities and provide education and assistance on building resilience and reducing reliance on public services
Focus on Accessibility
Drive actions and policies which reduce the need to travel for essential services and needs. Support cycling and walking and development of a sustainable and effective public transport system
Food Security
Drive actions and policies which improve food security by supporting local food growing and production. Develop sustainable agricultural practices.
A Robust Economy
Support and develop a local business environment which can thrive in a low carbon, low waste economy. Ensure that jobs and opportunities are available across the city to avoid creating conditions for social breakdown.
I asked Simone what impact the report has had since its publication. The Council's climate change and energy security policy was greatly helped by the inclusion of peak oil in the policy. The GCMG will shortly be releasing a report called 'Who feeds Bristol?', which has its roots in the recommendations of the peak oil report, the issues it raised about the implications for food security being one of its findings that created the most ripples. Both the GCMG and Bristol City Council are also actively involved in New Economics Foundation/Transition Network's Bristol currency project and it is also adding weight to the Council's transport and health policy-making.
One interesting observation she made revolved around the tension between national and local policymaking. In creating its Local Plan, Bristol City Council declined to include reference to peak oil, despite the existence of the Bristol peak oil report and despite direct requests from key partners to include peak oil issues within the Core Strategy of the Bristol Development Framework. The justification for omitting peak oil was because there was no national policy that required or justified its inclusion. The UK government's official position is still, at the time of going to press, that
"…with sufficient investment, the Government does not believe that global oil production will peak between now and 2020 and consequently we do not have any contingency plans specific to a peak in oil production"[5]
It is clear however that peak oil resolutions and the creation of peak oil taskforces can have a galvanising effect on a local authority and lobbying for one can be a very useful initiative for a Transition initiative to undertake.
The Solution
Lobby your local council to pass a peak oil resolution. Numerous examples now exist, and they can be a great boost to those within the Council working to build awareness. Explore with them the possibility of a Transition Training for Local Authorities being run for key staff. Once the resolution is passed, heap great praise on the authority, and explore with them ways in which your Transition initiative can help with the next steps, a good example of which is Bristol City Council's 'Peak Oil Plan'.
[1] There is an excellent archive of peak oil resolutions and peak oil preparedness plans here.
[2] Chen, Y, Deines, M, Fleischmann, H, Reed, S, Swick. I. (2008) Transforming Urban Environments for a Post-Peak Oil Future: A Vision Plan for the City of San Buenaventura. City of San Buenaventura.
[3] Portland Peak Oil Task Force (2007) Descending the Oil Peak: navigating the transition from oil and natural gas. Report of the City of Portland Peak Oil Task Force. March 2007
[4] Lerch, D. (2007) Post Carbon Cities: planning for energy and climate uncertainty, a guidebook on peak oil and global warming for local governments. Post Carbon Institute.
[5] In response to a question from George Monbiot, as described in Monbiot, G. (2009) Cross your fingers and carry on: why does the government refuse to make contingency plans for peak oil? 14th April 2009.


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Ivanhoe® Bomber Porcelain Pendant Light
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Ivanhoe® Bomber Porcelain Pendant Light (bomber-collection-spec-sheet001.pdf, 149 Kb) [Download]
Finish Chart / Features
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A classic RLM-inspired warehouse shade with loads of curvaceous style, the Ivanhoe® Bomber is a beautiful choice for dining rooms, kitchens, or entryways. By selecting an exterior rated cord, you can also use this beautiful barn ceiling pendant in a damp location such as a covered porch or sun room.
American made and hand spun by our own craftsmen from commercial grade steel, the Bomber is finished with a durable and long-lasting porcelain enamel glass coating. Add a cast guard and glass, in your choice of finish colors, to give this industrial pendant a definite vintage vibe! Read More>
This product was featured on TLC's Bakery Boss! Read more>
Shade Sizes:
|11" Shade: W 11" x H 6"
|13" Shade: W 13" x H 6"
|15" Shade: W 15" x H 7"
|17" Shade: W 17" x H 8 ¼"
Additional Information:
- Finish: Multiple (See Finish Options)
- Mounting: 8' of Standard Cord | 6' of Cotton Cord (See Cord Options)
- Ceiling Canopy Dimensions: 5" Diameter
- Max Wattage Per Socket:
- 200W Standard Incandescent | 100W with Cast Guard Addition
- 23W GU24 Bi-Pin CFL (equivalent to 100W Standard Inc.) | 18W with Cast Guard Addition (equivalent to 75W Standard Inc.)
