https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=3E8D09FC-5C29-41E5-B6D9-967F5A283B42
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) joined a bipartisan group of 32 senators in sending a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), urging them to include a reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program in any end-of-year legislation. SRS supports public schools, public roads, forest health projects, emergency services, and many other essential county services for more than 775 counties across the country.
The SRS program expired on September 30, 2015, and it has not been reauthorized for FY16 or beyond. Forest counties and schools received their last authorized SRS payment in 2016. Without SRS, existing revenue-sharing payments are not sufficient to support critical services these counties must provide.
“The SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies,” Senators Cantwell and Murray wrote. “In the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools in any end-of-the-year legislation. We appreciate your assistance with this matter.”
In October, Senators Cantwell and Murray pushed for a two-year reauthorization of SRS. In 2016, under SRS, Forest Service payments to Washington counties totaled more than $17.3 million. This year, without SRS funding in place, Forest Service payments to Washington counties have totaled just $2.3 million.
AG FERGUSON, AMAZON SUE OVER “GET RICH QUICK” SCAM
Press release issued 12/ 8/ 17http://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-amazon-sue-over-get-rich-quick-scam
Customers promised easy income, but got empty promises instead
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a consumer protection lawsuit today against a Massachusetts-based company, alleging it deceptively advertises and sells training packages to potentially thousands of Washingtonians for as much as $35,000 with promises of inside information on how to make money selling on Amazon.
Instead, the company, FBA Stores LLC, peddled bad advice and in some cases bad products likely to cause Amazon to shut down consumers’ accounts, leaving them without the promised income and sometimes in debt.
“The defendants promise easy money, but deliver a scam,” Ferguson said. “I will not tolerate scammers preying on Washingtonians.”
The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, accuses brothers Adam Bowser and Chris Bowser and their companies, including FBA Stores, of numerous violations of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and Business Opportunity Fraud Act.
Separately, Amazon has filed its own lawsuit against the Bowsers.
The company has offered trainings in at least eight cities in Washington this year, with potentially thousands of Washingtonians receiving deceptive advertising and hundreds purchasing training.
Amazon affiliation"Amazon Seminar" event ticket
The Bowsers deceive consumers by using multiple Amazon trademarks in their presentations and promotional materials, including the Amazon logo, creating the impression that they and their company are affiliated with or endorsed by Amazon. There is no such connection.
Some consumers told the Attorney General’s Office that a presenter at a seminar talked about a recent meeting between the defendants and upper-level executives of Amazon. The presenter also told consumers that the defendants had agreements directly with Amazon, that Amazon was pleased with the defendants’ operation, and that Amazon was considering contracting with the defendants to sell Amazon-branded merchandise.
The lawsuit alleges that the Bowsers’ representatives have also intimated to consumers that complaints against them and their company might result in retaliation from Amazon (such as the suspension of the consumer’s Amazon store) because Amazon did not want the defendants’ operation disrupted.
FBA Stores sends direct mailers promising a free “Amazon Workshop” in-person or online.
The brochures advertise a “special invitation private event,” use various Amazon logos and promise to teach consumers to “[m]ake $5,000-$10,000 in the next 30 days. … Even if you have never sold anything online before” or “just make some extra $$ [sic] to Pay Your Basic Bills.”
Most mailers include “complimentary VIP tickets” with a listed value of $147. In fact, these events are offered for free.
The defendants also send consumers email solicitations, signed by Chris or Adam Bowser, to encourage them to attend a free training or “profits workshop.
The emails promise consumers that they will “discover the secrets to making a stinking fortune on Amazon.”
The emails represent these as exclusive events: “Is this Fate? I don’t know, but I believe it wasn’t an accident that you were able to get tickets when other [sic] are going to be left out.”
High-pressure trainings
During a webinar, Chris Bowser claims he and Adam Bowser have made more than $75 million in online sales in 18 years of business, $12 million of which was through Amazon in only one year, and that they both have done more than $1 million in sales on Amazon in the last 30 days. He also claims that by using the system for sale to consumers, he made over $200,000 in a single year while in his twenties.
At the trainings, FBA Stores promises their “secrets” will allow clients to earn $5,000 to $10,000 per month by working less than an hour a day. Then, FBA Stores engages in aggressive sales tactics to get consumers to register for additional training ranging from $1,000 to $35,000, the lawsuit alleges.
FBA Stores then pressures consumers to apply for financing for starter capital, often pressuring consumers to apply for multiple credit cards or to take out mortgages on their property to cover the cost. Third-party credit vendors are on-site during these events, and may have an affiliation with FBA Stores, according to the lawsuit.
Consumers are required to pay at least $995 before they are allowed to read the contract.
