February 2010 AACOG Region Newsletter

Although the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has not yet certified the 2009 ozone monitoring data for the San Antonio area, it appears that the San Antonio region remained in compliance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2008 air quality standards during its three-year review period between 2007 to 2009. Pending certification by the TCEQ, this accomplishment makes San Antonio the largest U.S. city in full compliance with all national air quality standards. While the Alamo Area Council of Governments celebrates this victory with the Alamo Area, it remains acutely aware that the region must not rest on its laurels.

On January 6, 2010, the EPA proposed lowering the threshold for the acceptable amount of ground-level ozone in our air from its 2008 standard of 75 parts per billion (ppb) during an eight-hour period to a level within the range of 60 to 70 ppb. Following a reconsideration of the over 1,700 scientific studies, the recommendation of the independent Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, and the public comments that led to its decision to lower the threshold in 2008, the EPA said it had determined that the 2008 adjustment to the ozone threshold had not gone far enough to protect human health and the environment.

The EPA will accept written public input through March 22, 2010 on exactly where, within the 60 to 70 ppb range, the threshold should be set. It will hold three public hearings on the proposal, one of which will be in Houston on February 2, 2010. The agency expects to announce its final decision regarding the clean air standard threshold in August 2010. It expects that the new standard designations of “attainment” or “nonattainment” will be made by August 2011.

The proposed EPA revision to a lower acceptable level of ozone will significantly impact this region’s ability to remain in attainment of the clean air standard. Because a designation of nonattainment would bring possible economic, industrial and transportation regulations and restrictions to our area, AACOG and its air quality partners are closely attuned to the EPA developments in this regard. In the meantime, it strives toward bringing cleaner, healthier air to the region through its ongoing planning, analysis, collaboration, outreach, and educational efforts.

The next meeting of the Air Improvement Resources (AIR) Executive Committee of AACOG, comprised of local elected officials who determine local policy in response to the ozone challenge, meets on March 3, 2010, in the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, located at 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, Texas. For more information, contact Timothy Treviño at (210) 832-5089.

This monthly feature in the AACOG Region Newsletter spotlights our AACOG Board Members. This month features city of Shavano Park Mayor A. David Marne. Marne is a member of the AACOG Board and also sits on the AACOG Community Affairs Committee.

Education and Career Highlights: 1980-2000 United States Air Force (Retired); 2000-Date Founder/CEO, Half-Priced Real Estate, Inc.; 1990 - Received BA from the University of the State of New York; 1994-Masters of Education from Boston University School of Education, 2005-Present, Mayor of Shavano Park, Texas.

What do you like best about your work as the Mayor of Shavano Park? Being able to say "Yes" to our citizens, staff, and other local communities that the city of Shavano Park impacts. Knowing that my efforts are appreciated, working with the outstanding staff at City Hall and the pride of being able to see concrete results from the efforts of the professional staff and outstanding volunteers on all of the boards/commissions/committees. The caliber of individuals and their readiness to volunteer their valuable time makes the position of Mayor of Shavano Park the envy of every city in Bexar County.

What is currently going on in Shavano Park? A new fire station is being built; the Trinity Aquifer Water Well project is under construction; we are creating a Comprehensive Master Plan for the city; improving the website; establishing a Citizens Fire Brigade; the city of Shavano Park, is, has, and will continue to be in a state of continual improvement. I'm constantly asking myself, "What are we doing now? How can we do it better and more efficiently?"

What is the best advice you have received in working as an elected official? To think before I act and to listen before I speak.

Most of us will care for an older family member and be cared for by a family member as older adults. Only 10-20% of older adults will ever enter a nursing home, and yet little or no training is provided for family caregivers. Will you know what to do? Will your family know what to do? Do you need to know now?

mmLearn.org provides about 80 free videos to help families and other care providers gain knowledge and skills needed to care for a loved one. An online discussion group is also available. For more information, visit www.mmlearn.org or e-mail info@mmLearn.org.

The South Texas Asthma Coalition's 4th annual Asthma Summit will be held on February 18, 2010 in the AACOG Boardroom, located at 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 700, San Antonio, TX. The summit will focus around an effort to develop an asthma action plan; to be utilized by schools and those in the medical field. The plan developed is aimed at providing guidance on what action to take on Air Quality alert days. The summit provides participants an opportunity to learn of the latest research, technology and other related information. For more information on this summit, click here.

Take Charge of Your Money -- Get Your Federal Benefits Electronically
Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service

Still receiving your federal benefit payments by paper check? You should know that paper checks can be vulnerable to delays, loss or theft. In 2008, more than 485,000 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be reissued. Don’t let yours be next – get your payments electronically. It’s safer, easier and gives you more control over your money.

