US agrees to pay billions to Marines affected by toxic water

 

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has agreed to provide disability benefits totaling more than $2 billion to veterans who had been exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

The decision was quietly made public Thursday with a notice in the Federal Register, the government's official journal.

Beginning in March, the cash payouts from the Department of Veterans Affairs may supplement VA health care already being provided to eligible veterans stationed at the Marine base for at least 30 days cumulative between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987. Veterans will have to submit evidence of their diagnosis and service information.

Outgoing VA Secretary Bob McDonald determined that there was "sufficient scientific and medical evidence" to establish a connection between exposure to the contaminated water and eight medical conditions for purposes of awarding disability compensation.

The estimated taxpayer cost is $2.2 billion over a five-year period. The VA estimates that as many as 900,000 service members were potentially exposed to the tainted water.

"This is good news," said retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger, whose daughter Janey was born in 1976 while he was stationed at Lejeune. Janey died from leukemia at age 9. Ensminger now heads a veterans group, The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten, which advocates for those seeking disability compensation.

"This has been a hard, long slog," said Ensminger, who says the government must go further in covering additional diseases. "This is not the end of the issue."

The new rule covers active duty, Reserve and National Guard members who developed one of eight diseases: adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Parkinson's disease.

Documents uncovered by veterans groups over the years suggest Marine leaders were slow to respond when tests first found evidence of contaminated ground water at Camp Lejeune in the early 1980s. Some drinking water wells were closed in 1984 and 1985, after further testing confirmed contamination from leaking fuel tanks and an off-base dry cleaner. The Marine Corps has said the contamination was unintentional, occurring when federal law didn't limit toxins in drinking water.

Spurred by Ensminger's case, Congress in 2012 passed a bill signed into law by President Barack Obama extending free VA medical care to affected veterans and their families. But veterans were not automatically provided disability aid or survivor benefits. The issue has prompted lawsuits by veterans organizations, which note that military personnel in Camp Lejeune housing "drank, cooked and bathed" in contaminated water for years.

"Expanded coverage is making progress, but we also need to know whether the government may be purposefully leaving people out," said Rick Weidman, executive director of Vietnam Veterans of America.

Affected veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune may now submit applications for benefits, once the rule is officially published Friday. Roughly 1,400 disability claims related to Lejeune are already pending, and will be reviewed immediately, according to the VA.

Above is from:  http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-agrees-to-pay-billions-to-marines-affected-by-toxic-water/ar-AAlOrhF?li=AA4ZnC&ocid=spartandhp

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Meeting next week will determine if Belvidere Township allows Helnore on ballot for supervisor election

 

The article is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170111/belvidere-township-supervisor-candidate-may-have-too-few-valid-signatures-to-run  Go to that site to view the video.

Wednesday

Posted Jan 11, 2017 at 7:38 PM Updated Jan 12, 2017 at 12:12 AM

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By Susan Vela
Staff writer

BELVIDERE - Former township assessor Diann Helnore may not have enough valid signatures to challenge Supervisor Bill Robertson in the April 4 general election.

Boone County Clerk Mary Steurer told the Belvidere Township Officers Electoral Board that Helnore's 236 valid signatures are eight shy of the 244 required.

The board consisting of township Trustees Richard Nelson, Judy Schabacker and Bob Turner shared Steurer's report during a hearing today.

They will decide whether Helnore's name will appear on the April 4 ballot at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Belvidere Township Town Hall, 8200 Fairgrounds Road.

Helnore, who is running as an independent, intends to contest she has more than the required amount. Her nomination petitions had a total of 304 signatures.

"We did have some from other townships, but most of them are valid," she said after today's hearing. "We'll exceed the number that we need easily. I think it's over 250. It might be 260. I'm looking forward to getting on the ballot."

Robertson declined to comment, saying only that he will not talk about the matter until it's settled.

His attorney, Jim Hursh, also declined comment. He has asked the board to ban more evidence from Helnore at Tuesday's hearing.