The “techniques” taught at the seminars, such as buying fake reviews or opening second accounts, violate Amazon’s terms of use. As a result, Amazon may shut down the accounts of FBA Stores’ clients. The defendants do not disclose this risk. Separately, the Bowsers operate a service where consumers pay for help in getting their account suspension lifted.
Products not as advertised
According to the lawsuit, FBA Stores encourages clients to use the company as a product supplier or an intermediary with other manufacturers and distributers.
In many cases, the lawsuit alleges, items advertised by FBA Stores as “new” are in fact used or refurbished, and items that are advertised as being in original packaging have been perceptibly repackaged. Often, items are of a lesser quality than advertised.
When FBA Stores’ customers do not detect these problems themselves — or use another service called “Fulfillment by Adam” where products process and ship without ever reaching the client — they may be confronted by their own customers or Amazon itself for selling mislabeled items or providing a misleading listing. This can lead to Amazon suspending their account.
Ultimately, clients may be unable to sell items purchased from FBA Stores at the profit promised in the trainings and advertising, and if Amazon shuts down their seller accounts, clients may be unable to sell the items at all.
The complaint asks the court to order the Bowsers and FBA Stores to stop their deceptive practices, provide restitution to affected consumers and impose civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation.
Victims of FBA are encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.
Page 2: WEEKLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT
USDA BLOG: Time Management: The Key to a Food Safe Holiday
Posted on 12/ 6/ 17Source link
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/12/06/time-management-key-food-safe-holiday
The holiday season is a prized time; it’s that festive season that seems to be here before you know it, and you wonder how you will find the time to do everything you need to do to celebrate properly with family and friends. The holidays are also when we share favorite, treasured foods with our loved ones.
Whether you are making a favorite recipe for a party, holiday dinners, or mailing goodies to a lucky friend or family member, follow these food safety tips to make the most of your time when preparing your special holiday treats.
Make space
This is a good time to clean your refrigerator so that you have room for holiday foods. You’ll also want to clean and clear off your kitchen counter so that you have room to work. Cooking can be a messy business and you don’t want to splash or spill juices from raw meat or poultry, or mixtures that contain raw eggs on clean dishes, kitchen towels, your children’s homework or decorations.
Make a plan
Many holiday dishes and treats contain perishable foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. If you are preparing a complicated food that takes some time to make (e.g., egg rolls, lumpia, pasteles, alcapurrias and ravioli), make sure that the perishable foods stay hot or cold until needed. It may be helpful to divide up the different stages of the recipe. For example, if you are making lumpia, you can prepare the filling one day, and keep it in the refrigerator until you roll and package the lumpia.
If you are making a large batch of a favorite food (such as jams or jellies, pickled vegetables, sofrito) make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need before you get started so the food doesn’t sit at an unsafe temperature and allow bacteria to multiply.
Pack it Up and Hand it Out for Gift Giving
Once your goodies are prepared it’s time to pack them up for gift giving. Label with the name of the product, how it should be stored, and a ‘best by’ date if needed. (e.g., “Grandma’s Ravioli. Keep Frozen. Use by April 2018”). Not sure how long your item will last in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer? Download our FoodKeeper app to find out.
Store your goodies in a safe place (a cool, dry place for baked goods, the refrigerator or freezer for perishable foods), until time to deliver or serve. If you are presenting perishable foods be sure to tell the lucky recipient that the item must be kept in the refrigerator or freezer. Avoid leaving perishable gifts on a doorstep or handing them out at a workplace if there is no refrigeration.
Serve it Up
If you are preparing your family favorite for a dinner or party you can make it up to 4 days in advance. If you are making a large quantity of food, store it in several small or shallow containers, which will cool down faster than a large container. When it is time to serve, rather than having a large amount of food sit out on the serving table, put out one portion and keep a batch warm in the oven or cold in the refrigerator until you need it.
Taking it on the Road
If you are delivering your special treat or traveling to an event, remember to keep it out of the “Danger Zone,” the temperature range between 40 and 140°F. Pack perishables in a cooler on ice to keep them safe while you travel. If you are mailing perishables, see Mail Order Food Safety for tips on mailing food.
Consumers with questions about food safety can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live with a food safety specialist in English or Spanish at AskKaren.gov, available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
USDA Ranked Among Best Places to Work in Federal Government
Press release issued 12/ 7/ 17https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2017/12/07/usda-ranked-among-best-places-work-federal-government
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been rated by employees as among the top ten best places to work in the federal government, moving up two notches to come in at seventh place in the 2017 rankings. That is an improvement over 2016’s rankings, when USDA came in tied for ninth place. The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings are produced by the Partnership for Public Service and Deloitte and include opinions from more than 498,000 civil servants from 200 federal organizations on a wide range of workplace topics.
