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PPMA OFFICERS
Ed Van Istendal
President
David M. Hyres Pest Control
Coatesville, PA
Paul Kutney
President Elct
Ashley, PA
David M. Hyres
Past President
David M. Hyres Pest Control
Douglassville, PA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Central Division
Gary Lesher
Governor
Perry Pest Control
Landisburg, PA
Chris Anfinsen
Terminix
Mechanicsburg, PA
Keith Hamilton
J.C. Ehrlich
Pleasant Gap, PA
Keith Jones
Archer Pest Control
Camp Hill, PA
Eastern Division
Jim Daly
Governor
Daly Termite & Pest Mgmnt
Ardmore, PA
Ed Van Istendal
1st Vice Governor
Coatesville, PA
Mike Snyder
Township Pest Control
Warrington, PA
Jim Nase
Moyer Indoor/Outdoor
Souderton,
Northeast Division
Paul Kutney
Governor
Ashley, PA
Diane Lown
Ajax Environmental Solutions
Dalton, PA
Wesley Rost
J.C. Ehrlich
Ashley, PA
Western Division
John Morrison
Governor
D-Bug, Inc.
Latrobe, PA
Adam Witt
Witt Pest Management
Pittsburgh, PA
Eric Herrington
Terminix
Bridgeville, PA
John Besic
Besic Pest Control
Transfer, PA
Technical Advisor
Chad Gore
Rentokil North America
Carnegie, PA
AWDII Chairman
Ed Van Istendal
Coatesville, PA
Legislative Chairman
Keith Hamilton
J.C. Ehrlich
State College, PA
Bed Bug Taskforce Chairman
Marty Overline
Aardvark Pest Management
Philadelphia, PA
Salino Scholarship Chair
Dana Lown
Ajax Environmental Solutions
Dalton, PA
Industry Liaison
Brian Smith
Univar
Sharon Hill, PA
Executive Director
Versant Strategies
Harrisburg, PA
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Dear Friends:
Happy New Year to our clients and a cold start to 2014 it is! As always, we are here to serve you so if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
The legislative calendar for 2014 starts off with members of the Senate and House returning to session for a week each on January 13 (i.e. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) and January 27, and the first week of February. Governor Corbett will give his FY 2014/15 budget address on February 4 after which the Senate and House will hold 3 weeks of budget hearings. They will return to session again beginning on March 10. Because 2014 is also a major election year for state legislators - all House seats and half of the Senate seats along with the election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor - a major effort will be made to pass the budget in a timely fashion by June 30th.
Sadly, we bid farewell to Capitolwire news journalist Pete DeCoursey who passed away on new year's day. I especially valued hearing the many interesting nuances when he and John would talk capitol politics and I would stand by and listen in, particularly in my early years as a Versant partner. We bid you Godspeed, Pete.
And lastly, come out to celebrate Farm Show week and support Pennsylvania agriculture. While you're at it (and the reason many people visit the Farm Show), taste the many PA produced food offerings in the food court and throughout the show. Thirsty? Enjoy a free sampling of Pennsylvania wine.
Sincerely,
MeeCee
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Upcoming Meetings
January 21 - 23 Register now for NPMA's Eastern Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Tarrytown, NY. Online registration can be accessed at www.npmapestworld.org/events or you can register here.
February 18 - PPMA's Central Division will be holding its spring seminar which focuses on wood destroying insects. More information and a registration form will be forthcoming!
March 14 Sure, it's early, but mark your calendars for the Eastern Division's 2014 spring seminar. The morning session also provides a separate session for new technician training, i.e. those not yet certified or new hires -- with information on formulations and tools. Interested in being an exhibitor? Register now to confirm your spot!
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Looking for AWDII Course Attendees
The Pennsylvania Pest Management Association is pleased to announce that it will be conducting a three-day training and exam session for individuals interested in becoming PPMA Accredited Wood Destroying Insect Inspectors. The dates for the course are February 25-27, 2014 at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott, 1930 John Fries Hwy, Quakertown, PA 18951. A block of rooms is available at $119/night. Call 215-529-6800 for reservations.
The cost for the AWDII three-day course is $325 per attendee and includes lunch each day. Send payment to the PPMA office at 116 Pine Street, 5th Fl., Harrisburg, PA 17101. Credit card payments are also accepted. Call the PPMA office at 1-800-842-9090 for more information. Access the application form here.
Since its inception, hundreds of PMPs have taken the PPMA's Accredited Wood Destroying Insect Inspector's Program. This voluntary program was designed to raise the quality of Wood Destroying Insect Inspections and subsequent WDI Inspection Reports that are generated by course graduates.
Many who have taken the course have not yet completed all the requirements to be listed as graduates. We are looking to include these graduates on our website, and want the list to be as complete as possible. If you are not sure what your status is, please email AWDII Chairman Ed Van Istendal at bugsvan@aol.com to find out. It may be that you just need one or two items to gain this exclusive status.
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Salino Scholarship News & Application
On behalf of the Salino Scholarship Committee I would like to thank the Central and Northeast divisions of the PPMA and the state seminar planning committee for their recent contributions to the Salino Scholarship Fund.
Because of their contributions and the many we have received over the years from all PPMA divisions, state seminars, 50/50 raffles and individuals, we have been able to award over $55,000.00 to 87 deserving students.