- Please Note: Fixtures configured with GU24 socket are non-returnable.
- Bulb Not Included
- Number of Sockets: 1
- Use: Multiple (See Cord Options)
- Manufactured in the U.S.A. This light fixture is made-to-order to suit your custom specifications. Learn more about the process here.
- Both the cast guard & glass and the wire guard & glass are NOT available with the 11" shade.
- Due to the hand spun and hand applied porcelain enamel process, slight blemishes and character are common.
- Cast guard & glass not available with cotton twist cord mounting.
Please Note: No metal fixture, no matter the finish, is guaranteed against corrosion especially in salt air environments. If your fixtures will be installed in a location near salt water or with extreme weather conditions, we recommend routine and careful maintenance of your lighting including a mild soap-and-water wash and gentle buffing to help maintain the finish.


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This is really more of an idea than an actual recipe, but if you're looking for an easy salad idea you'll make over and over, you have to try my friend Mary's Perfect Salad Dressing for Spring Mix Greens.
Anyone who shops at Costco and likes salad has probably purchased their spring lettuce mix, a heaping tub of baby greens. My absolute favorite way to eat it is with Mary's Perfect Salad Dressing.
This simple method of dressing the salad from my friend Mary, and what's essential is the combination of lime with just the barest hint of red wine vinegar, combined with absolutely top quality olive oil. This is something I never get tired of eating.
This is a recipe that was originally posted so long ago the photo is from my old camera, before I got a digital SLR, but don't let that stop you from trying this perfect salad. This is something I eat so often, and enjoy so much that I decided it was time for it to officially be added to Recipe Favorites.
(Mary's Perfect Salad Dressing was updated November 2007)
Mary's Perfect Salad Dressing for Spring Mix Salad Greens
(one serving)
--Best quality olive oil, enough to cover greens (I'd say about 1 T. for a large serving of salad. Be sure the olive oil says *Extra Virgin* and *First Cold Pressed* on the label if you want the best flavor.)
--Juice of 1/2 lime (you can use lemon, but the lime is really great)
--About 4 drops of red wine vinegar
--salt and pepper to taste


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Kelty and Kim were the only two players from the Central Coast Section so honored, while four others were from the East Bay and the final two from the Davis/Sacramento area.
Both Kelty and Kim helped their teams to successful seasons in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League and West Bay Athletic League, respectively.
The Vikings finished 18-4 overall, falling to St. Francis in triple overtime (16-15) in the SCVAL playoff finals. The Knights finished 12-8, losing to Sacred Heart Prep in the league playoff finals after the local rivals had tied for the regular-season crown.


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Let Tottenham Independent find you a new Management - Executive position. With our in-depth knowledge of the local jobs market combined plus our close working relationships with clients from all sectors we can offer you a wide range of Management - Executive positions throughout the Tottenham areas.
Management - Executive positions are more about your experience and level of qualifications than working in a particular industry sector. Management - Executive positions refer to the roles at the top of a company within the public or private sector who are responsible for the management of the company, it's staff and it's profitability. With such a diversity of choice of Management - Executive positions, experience and requirements vary, so make sure you read the job description thoroughly and that your CV is up-to-date and an accurate description of your experience and achievements. For help, see our CV builder or review service?
We also provide a free CV matching service where you can upload your CV and the employers come to you should they have a suitable Management - Executive position.
Jobseekers interested in a Management - Executive position should also investigate opportunities in the engineering, project management sectors as well as the management and management consultancy sectors.
Now hiring


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This column on issues confronting renters and landlords is written by certified property manager Robert Griswold, author of "Property Management for Dummies," and by attorney Steven R. Kellman, founder of the Tenants Legal Center.
Question: I have a tenant who recently signed a two-year lease for my rental home. They just contacted me, indicating that they have been approached by their employer about transferring to another city for a promotion with the company. They wanted me to voluntarily let them out of their lease but I declined as the rental market here is not that strong and it took me three months to rent the house.