The rankings come from a complex algorithm that weighs responses to questions spanning from “is my organization a good place to work?” to “how satisfied are you with your job?” These measures are widely considered the most comprehensive rating of employee engagement in the federal government.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement:
“Our high-quality USDA employees work hard every day to provide the best possible services to our customers: the farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers of American agriculture. It’s our shared goal to be the most effective, most efficient, most customer-focused department in the entire federal government. And this year’s rankings show that USDA is also a great place to work and is improving every day. It is an honor to work alongside such dedicated professionals who make coming to work such a pleasure.”
USDA Promises New SNAP Flexibilities to Promote Self-Sufficiency
Press release issued 12/ 5/ 17https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2017/12/05/usda-promises-new-snap-flexibilities-promote-self-sufficiency
WASHINGTON, December 5, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is promising increased cooperation with states in the operation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to promote self-sufficiency, integrity in the program, and better customer service. To make these improvements, USDA intends to offer state agencies greater local control over SNAP, the safety net program that serves millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families. Specifics on such flexibilities will be communicated to state agencies in the coming weeks.
“SNAP was created to provide people with the help they need to feed themselves and their families, but it was not intended to be a permanent lifestyle,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “As a former Governor, I know first-hand how important it is for states to be given flexibility to achieve the desired goal of self-sufficiency for people. We want to provide the nutrition people need, but we also want to help them transition from government programs, back to work, and into lives of independence.”
The broad outlines of the coming flexibilities aimed at transitioning people into independence were described today by Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Acting Deputy Under Secretary and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Administrator Brandon Lipps to state human services officials as part of a meeting of the Secretaries’ Innovation Group (SIG). SIG is a membership organization of state human service and workforce secretaries who share innovations and push for national solutions which favor healthy families, work, economic self-reliance, budget responsibility, and limited government.
The pledge to provide greater local control to help people achieve self-sufficiency echoed themes Lipps expressed in a letter (PDF, 527 KB) to all state SNAP commissioners last week. Lipps’ letter listed the areas the new flexibilities will address:
Self-Sufficiency - The American dream has never been to live on government benefits. People who can work, should work. We must facilitate the transition for individuals and families to become independent, specifically by partnering with key stakeholders in the workforce development community and holding our recipients accountable for personal responsibility.
Integrity - We must ensure our programs are run with the utmost integrity. We will not tolerate waste, fraud, or abuse from those who seek to undermine our mission or who do not take their responsibility seriously.
Customer Service - Together, we must ensure that our programs serve SNAP participants well. In order to achieve a high degree of customer service, we at FNS must also provide States the flexibility to test new and better ways to administer our programs, recognizing that we are all accountable to the American taxpayer for the outcomes.
“We believe states are laboratories of innovation and seek to learn from you what works and what does not,” Lipps wrote. “As necessary to address each of these focus areas, we will allow greater state flexibility in areas that do not increase costs to taxpayers or our various partners on the ground.”
As FNS announces specific new flexibilities for promoting independence in the coming weeks, the agency will also continue to welcome additional ideas from the states that improve program integrity and best serve the participant and the American taxpayer. Guided by Secretary Perdue’s direction to “do right and feed everyone,” FNS will engage all relevant stakeholders throughout this process.
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and the Summer Food Service Program. Together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit www.fns.usda.gov.
APHIS Leads Ongoing Series of Surveys and Studies about Antibiotic Use on Farms
USDA blog post dated 12/ 1/ 17https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/12/01/aphis-leads-ongoing-series-surveys-and-studies-about-antibiotic-use-farms
The human and animal health communities recently celebrated World Antibiotic Awareness Week. Did you know that USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) plays an important role in the conversation about antibiotic use? We gather real-world data on the use of antimicrobial agents on U.S. farms – and you, the producers, can help us with our efforts.
Why is this topic so vital? Both people and animals benefit from using antimicrobials to fight illness. However, antibiotics must be used responsibly to prevent survival of resistant strains. If resistance grows, there will be fewer effective antimicrobials for use. When it comes to animal health, veterinarians must decide what antibiotics are appropriate to use, when, and for how long to help the animal recover from illness but also prevent against resistance.
Every year, APHIS leads studies and surveys that gather information about animals and animal health on farms throughout our country. We do at least one species-specific study each year, and last year we started a series of surveys and studies on the topic of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance that will last for several years.
These studies help us all better understand the big picture of how, when and why antimicrobials are being used on U.S. farms. For instance, we recently completed a survey on cattle feedlots and swine operations to understand how antimicrobials were used during 2016 – and we will repeat the study in 2018. This will help us see how things changed based on new rules on veterinary use of antimicrobials that took effect on January 1, 2017. The results will help us understand what is being done well and understand where we need to improve through education.