Have a bank account? To sign up for direct deposit, call the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Go Direct^® campaign helpline at (800) 333-1795, go to www.GoDirect.org, or visit your bank or credit union. Prefer a prepaid debit card? With the Treasury-recommended Direct Express^® Debit MasterCard^® card you can make purchases, get cash and pay bills. No bank account is required. To sign up for the card, or for information on its fees and features, call (877) 212-9991 or visit www.USDirectExpress.com. It’s your money – take charge of it today!

Main street shuttle service will begin in Fredericksburg in early February. The daily service targets tourists and local residents and designed to be a convenient mode of transportation around the shopping and museum district. The buses will be wrapped to resemble a vintage trolley. Click here for more information including a map of the route.

The Hondo Workforce Solutions-Alamo Career Center recently completed a move to its new location. The office is located at 740 18th Street; Hondo, TX; Phone – (830) 426-8111; FAX – (830) 426-3611. The center opened for business on January 12, 2010. A Grand opening will be held at the center on Friday, February 19, 2010, at 11 a.m. For information on a Workforce Solutions-Alamo Career Center near you, click here.

AACOG will host a Grantsmanship Training in San Antonio on March 1-5, 2010. The training, presented by The Grantsmanship Center, is a hands-on learning experience that covers all aspects of researching grants, writing grant proposals, and negotiating with funding sources. During this intensive, five-day workshop, you will learn TGCI’s groundbreaking proposal-writing format. In addition, you will learn how to locate new funding sources for your organization and you will work with a team to prepare an actual proposal for funding. The event will be held at the Northeast Community Learning Center; 8750 Tesoro Drive; San Antonio, Texas 78217-6228. Click here for more information--click here to register to attend.

AACOG is accepting nominations for the 2010 Regional Awards. Any person, corporation, community project, or governmental regional project that has contributed to the significant advancement of the region and/or any communities in the twelve counties of the Alamo Area is eligible for nomination. Current elected officials and public sector employees are ineligible for consideration, unless directly involved in a governmental regional project. Recipients will be honored at the Area Council & Board of Directors semiannual meeting on June 30, 2010. Visit www.aacog.com/award for more information or to submit your nomination today!

AACOG and Kerr County will co-host a Roadshow in Kerrville on February 3, 2010, from 5 to 7 p.m. It will take place at the Dietert Senior Center, located at 451 Guadalupe Street, Kerrville, Texas.

AACOG programs to be featured at the road show will include Housing & Weatherization; Workforce Solutions-Alamo Employment Assistance and Child Care; Alamo Regional Transit; and the Alamo Area Agency on Aging. Applications for Weatherization Assistance will be accepted at the event.

For more information about any of the programs highlighted at our workshops, contact AACOG at (210) 362-5200. To find out how to host an AACOG workshop in your area, please contact AACOG Public Relations Director Tim Treviño at (210) 832-5089. Click here to view the flyer.

People with Disabilities and Seniors Need Heaters

With the advent of bitterly cold weather in the San Antonio area, the Alamo Service Connection (ASC) has received many calls from people with disabilities, seniors, and family members seeking safe, easy-to-use heaters that are also energy-efficient.

Individuals, companies, businesses, organizations, employee groups, or agencies are asked to open their hearts-and their wallets to donate funds for the "Warm Hearts . . .Warm Homes" project. To find out more about this project, click here.

Articles in S.A. Express-News:
"City braces for arrival of the cold,"
"Donations sought for heaters for seniors, disabled,"

The 2010 Texas Conference on Aging will be held at the Inn of the Hills in Kerrville from March 21-24, 2010. This statewide conference is designed for aging professionals with both administrative and direct service responsibilities who work in a broad range of community-based settings. This annual conference promotes excellence in service delivery through the sharing of technical assistance, best practices, and management tools.

The theme for 2010 “Deep in the Heart of Aging” reflects our passion and commitment to serving older Texans and their families. The event is hosted by the Texas Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the Texas Association of Aging Programs, and Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Numerous sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information or to register to attend this conference, visit www.texasconferenceonaging.org.

AACOG will host the 2010 Texas Conference on Regionalism from September 15-17, 2010. Local organizations have an opportunity to support and participate in the 2010 conference through sponsorship. Sponsors will have access to more than 400 decision makers from across the state. From exhibit space to conference signage, sponsorship levels accommodate businesses of all sizes and provide generous benefits to donors. To find out more about sponsoring this exciting conference, contact Tim Treviño at (210) 832-5089 or Brenda Williams at (210) 362-5246. To become a sponsor or exhibitor, click here to fill out and return the sponsorship form.

The AACOG Region Newsletter is compiled and distributed monthly
by Tiffany Harris, AACOG Public Relations.