I don't want to be difficult, but I hate to lose a good tenant when I spent so much money upgrading the rental unit and marketing the property. They have now come back to me with the proposal that the employer will pay me a "reasonable" amount to break the lease. I don't have any idea on what is an appropriate charge. Am I limited to a certain amount? What if I ask for three months rent and end up renting the house in two months?
Griswold: Your tenant is approaching you about breaking the lease, so you have the option of simply declining and holding them to the lease. Of course, in most states, if the tenant does vacate your rental home, you are obligated to re-rent the property and can't just let it sit empty and expect them to pay the rent for the balance of remaining months on your two-year lease. On the other hand, you could agree to unilaterally release your tenant from any further obligation under the lease for nothing.
I would recommend a middle ground response that is calculated based on a conservative estimate of the most likely costs you will incur in re-leasing the property. That includes the cost of cleaning and preparing the home to be rented, the advertising and the length of time you will not collect rent. Based on the soft rental market, you may want to propose a lease-cancellation fee that includes your out-of-pocket expenses plus four or five months of rent. The factor you want to keep in mind is how long will it take you to re-lease the unit and would it be at least at the rent level you were to receive under the lease if the tenant wasn't leaving.
If it is likely that you will not be able to get the same rental rate as the current tenant is paying or if you will have to offer some concessions (like free rent,) then you should include that as well. So while you could play hard ball and demand the full remaining balance of all the lease payments to the end of the lease, the reality is that you and your tenant's employer will probably reach a compromise. Once the amount has been mutually agreed upon, be sure to prepare a basic written agreement that indicates it is a full and final settlement and that you will not seek any further payments. The agreement should also indicate you will not pay back any funds even if you are able to re-lease the property in less than the agreed time.
Have a question for Rental Roundtable? Send it to email@example.com
Reach reporter Lily Leung at email@example.com or 619-293-1719. Or follow her on Twitter @LilyShumLeung. To subscribe to this blog, click here.


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On View
Romanesque portal
Unknown artist, French
Romanesque portal, ca. 1150
386.1 x 422.9 cm (152 x 166 1/2 inches)
Museum Appropriation Fund 40.014
This massive portal served as an entrance to a church in the Loire Valley in western France. Typically Romanesque in its rounded, heavy appearance, it is composed of three set-back arches resting on two broad and four slender, engaged columns. A narrower outer arch is decorated with a saw-tooth design that is repeated along the continuous cornice above the capitals. Although the sculptural decoration of Romanesque churches frequently served an instructive purpose, the capitals on this portal are predominantly secular in design, consisting of combinations of palm fronds, stars, ribbons, flowers, and small mask-like faces. One notable exception is the inclusion of two standing birds that drink from a single vessel on the inner capital at left. Long familiar in Christian art, this group served as an allegory of baptism and resurrection and also symbolized Christ's presence in the consecrated wine of the Mass.


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Human Services
BSRB Licensing Application and Exam for LAC
Preparation of addiction professionals is becoming more important in response to the advances in research. Our curriculum is designed to prepare counselors, as well as related professionals such as social workers, criminal justice personnel, psychologists, and nurses, for effective practice based on TAP 21 competencies defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the federal government. Students examine the theoretical foundations and research about substance abuse and learn clinical evaluation, treatment planning, referral processes, service coordination, counseling, educational methods, documentation and professional/ ethical responsibilities.
All classes are available in a Web-based, online format. Internships are arranged in the student's local community. Contact the Human Services Department for more information at email@example.com
Certificate of Completion in Addiction Counseling Audit Sheet
Kansas Behavioral Science Regulatory Board (BSRB)
National Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
TAP 21 competencies
Washburn University
Human Services Department
Benton Hall Room 311
1700 SW College Ave
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone: 785.670.2116
Fax: 785.670.1027
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Friends, I am developing a layout and I want that when the user scrolls the page a div (represented in black in the picture) walk along with the page, gaining more distance from the top. How to do it?
It's not too clear from the picture what you are requiring with the black section. Are you wanting it to be fixed on the screen as the page scrolls, or something else?
The site will only have one page and a menu with anchors (#). I want that when the page scroll, the div with the menu down, becoming more distant (top, margin-top...). Understand?