"Anything could happen," Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer said. "(However), this is an area of the law where close enough isn't sufficient."

Helnore served as township assessor from 2010 to 2013. She said she decided to run a few weeks before the Dec. 19 deadline. She sought signatures during snowstorms, she said.

Garden Prairie power plant proposal resurfaces

 

Garden Prairie power plant proposal resurfaces

Tuesday

Posted Jan 10, 2017 at 12:37 PM Updated at 1:13 AM

 

By Susan Vela
Staff writer

GARDEN PRAIRIE - A Missouri company has revived its plans to build a $160 to $180 million power plant in eastern Boone County.

Officials with Power Ventures LLC are requesting a special-use permit for construction of a 450-megawatt, natural-gas-fired "peaker" power plant east of Garden Prairie Road and south of Interstate 90.

The company's 2009 permit expired at the end of 2013. In documents submitted to the county, officials said their latest designs would include three larger turbines, rather than the 12 reciprocating engines in their original plan. The new application for the Garden Prairie Energy Facility reflects the use of state-of-the-art technology, according to county documents.

If approved, the facility would have to be in operation by 2020. Otherwise, the permit would expire again.

The Boone County Board's Planning, Zoning and Building Committee is recommending denial for the special-use permit. The full board votes at its Jan. 18 session, and some residents plan to attend in opposition.

 

Tom Pyszka lives within a mile of the proposed peaker plant. He's concerned about light pollution and a potential terrorist attack. Law enforcement officers rarely patrol the region.

"We're hoping they find a better location for it," he said. "This is not the place."

The board appears divided on the matter. Denny Ellingson and Raymond Larson, both of District 1, and Brad Stark, of District 3, voted to deny the permit at the Jan. 4 Boone County Planning, Zoning and Building Committee meeting. Marshall Newhouse, District 1, and Jessica Muellner, District 3, voted in favor.

Chairman Karl Johnson said it "makes no sense" to reject the plan, even if some residents object.

Johnson voted to approve Power Ventures' 2009 permit. He plans to vote for the plan next week.

"It's minimal impact in the agricultural area," he said. "It is not a large industrial facility. It is simply a building with a smokestack with turbines. There's minimal environmental impact. It makes no sense to not allow a facility in that area."

Others said the power plant shouldn't go on "prime agricultural land."

"There are a lot of concerns," Ellingson said. "It belongs in an industrial area."

Above story is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170110/garden-prairie-power-plant-proposal-resurfaces

Audience requested for Wednesday’s 4:00 Belvidere Township Meeting

 

Dear Friends 

They are trying to throw me off the ballot as an independent candidate.  I have turned in 304 signatures they are objecting to many things, But the valid vote count I need to end up with is 244 votes.  I understand that Judy Schabacker Township Clerk circulated information earlier to candidates and published the information that said the requirement was only 234.  But per Mary Stuerer the County clerk 244 is the number.

Republican candidates needed only 19 signatures and Democratic candidates only 8.

I could really need your presence and support at the hearing tomorrow afternoon at 4 PM, at Belvidere Township, so I am not .   Not to say or do anything, but just as observer, and a witness to what is going on.  Please come if you can. 

Kimm, My husband is not able to attend, he just came down with a severe case of shingles in the past few days on his face head and eyes.  It is pretty serious and dangerous.  He is really sick and I believe that it will be  a long healing process. 

So if you can make it to this meeting , please come .  I appreciate the fact that you are my friends.

Thank you so much.

 

Diann Helnore

 

 

Diann Helnore

Helnore-Robertson Hearing continues on Friday

 

 

Gentlemen:

Please be advised that the records check in the above-referenced matter has been scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the office of the Boone County Clerk.  The address is listed below.  The County Clerk’s office has done a preliminary review, with the hopes that this can reduce time on Friday, but if we need to review all of the objected signatures on Friday, we can do so.  The County Clerk’s preliminary findings are attached.

Please do not hesitate to call should you have any questions.