We plan to continue doing antimicrobial-specific surveys every two years, but we will also incorporate antimicrobial data collection into our species-specific studies, beginning with our current beef cow-calf study. We plan to do longer-term studies as well, where we go back to the participating farms several times over a 3-5 year period and analyze repeated biological samples collected from animals and pen floors. Together, these elements will help us see the big picture of antimicrobial use and resistance at the same time, aid decisions about how best to prevent resistance in the future, and ensure we are good stewards of antibiotics.
If you are invited to participate in any of APHIS’ animal health studies, we encourage you to take part. Having a broad range of producers participate strengthens the studies. We can’t get the true picture without participation!
PAGE 3: LOCAL MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS:
Work session agenda highlights
1) Discussion regarding letter of support for the City of Port Angeles efforts to maintain the quality and quantity of low cost water as promised by the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries restoration Act
2) Discussion regarding letter of support for the Quileute Tribe Transportation Safety Improvement Projects
3) Discussion with Treasurer regarding vacating the Office'
In anticipation of my vacating the office of County Treasurer, I want to discuss the following relating to my "settling business" with the county legislative authority, as required under RCW 36.29.010. Please let me know if you have any further expectations of me prior to my anticipated departure.
Editorial note: Another headline grabber from the Treasurer for sure.
(see full agenda)
Regular meeting agenda highlight
1) Memorandum of Understanding Amendment 2 with Washington State Patrol for OPSCAN communications network
Amendment 2 to the Memorandum of Understanding with Washington State Patrol relating to the agencies radio communications network. This agreement originated ín 2005 during the development of the OPSCAN communications network using grant funding. It was amended in 2007 to expand the scope of work. It is now amended to extend the period of performance through September 30, 2018.
2) Consolidated Contract Amendment 17 with Washington State Department of Health for a decrease in funding of $20,992
Attached is Washington State Consolidated Contract Amendment #t7 between the Clallam County Health and Human Services and the Department of Health. Amendment #17 amends Statements of
Work for FPHS Communicable Disease and Support Capabilities, Maternal & Child Health Block Grant, NEP Onsite Sewage Management Round 6, NEP-OSS NTA 0251, NEP Pollution ldentificatíon and Correction Round 5, NEP-Pollution Identification and Correction NTA 0319, and Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention. This is a decrease in our funding of $20,992.
3) The County Planning Commission (PC) recommended a Shoreline Master
Program (SMP) to the Board of County Commissioners to update and replace: (1) the existing 1976 SMP (last amended t992) and (2) the SMP administrative procedures in Chapter 35.01, Shoreline
Management, Clallam County Code (CCC) under Tjtle 35 CCC, Shorelines. The PC's recommendation is represented by the Draft SMP (September 2017) document introduced at the October 2,2017
Board work session, and is suppofted by the PC's written findings and conclusion dated October 18, 2017, previously transmitted to the Board
(see full agenda)
OTHER LOCAL AND REGIONAL MEETINGS...
SEQUIM CITY COUNCIL AGENDA HIGHLIGHT
Resolution No. R2017-25 Honoring the Life of John Miller, Oath of Office to Newly Elected Council Members Bob Lake, Ted Miller, Dennis Smith.
CLALLAM PUD: • An Invitation to Solicit Quotations for a Port Angeles 55’ Bucket Truck.
Staff recommendation: It is recommended that the District utilize NJPA to solicit quotations for one (1) 2018 or newer freightliner Model 122 SD diesel-powered with an A55e OC Boom; factory engineered for off- and on-road capability to be used as a bucket truck in Port Angeles.
JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING HIGHLIGHT:
- DELIBERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION re: Adoption of 2018
Jefferson County Budget:
RESOLUTION NO. re: Adopting the 2018 Budget for the General
Fund and Other Funds, and the 2018 Jefferson County Road
Construction Program and 2018 County Capital Improvement Program
RESOLUTION NO. re: Adopting a Salary Schedule for the FLSA and
Union Exempt Management and Professional Employees for 2018
Philip Morley, County Administrator Mark McCauley, Central Services Director
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with the Jefferson Clemente Foundation for City Sponsorship of the January 2018 Clemente Course
Action: Move to authorize the City Manager to enter into a sponsorship agreement with the Jefferson Clemente Foundation in the amount of $2,460, to be funded from Council Reserve.
CITY OF FORKS AGENDA HIGHLIGHT: Public hearing on Vacation rentals.
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Daily Bible Verse: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:5,8 NKJV
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http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
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