How far distant? When the page is really long, will it become so distant as to fall off the bottom of the page? Should the amount that is becomes distant be in relation to the overall length, so that the furthest distance is near the bottom of the screen? What if more content is added to the page, such as when an accordion section is revealed. Should the distance then adjust to the new page length? Will the menu section move smoothly from top to bottom as the page is scrolled, or will each section of the page have the div as a different set location on the page.
Please provide further details.
The div (black) must be displayed on the screen forever, until the end of the last section tag, as in the picture.
The first section (about), for example, the div will be at a distance from the top 100px. In the second (services), 130px.
All I need is this, for the rest I've done, see:
jQuery(document).ready(function() {
var nav_container = jQuery("#menu");
var nav = jQuery("#nav");
var top_spacing = 0;
var waypoint_offset = 0;
handler: function(direction) {
if (direction == 'down') {
nav_container.css({ 'height':nav.outerHeight() });
}else {
nav_container.css({ 'height':'auto' });
offset: function() {
return -nav.outerHeight()-waypoint_offset;
headerWrapper = parseInt(jQuery('#nav').height());
offsetTolerance = 40;
jQuery(window).scroll(function() {
scrollPosition = parseInt(jQuery(this).scrollTop());
jQuery('nav a').each(function() {
thisHref = jQuery(this).attr('href');
thisTruePosition = parseInt(jQuery(thisHref).offset().top);
thisPosition = thisTruePosition - headerWrapper - offsetTolerance;
if(scrollPosition >= thisPosition) {
jQuery('nav a[href='+ thisHref +']').addClass('selected');
if(scrollPosition <= 0) {
bottomPage = parseInt(jQuery(document).height()) - parseInt(jQuery(window).height());
if(scrollPosition == bottomPage || scrollPosition >= bottomPage) {
jQuery('nav a:last').addClass('selected');
jQuery("#nav a").click(function() {
var divV = jQuery(this).attr("href");
scrollTop: jQuery(divV).offset().top -176
}, 1000);
return false;
So are you wanting the second div to remain at the same fixed height from the top of the computer screen?
Yes, when the user scrolls the page, both the menu as the black div will be fixed. The difference is that the split had been with the margin-top increased.
Okay, good. The most effective way that I've seen to do that is by using CSS to set the position of the div to be fixed.See for example: http://davidwalsh.name/css-fixed-position
They use 2% in that example, but you can use any pixel values that you like too, such as 130px
Yes, this I do know, what I want is that the margin-top INCREASE while the page is being scrolled.
Good - that is the sort of information that I'm trying to drag out of you.
What sort of increase are you wanting? One that increases in steps according to the section of the page, or one that increases gradually as the page is scrolled.If the latter, then what is the final position that you are wanting for it?
The second option. We assume that the page has five sections. In section 1, the margin-top would be 100px; in 2, 130px, at 3 160px.
Do you understand now?
Thank you for explaining that. One way do do that would be to regularly check the scroll position of the sections. The one that has the smallest positive value is the current section showing on the screen, and you would use the offset() method to set the menu to the appropriate position.
Can you show me how to do? I'm trying this for almost two days and still can not.
Something like the following seems to be close to what you're after.http://jsfiddle.net/pmw57/2m6Ry/1/
It worked perfectly. You can do the margin-top of div increase smoothly, slowly?
Reduce a bit your code:
$(document).scroll(function() {
var cutoff = $(window).scrollTop();
var black = jQuery('#black');
if($(this).offset().top + $(this).height() > cutoff){
black.css('top', 100 + 100 * i);
return false;


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Summer Festival of Sacred Music at St. Bart's Presents Taverner's WESTERN WYNDE Mass, 8/12
The Summer Festival of Sacred Music at St. Bart's continues on Sunday, August 12 at 11 am with a service featuring Taverner's Western Wynde Mass.
John Taverner (c. 1490-1545) is regarded as the most important English composer of the early Renaissance. He was appointed as the first Organist and Master of the Choristers for Christ Church in Oxford in 1526, the choral foundation of which exists to this very day. His Western Wynde Mass, based on a sixteenth century popular song, is unique in this period because the theme appears in all of the voice parts at different times, as opposed to a cantus firmus mass, where the theme appears in only one voice part. Taverner's motet Quemadmodum in six voices will also be heard.