Keri-Lyn

Helnore’s Nomination challenged by Belvidere Township Supervisor

 

 

COMMENTS: 

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• Diann Helnore

To put this in perspective . An Independent candidate for elected office in Belvidere Township for the 4-7-2017 election requires a minimum of (244) valid signatures for this office , ( 2 Candidates are running for office. ) A Republican candidate for elected office in Belvidere Township for the 4-7-2017 election requires only ( 19) valid signatures)s ( 8 Republican Candidates are running for office. ( 7) are incumbents) A democratic candidate requires (8) valid signatures to run for an office. There are no Democratic candidates running for office.

 

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170103/belvidere-township-supervisor-protests-his-challengers-nominating-signatures

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20161101/belvidere-township-approves-2-percent-raises-for-some-of-its-elected-officials

Groups Continue to Protest Proposed Great Lakes Basin Railroad Alternative Route

 

December 23, 2016

By Jean Seegers, REPORTER

JEAN SEEGERS, PHOTO – The Herald. Kathi Jurkowski holds a map of the proposed Great Lakes Basin Rail Project route. Jurowski and her husband own a farm on Yale Bridge Road. According to Jurkowski, if the route is approved it would impact not only their farm, but that of dozens of other farms and businesses, and potentially do harm to the environment and wildlife in the area.

The controversy surrounding the proposed 260 mile, multi-billion-dollar Great Lakes Basin Railroad (GLBT) alternative route continues to rage. Last September, the privately owned GLBT submitted a proposal to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that laid out a route that would run along the west side of Rockford into Rock, Winnebago, Ogle and Lee counties instead of Boone County as was originally proposed last spring. According to the GLBT, the reason for building the railroad is to relieve congestion in and around Chicago, improve capacity, safety and the environment, and increase revenue. The route will begin in Northern Indiana wind its way north through Illinois, cross I-90 and end in Milton, Wis.

In a Natural Land Institute newsletter article addressing the issue, Executive Director Kerry Leigh said NLI is concerned about the siting and scope of the project. According to Leigh, the project would have a direct impact on the regions streams, surface and groundwater quality. Meridian Road is in the proposed route. The largest aquifer in Winnebago County is located in the area. “The (rail) route could create a loss of habitat and increased fragmentation and impact on endangered and threatened species as well as the extensive taking of production farmland,” Leigh said.

Groups of concerned citizens like farm owners Jerry and Kathi Jurkowski, who own a farm on Yale Bridge Road, have come together to protest the proposed railroad route. Jurkowski is worried that the freight trains could be carrying hazardous materials. “We are in limbo right now. Nobody knows what is going to happen.” Eminent Domain laws allow the government to take private property and convert it for public use. The government must provide just compensation.

“They would be taking 200 feet of our land. They pay for the strip, not the house or farmland,” Jurkowski said. “Our farm is very close to where they want to route the trains,” said another Rockton resident, Jerri Noller who lives on Shirland Road. “At a recent forum in Beloit, we were told that Eminent Domain laws are decided state by state. We also learned that the rail outline that has been drafted was done over 100 years ago and has not been updated since. During the last 100 years, many small villages and farms have been established.” Noller said her group has petitioned the STB relaying their concerns. Rockton Village President Dale Adams said the Village isn’t addressing the issue at this point. “More public hearings are scheduled in Boone and surrounding counties as well as in this area. “It (the railroad) probably won’t happen in our life time.” Adams said Rockton Township and the Village of Rockton have drafted a decision to oppose the railroad.

Winnebago County Board member Jim Webster is against the proposal. Many of Webster’s constituents live in the proposed area. He has put forth a resolution opposing the railroad development. The resolution was unanimously approved by the Board. Now it seems to be a matter of wait and see. Before the GRBT can proceed, the planned route must be approved by the Surface Transportation Board. The STB can reject the route and require the GRBT to come up with another route. Those opposed say they will continue to protest. The resolution of the railroad route lies in the hands of the ST

Above is from:  http://indreg.com/?p=2861