The 2013-2014 scholarship recipients were:
Casey Pollock, Waynesboro, Pa. - $600.00
Megan Smith, Mill Hall, Pa. - $600.00
Conner Chess, Hadley, Pa. - $1000.00
Shea Schlernitzauer, Philadelphia, Pa. - $800.00
Michael Black, Emmaus, Pa. - $600.00
Congratulations to all. Dana Lown, Chairman
Apply Now for 2014/15 Scholarship Award
The Salino Scholarships are awarded annually by the Pennsylvania Pest Management Association to high school students who are residents of Pennsylvania and who have been accepted as full time students at an accredited 4-year college or university or enrolled in a 2-year associated degree program leading to an Associate Degree and/or Bachelor's Degree. Applicants must be sponsored by a Pennsylvania Certified/Registered Applicator and/or an owner or employee of a pest control company which has maintained active membership in the PPMA for a minimum of 4 years. Applicants must also meet two of the following requirements:
1. "B" high school grade average or GED equivalent;
2. minimum of 900 combined SAT score (critical reading and math scores only);
3. if now attending college, minimum of 2.8 cumulative college GPA.
Documentation and other application information are required (see specific requirements on enclosed application form). Previous winners are not eligible for a second award.
All entries must be received at the PPMA office at 116 Pine Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101 by March 15, 2014.
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Health Insurance Opportunity-PPMA Membership Required
One of the major concerns that many small businesses face is the ability to purchase insurance, especially health insurance coverage for its owners and employees. PPMA recently approved an insurance provider that offers health care insurance, life insurance, and workers' compensation coverage. No business is too small. For more information and an insurace application for a proposal, contact Agri-Services Agency at www.agri-servicesagency.com or call them at 1-877-466-9098.
This benefit is available to PPMA members only! It is a benefit of membership. If you haven't signed up or renewed your membership, do so now!
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Legislative Update
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PLS Summary: |
(PN 2647) The Endangered Species Coordination Act provides for a standard state process for listing of threatened or endangered species by formalizing existing resource agency authority via rulemaking under the Regulatory Review Act, consolidating the listings into a centralized database managed by the with limited access grated to information in the database to planners required to consider the impacts that a project could have or to those involved in conservationist efforts, and protecting sensitive data by prohibiting the disclosure of the information to anyone not involved in a development or conservation project. The bill also makes related repeals. Effective in 90 days. (Prior Printer Number: 2133) |
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Companions: |
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HCO2023 |
Pyle, Jeff |
(M) | |
6-12-13 H Filed | |
SB 1047 |
Scarnati, Joseph |
(Related) | |
7- 3-13 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Game and Fisheries |
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Bill History: |
01-13-14 H Set on the Tabled Calendar |
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Bill History: |
12-17-13 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Room B31 Main Capitol ...House Consumer Affairs
12-12-13 H Meeting cancelled for 12/17/13 ...House Consumer Affairs
01-13-14 H Meeting set for Off the Floor, Room B31 Main Capitol ...House Consumer Affairs
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PLS Summary: |
(PN 2216) Amends the Underground Utility Line Protection Law to further provide for definitions and to make substantial editorial revisions. The bill transfers oversight authority for PA One Call from the Department of Labor and Industry to the Public Utility Commission and adds that the lawful start date for applicable projects is three business days following notification to PA One Call. The bill places duties upon facility owners to maintain records of notice to the One Call system, verify where underground utility lines run in certain instances, report violations, and participate in One Call's member mapping system. The legislation details when a fee must be paid by an excavator, designer, or operator and further requires the reporting of alleged violations. The legislation establishes A Damage Prevention Commission, responsible for establishing a Damage Prevention Committee, the purpose and duty of which is enumerated in the legislation. The bill also establishes the Underground Utility Line Protection Fund to be used by the commission for enforcement of the Underground Utility Line Protection Law. Section 7.9 shall take effect immediately; and the remainder of the act shall take effect in 180 days. |
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Companions: |
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HCO1365 |
Baker, Matt |
(M) | |
2-28-13 H Filed |
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PLS Summary: |
(PN 1651) Amends the Workers' Compensation Act transferring $4 million from the Administrative Fund to the Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund. Requires an injured worker to file a claim petition within 180 days of the currently required notice to the fund and requires the worker to provide proof of wages before filing a claim of lost employment. Also provides for medical treatment for injured workers through a list of designated healthcare providers. Effective immediately. (Prior Printer Number: 1613, 1642) |
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Companions: |
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SCO1341 |
Gordner, John |
(M) | |
11- 6-13 S Filed |
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Bill History: |
01-13-14 S Set on the Senate Calendar |
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Articles of Interest
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01-03-2014 |
Battle for Survival May Yield the Rain Forest's Diversity
The diversity of a tropical rain forest can be hard to fathom for people who have not seen one. Three acres of jungle may be home to more than 650 species of trees - more species than grow in the entire continental United States and Canada combined. It's tempting to look at all those species living so close together as... - New York Times |
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01-02-2014 |
Opinion: Endangered Species Act is as important as ever
By George Fenwick Forty years ago, the most important wildlife protection measure in U.S. history was signed into law by President Richard Nixon, who marked the occasion by issuing the following statement: "Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with... - Trenton Times |
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01-02-2014 |
Pesticides in French Wine
Organic wine producers in the Burgundy region of France are facing prosecution for refusing to use pesticides. This move is perplexing given the Ministry of Agriculture's support for the organic wine industry and growing public alarm over pesticides in French wine. The share of... - New York Times |
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