This event is the second in a series of four Summer Festival services in August featuring the music of the greatest masters of the Renaissance including by Josquin, Taverner, Lassus and Palestrina.
St. Bartholomew's Choir will be conducted by William K. Trafka.
The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place each Sunday morning at 11 am at St. Bartholomew's Church during the summer months. At a time when most churches reduce their musical offerings, St. Bartholomew's Church provides outstanding sacred music sung by St. Bartholomew's Choir and Boy and Girl Choristers, two of New York City's most renowned choirs. Works include an array of mass settings from the 15th century to the present embracing a diversity of cultures from around the world. The music is sung as part of the 11 am service, the liturgical context for which it was composed. All Summer Festival events are free and open to the public.
The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place at St. Bart's, located at the corner of Park Avenue and 51st Street. Subway: 6 to 51st Street. For more information, call (212) 378-0222 or visit the website for the complete schedule.


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In Theaters June 14th...
A new trailer has been released for Zack Snyder's upcoming Superman reboot, Man of Steel. Check it out above.
In theaters June 14th.
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Rita—thank you for that kind introduction;
My name is Shinseki. I am a Veteran, and I am most honored to be serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. It's a calling that offers me an opportunity to give back to those, who have served with and for me in uniform, and the heroes of World War II and Korea, on whose shoulders we all stood as we grew up in the profession.
It's been a month since I was sworn in, and the transition has been fast-paced, stimulating, and spirited. It's good to be here with the DAV. Some of us share some things in common—we have served in combat, we have experienced the stings of battle, and we are the lucky ones. We now share the mission of getting things right for all Veterans because there is legitimacy to our voices that's different from everyone else's. Through our partnership we have a unique opportunity to answer President Lincoln's call to action, ". . . to care for him, who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan." Sadly, it's a duty that we have sometimes failed to meet, but we have the opportunity to answer Lincoln's call during our watch.
Your counsel will be important, so I welcome your advice on how to reinforce the time honored covenant between America and her Veterans. The accomplishments of DAV are legend:
Captain Robert Marx's tireless advocacy for World War I Veterans, 89 years ago, laid the foundation for an organization that is known, today, for its advocacy for all Veterans. Though your focus remains on the disabled, you have embraced the broader mission of well-being for all Veterans. With your help and support, and leaders like Ray Dempsey, Art Wilson, and Dave Gorman, the VA will establish the right priorities and execute them. I'm counting on them to provide me their views and constructive criticisms, so I have a chance to address them. They can always take them to others, if I can't or won't deal with them.
In March, I'll be attending "The Miracle on the Mountain" in Aspen, Colorado. I'm looking forward to celebrating the triumph of human spirit over physical adversity and the fear of failure. Your volunteers transform Aspen into one of the premier sports clinics in the country. They give so many young Veterans a glimpse of what's possible, if they would only keep hope alive. I know of few greater gifts one can bestow on others.
Those of us who know what it's like to sustain life-altering injuries, know what it takes to rebuild one's life afterwards. To be sure, our lives have been changed—but we have not. Our dreams and our hopes are real. We transform ourselves to meet our new conditions, and in the process, we evolve our thinking to accommodate our capabilities—but, we never quit. In the words I used to recite from the Soldier's Creed:
I will always place the mission first;
I will never accept defeat;
I will never quit;
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
More than most, we have insights into what it takes to change, evolve, and transform when times are toughest.
President Obama has a vision for change at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and I am fully committed to helping him achieve it. That vision requires transforming VA into an agile, adaptive organization that is capable of leading change, not waiting to be dragged into it. We will review the fundamentals in every line of operation we manage. To begin, I've asked for a review of every large meeting and conference we sponsor to insure that we are focusing on training to better serve Veterans, rather than merely gathering socially. I am your advocate, and I intend to represent you forcefully.
I appreciate your support of the good people at the VA. A large percentage of them are Veterans themselves. We have over 280,000 employees—they work in 153 medical centers, 755 outpatient clinics, 230 VetCenters, 128 National Cemeteries, 57 Regional Offices, and the Central Office in Washington, D.C. To a person, they are committed to our mission and devoted to our clients. I am proud of them all.
