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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:
Everything ground to a halt yesterday as several inches of ice fell in Harrisburg overnight. The capitol was also closed on Monday due to that day's storm but lawmakers made it to Harrisburg on Tuesday for the Govenor's budget address for FY 2014/15. Below are links to documents that give an overview of his proposals as well as a detailed breakdown of how these dollars will be allocated. If you have any questions, please contact us.
2014-15 Budget in Brief
2014-15 Proposed Budget Line-Item Appropriations
http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2014/2014020599.HTM
The Office of the Budget web site also provides mid-year updates, vendor information, right to know policies, and much more.
Check out the meeting information below to take advantage of the regional meetings and AWDII course being offeed this month.
Has your business made th local news or been featured in a newspaper or magazine article? Send the information or link to the PPMA office and we will post it on the PPMA website (www.papmaonline.org)
Have a good week and drive safely,
MeeCee
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Upcoming Meetings
Februay 13 PPMA's Eastern Division's February meeting will feature a label review on fleas.
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 13 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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AWDII Course Coming Up Soon!
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.
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 Application
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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News from PPMA's Legislative Director
FARM BILL PRESERVES SULFURYL FLUORIDE FOOD USES
"The NPMA announced last week that the long delayed Federal Farm Bill that was finalized on January 27, 2014 contains language retaining the food uses for the fumigant sulfuryl fluoride. The inclusion of the sulfuryl fluoride provision in the Farm Bill Conference Report represents a significant legislative victory for NPMA, one that would not have been possible without NPMA members lobbying their federal lawmakers about the importance of retaining sulfuryl fluoride's food uses. It shows the importance of our Members attending Legislative Days each year in Washington, D.C.
The provision effectively reverses a proposed order revoking or withdrawing sulfuryl fluoride's food tolerances that EPA put forward in January 2011 under the threat of activist group litigation. The activists claimed that sulfuryl fluoride's tolerances were not permissible because the "risk cup" for sulfuryl fluoride was already filled with fluoride in drinking water and dental care products".
The bill has now been given to the full House and Senate for consideration.
The PPMA would like to thank our Federal Lawmakers for their support of this bill, with special thanks to Senator Robert Casey and his Staff. This certainly is a win situation for our industry and points out how important our relationships are on both a State and National Level.
It also emphasizes and reflects the great job our NPMA organization does in keeping up with these vital topics which have an enormous impact on the pest control industry. Their detailed attention to these issues is of continued importance to our Members as we move forward.
Keith Hamilton
Legislative Chair, PPMA |
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Legislative Update
| HB 1576 | Pyle, Jeff |
(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) |
| Companions: |
| 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: |
01-14-14 H Set on the Tabled Calendar
01-14-14 H Removed from the table
01-14-14 H Laid on the table
02-05-14 H Set on the Tabled Calendar
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| HB 1607 | Baker, Matt |
(PN 2868) 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. The act shall expire December 31, 2021 (changed from 2016). Section 7.9 shall take effect immediately; and the remainder of the act shall take effect in 180 days. (Prior Printer Number: 2216) |
| Companions: |
| HCO1365 | Baker, Matt | (M) | | 2-28-13 H Filed |
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| Bill History: |
01-13-14 H Meeting set for Off the Floor, Room B31 Main Capitol ...House Consumer Affairs
01-13-14 H Voted favorably from committee as amended House Consumer Affairs
01-13-14 H Reported as amended House Consumer Affairs
01-13-14 H First consideration
01-13-14 H Laid on the table
02-05-14 H Set on the Tabled Calendar
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| SB 1195 | Gordner, John |
(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) |
| Companions: |
| SCO1341 | Gordner, John | (M) | | 11- 6-13 S Filed |
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| Bill History: | 01-29-14 S Set on the Senate Calendar
01-29-14 S Laid on the table
01-29-14 S Removed from the table
03-10-14 S Set on the Senate Calendar
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Articles of Interest
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02-04-2014 |
Creepy critters resilient in Western Pennsylvania cold
This winter has been a bad one, but experts say it's unlikely that temperatures in Pennsylvania have been cold enough to slow the spread of invasive pests such as the emerald ash borer. "Some of these insects are incredibly cold-hardy," said Matthew Ginzel, a professor of entomology at Purdue University. "Whether ash... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |
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02-04-2014 |
AP NewsBreak: Changes sought for endangered act
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Republicans in Congress are calling for an overhaul to the Endangered Species Act, but experts say broad changes to one of the nation's cornerstone environmental laws are unlikely given the pervasive partisan divide in Washington, D.C... - AP |
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01-30-2014 |
Towns put out an alert for coyotes
Most people don't think of coyotes as animals living in this part of the country, but apparently enough of them do that at least two towns have issued warnings about their presence. Green Tree was the latest to post a notice after reported coyote sightings last week in the borough.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |
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01-28-2014 |
Antibiotics in Animals Tied to Risk of Human Infection
A federal analysis of 30 antibiotics used in animal feed found that the majority of them were likely to be contributing to the growing problem of bacterial infections that are resistant to treatment in people, according to documents released Monday by a health advocacy group.... - New York Times |
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01-28-2014 |
Genetic Weapon Against Insects Raises Hope and Fear in Farming
Scientists and biotechnology companies are developing what could become the next powerful weapon in the war on pests - one that harnesses a Nobel Prize-winning discovery to kill insects and pathogens by disabling their genes. By zeroing in on a genetic sequence unique to one species, the technique... - New York Times |
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01-22-2014 |
Bee Deaths May Stem From Virus, Study Says
The mysterious mass die-offs of honeybees that have wiped out roughly a third of commercial colonies each year since 2006 may be linked to a rapidly mutating virus that jumped from tobacco plants to soy plants to bees, according to a new study. The research, reported Tuesday in the online version of the academic... - New York Times |
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01-19-2014 |
Bedbugs cleaned up in Allentown nursing home
Residents of Liberty Nursing and Rehabilitation Home in Allentown may be able to rest easier this weekend after work was scheduled to be completed Friday in a cleanup of a bedbug infestation. Management of the home at 535 N. 17th St. became aware of the problem... - Allentown Morning Call | | | | | |
01-16-2014 |
Hough chosen to lead Pa. Game Commission
HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Game Commission named former Johnstown resident Matt Hough as its new executive director on Wednesday. The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Hough, who had been the agency's deputy executive... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat |
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