Category Archives: Public Service Announcement

Why the Need for an Interior Hospital in Delta Junction?

Grown from concern and the need for expanded emergency and overnight/long term medical care in the Interior of Alaska, local concerned citizens gathered together to discuss and explore the possibility of a rural hospital in Delta Junction.

Dr. Norman Petty is a physician working with Family Medical Center. He has worked with rural hospital foundations and Non-Profit Medical Centers. Family Medical has seen their case loads triple in the last 10 years. It was grown from Dr. Petty’s belief that our community encompassing such a large diverse area and industry could sustain and support a small rural Hospital.

In order to explore the need, the Interior Alaska Hospital Foundation was created. This working group of citizens, along with Mary Kaspari and with the help of Bob Brummond, a hospital administrator from the Mid West, has began the process of attaining local community and financial support.

Mr. Brummond has sent out RFP’s (Request for Proposals) for doing the feasibility study. This study would explore the case loads, emergency responses; look at the census and demographics of the area to determine if a rural hospital could be sustainable and viable to our Community. It could benefit the anticipated Senior Housing Project.

Our Community would have 24 hours Emergency Care and beds to monitor overnight and long term patients. It would create jobs and attract medical Doctors and Nurses who could serve in a rural setting and have the ability to have their student loans reduced.

Bob Brummond will be traveling to Delta today to speak at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon.  He will also be visiting local businesses throughout the week. Mark your calendar for Thursday August 25 at 7:00 P.M. as there will be a Community Wide Advisory Meeting in the City Hall’s Council Chambers.

An account has been established for the “Interior Alaska Hospital Foundation” study project at Wells Fargo. Please invest in your Health and Community by sharing your donation today.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary K. Baker-Kaspari, John B. Lewis III, Andrea S. Richard, Troxell Hebert, Jeannie Pinkelman, Dwight and Janize Nissen

Contact: Office of Communications (202) 720-4623

Click here if you are a woman or Hispanic farmer and believe you were improperly denied farm loan benefits by USDA between 1981 and 2000. You may be eligible for compensation.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General West Announce Process to Resolve Discrimination Claims of Hispanic and Women Farmers

Obama Administration’s Efforts Will Bring Finality to Longstanding Claims of Discrimination in USDA Program Delivery

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2011 – As part of continued efforts to close the chapter on allegations that discrimination occurred at USDA in past decades, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West today announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans.

“The Obama Administration has made it a priority to resolve all claims of past discrimination at USDA, and we are committed to closing this sad chapter in USDA’s history,” said Vilsack. “Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege past discrimination can now come forward to participate in a claims process in which they have the opportunity to receive compensation.”

“Under the resolution announced today, USDA and Hispanic and women farmers will be able to move forward and focus on the future,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. “The administrative process being established will give Hispanic and women farmers who believe they suffered discrimination the chance to have their claims heard.”

The claims process offers a streamlined alternative to litigation and provides at least $1.33 billion in compensation, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, to eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers. This announcement follows the Obama Administration’s settlement of longstanding litigation brought by African American farmers and Native American farmers.

The program announced today provides up to $50,000 for each Hispanic or woman farmer who can show that USDA denied them a loan or loan servicing for discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000. Hispanic or female farmers who provide additional proof and meet other requirements can receive a $50,000 reward. Successful claimants are also eligible for funds to pay the taxes on their awards and for forgiveness of certain existing USDA loans. There are no filing fees or other costs to claimants to participate in the program. Participation is voluntary, and individuals who opt not to participate are not precluded by the program from filing a complaint in court.

In conjunction with this announcement, USDA is launching an outreach effort to potential claimants that will include a call center for farmers and ranchers, a website, public service announcements, and in-person meetings around the country. Individuals interested in participating in the claims process may register to receive a claims package, or may obtain more information, by clicking here . Beginning February 25, 2011, individuals can register to receive a claims package by calling the Farmer and Rancher Call Center at 1-888-508-4429. USDA cannot provide legal advice to potential claimants. Persons seeking legal advice may contact a lawyer or other legal services provider.

Under Secretary Vilsack’s leadership, USDA is addressing civil rights complaints that go back decades, and today’s announcement is another major step towards achieving that goal. USDA is committed to resolving allegations of past discrimination and ushering in “a new era of civil rights” for the Department. In February 2010, the Secretary announced the Pigford II settlement with African American farmers, and in October 2010, he announced the Keepseagle settlement with Native American farmers. Meanwhile, Secretary Vilsack continues to advocate for resolution of all remaining claims of past discrimination against USDA.

Audio and video public service announcements in English and Spanish from Secretary Vilsack and downloadable print and web banner ads on the Hispanic and women farmer claims process are available here.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

This Saturday, May 7,  is the distribution date for the USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). If you have already applied for this program, please pick up your delivery at the Red Building next to Buffalo Fuel from 4-6pm. Boxes MUST be picked up the date and time of distribtion. If you are unable to pick up your box due to an emergency please leave a message at 895-3234 or email morona@nwresource.org to make arrangements.

This program is for pregnant women, new moms, children under 6 years old and seniors whose income is below government guidelines. For more information, or to sign up for this program please contact: Meghan Orona at (907) 895-3234 (leave a message), or morona@nwresource.org .

The Alaska Redistricting Board will hold the following public hearings to take public comment on the draft redistricting plans that were adopted on April 13, 2011.  

The draft plans may be viewed at http://www.akredistricting.org. 

All hearings are open to the public. Anyone requiring special accommodation should call the Redistricting Board Office at (907) 269-7402.

The local area communities schedules are:

Cordova, AK Thursday, April 21 
Location:  City of Cordova Public Library
Time:  1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Delta Junction, AK Tuesday, April 26
Location:  Delta Junction City Council Chambers
Time:  10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Tok, AK Tuesday, April 26
Location:  Tok Legislative Information Office
Time:  3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Glennallen, AK Wednesday, April 27
Location:  Glennallen Legislative Information Office
Time:  10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Valdez, AK Wednesday, May 4
Location:  Valdez City Council Chambers 
Time:  2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Statewide testimony Friday, May 6th
2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
Location:  Alaska Legislative Information Office Network

A supplemental notice will be issued listing a toll-free call-in number for those who do not have access to an LIO.