March 2008

February Employee-of-the-Month:  Phyllis Lokey, assistant accounting clerk with the workforce development division, has been with ASCOG 25 years.  Phyllis is a very dependable employee who works hard and is always the first to volunteer to help her fellow employees.

New ASCOG Trustees:  Max Gallaway is the new Stephens County conservation director replacing the former Jack Ketchum.  Loyd Kimbro represents Jefferson County commissioners, replacing Kenny Wall who resigned to accept another job.  Marion “Bo” Cail, mayor of Byars is the new mayoral rep for McClain County replacing Glen Berglan who resigned as mayor of Goldsby.

CED:  CDBG-REAP (50-50) grant applications have been submitted for the towns of Cornish (road repair/resurfacing), Hollister (sewer line rehabilitation/repair), Bradley (town park) and Pocasset (emergency warning system).  Several CDBG Water/Wastewater Engineering and Water/Wastewater Construction and Community Revitalization applications are also being prepared for the April 11 deadline.  Any community wanting to submit an application should contact CED personnel as soon as possible.

Public Safety: Applications for the AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) are being returned at an alarming rate. The need for this life saving device in the ASCOG area is great. The application deadline is March 14, 2008. Forestry is in the process of acquiring trucks and equipment at this time. Hopefully there will be a few 5-tons to be given out by the end of the month. The communities of Cogar and Cove Acres have completed their new 08 Ford Cab and Chassis and are now in service. Fund raisers are now being held for your volunteer departments and they need your continued support. Please pass the word.

ASCOG Website Renovation:  ASCOG’s website www.ascog.org has been updated to reflect a new format and additional information that may be useful to ASCOG members. 

Need a Speaker?  ASCOG will furnish a speaker for your civic club.  Call Nancy English at ASCOG.

ASCOG Training Day:  ASCOG offices will be closed Friday, April 4 for an employee training day.  The offices will open at 8:00 a.m. Monday, April 7.

Stimulus Package Rebates for Seniors:  Many seniors are not aware that they MUST file a 2007 tax return by April 15^th in order to receive the tax rebate.  Qualifying income includes Social Security or disability benefits, certain veterans’ benefits and earned income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment.  Even if you don’t owe taxes you MUST file a 2007 tax return to receive a rebate check. If you don’t normally file a tax return you will need to file a 1040A or a 1040 to get your check.  If you have already filed a 2007 return, amend your return by filing form 1040X.  For additional information contact your personal tax preparer or visit http://ww.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/1040a.pdf      

Income Tax Help Available:  Help in preparing your taxes is available from the AARP Tax Aide program, which is administered by the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service.  Certified volunteers provide assistance with the preparation of tax forms at locations through out the nation and also provide telephone tax assistance.  Call 1.888.227.7669 or visit: aaa.aaarp/taxaide.

Get Census Information On Line:  To find information about your community, state and county, go to http://factfinder.census.gov.

Alzheimer’s Association SAFE RETURN:  A nationwide identification system has been developed for people with Alzheimer’s disease who have the potential to become lost.  Families and caregivers can enroll a loved one in the program for an enrollment fee of $20 with an annual $20 administrative fee.  The individual receives an identification bracelet with pertinent information to help reunite them with family or caregivers.  The information is put into a secure nationwide database that is in operation 24 hours a day.  To enroll or receive additional information about the Safe Return program call 888.572.8566 or go on line to  www.alz.org/safereturn.

Please Keep ASCOG Updated:  The staff asks that communities, counties, conservation districts, fire departments, chambers of commerce and tribal offices let us know any time there is a change in elected officials, managers or addresses in their entity.  Please call ASCOG with the information.  Your help on an ongoing basis is appreciated.

Become an Ombudsman Volunteer:  The Ombudsman Program serves residents who reside in long-term facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living centers and veterans centers.  The ombudsman volunteer is an advocate for the rights of the residents and tries to help resolve complaints received from the clients who reside within the facility.  For additional information on how to become an ombudsman volunteer call Ruben Sotelo or Tim White.