But, as dedicated and loyal as they are, we face significant challenges in the months and years ahead:
This is clearly a time of great challenge, but it is also a time of great opportunity—maybe even greater opportunity. It provides us an interval to re-set the VA's key vectors for the 21st Century, and we are going to leverage it. Teamwork, initiative, innovation, and the highest levels of integrity, transparency, and performance are what's needed to transform the department. I intend to seek best performances out of the VA during this transformation.
There was a time when I used to remind folks to "take care of our people—they will take care of the mission." It will be our people who will generate change, keep us relevant, and exceed our expectations—not technology or processes. So transformation is, ultimately, a leadership issue. I am proud of our people, and I intend to lead them through transformation.
Where we lead, we will continue to do so; where we do not, we will regain a positive preeminence. From delivering cutting-edge medical care to answering a simple benefits inquiry, we will grow and retain a skilled, motivated, and client-oriented workforce. Training and continuous learning, communications and team-building—these will be the attributes of a culture of achievement.
At the end of each day, our true measure of success will be the timeliness, the quality, and the consistency of the services and support we provide. We will be measured by our accomplishments, not our promises. Veterans, Congress, and the American people expect that, and I do, as well.
Finally, we will continually challenge ourselves to find ways of working smarter and more efficiently. We will aggressively leverage the world's best practices, its knowledge base, and emerging technologies to increase our capabilities in areas such as healthcare, information management, and service delivery.
To begin addressing these issues, I am developing a credible and adequate 2010 budget request. The long-term priority will always be to transform the VA into a 21st Century organization, but we must begin from where we are and build momentum quickly.
In closing, we serve some very special people. Out of my generation came a very special, young Midwesterner. Tall, lean, and ramrod straight, he looked every bit the Soldier that he was. As a young Captain in 1966, he took command of a company in An Khe, Vietnam. Weary and disillusioned, the men of the unit were cautious about their new, energetic commander. He quickly restored their morale, reinforced their confidence, and instilled pride in them. In short, he led them, inspired them, and earned their respect.
Scheduled to relinquish command in late 1966, the captain requested to stay with his company an extra month. On 27 January of 1967, his men planned a surprise party for his 27th birthday. But the party had to be cancelled—orders came for his company to lead an air assault on a North Vietnamese regimental headquarters. As his helicopter touched down on that mission, machinegun fire raked his aircraft. Bullets shattered both his left ankle and right leg. Another round struck him in the head—a devastating wound.
Months of surgery and years of recovery and rehabilitation, beginning in military hospitals and continuing in VA facilities, followed. Blind in one eye and partially blind in the other, he carried a noticeable depression on his head and was racked with terrible headaches. His leg wounds were horribly painful, and he had only partial use of one arm—confining him to a wheelchair most of the time.
With the care and love of a strong family, coupled with his indomitable spirit, this young man persevered. Re-introduced to a high school sweetheart, they married in 1972. They bought a small home and built a life together.
What was most remarkable about this young man was his refusal to see himself as unfortunate. He prayed at each meal, thanking God for sending him his wife and for making it possible to live at home in a free country. Once, when his wife mentioned his understating his sacrifices, he reminded her that, "I had friends who didn't come back . . . I'm enjoying the freedoms they died for." Of the indescribable pain he endured constantly, he said to his sister, when speaking of a wounded comrade, "I should never complain about the pain in my leg because . . . [he] doesn't have [one]."
Many of us have unknowingly encountered his photograph. Prior to going to Vietnam, Captain Sam Bird was assigned to the Old Guard at Fort Myer. On 25 November, 1963, he was the officer in charge of the casket detail at the funeral of President John F. Kennedy. Historian William Manchester described him that day as " a lean, sinewy Kansan, the kind of American youth whom Congressmen dutifully praise each Fourth of July, and whose existence many, grown jaded by years on the Hill, secretly doubt."
Well, you and I know that such people do exist—we have the honor of serving them every day. Though Sam Bird passed away in 1984, other disabled American Veterans show the same courage, determination, and confidence to re-build their lives, maintain a sense of humor through unspeakable pain, and demonstrate compassion for others. They deserve the help we would have shown Sam Bird.
You have my respect and admiration for all that you do. I am proud to be a member of the DAV. I look forward to working with you. God bless our Veterans, and God bless America. Thank you.