Chris Christie Wins Lawsuit to Exempt Himself From New Jersey's Open Records Laws

By David Sirota

Chris Christie is traveling around the country in advance of a possible 2016 presidential run. Who's picking up the tab for all these trips? He doesn't have to tell.  The New Jersey governor's office this week won a court ruling allowing it to exempt itself from disclosure rules, and it's permitted to conceal state records documenting which private interests are financing his nationwide political tour.

The case against Christie revolved around New Jersey Watchdog's request for records about more than "60 unofficial out-of-state trips Christie has taken since 2012." New Jersey Watchdog is a journalism project of the conservative Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity.

According to New Jersey rules, private third parties "may agree to pay for participation at an event by state employees," but documentation of those payments must be "retained with the department's or agency's records."

When he took office in 2010, Christie pledged to usher in "a new era of accountability and transparency," and he signed an executive order declaring that "the Governor shall not solicit, receive, or agree to receive, directly or indirectly, any ... meals, lodging, travel expenses or anything of monetary value intended to influence him in the conduct of his public duties."

This week in court, however, Christie's officials cited a 1979 letter from then-Gov. Brendan Byrne to argue that they can waive these rules for the governor.

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  http://www.ibtimes.com/chris-christie-wins-lawsuit-exempt-himself-new-jerseys-open-records-laws-1646518

The Secret to a Tattoo's Permanence: The Immune System

 

It turns out your ethereal watercolored bird is kind of like an infection—and the reason it's permanent is because your body keeps on fighting it forever.

Tattoo needles punch through the epidermis, the outer layer of skin, and drive the ink into the dermis, the deeper layer that's mottled with nerves and blood vessels.

"Every time the needle penetrates, it causes a wound that alerts the body to begin the inflammatory process," the video explains. That signal sends immune system cells racing to the site of the wound (or multiple wounds, in the case of the five-inch dragon breathing fire across your chest).

Special cells called macrophages come to the rescue, eating up the dye in an attempt to "clean up" the inflammation it's causing. The rest of the dye gets soaked up by skin cells called fibroblasts. The fibroblasts, along with many of the macrophages, stay suspended in the dermis in perpetuity.

The dye in the bellies of the trapped macrophages and fibroblasts shows through the skin, projecting your Chinese word for "love" or constellation of tiny blue stars to the outside world

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=4n68koiefpm6h

Health & Human Services Committee “moves to build new Animal Services Building on ROUTE 76”

July 31—The H&HS committee of the Boone County Board voted to build a 2,700 square foot animal shelter off of Route 76 near Maplecrest Nursing Home and the County Highway Department.  The vote was 3-0 with one abstaining and one not present. The decision is subject to the approval of the entire county board on August 20, 2014.

Last year the county board increased dog tags by $5.00 pre year with the funds dedicated to building improvement and maintenance.

Below are the rough plans and cost estimates.  The committee’s action limited cost to $713,000. Alternative plans to build the facility on the old site on Appleton Road were also discussed. Below are the preliminary figures and drawings presented by the architect.

Below are the alternatives which were rejected.

First, a summary of costs for the above shown “new building” on the current Appleton Road Site.

Second, a summary of costs of using the old facility as a base—renovate and upgrade adding 900 square feet.  All at the Appleton Road site.

Timetable for Reopening Tollway Overpasses

Boone County Job Opportunities

Animal Control Warden

Date: July 24, 2014

Department: Animal Control

Location: Belvidere, Illinois

Pay: $12.50, DOQ

Pay Type: Hourly

Employment Type: Full Time; Part-time arrangement negotiable

SUMMARY:

This position enforces all County ordinances and applicable State of Illinois laws pertaining to animal control as designated by Boone County. The position also works with the public to identify, resolve, and improve upon animal control issues that arise. The County is seeking an individual who has impeccable communication and customer service skills. Additionally, the candidate must have a proven successful record of independent judgment and be flexible with working in a variety of environments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

This candidate will be responsible for variety of tasks including patrolling assigned areas to capture stray animals, receiving and responding to public complaints, issuance of citations, cleaning and maintaining kennel areas, feeding animals and operating animal control equipment. Other duties may be assigned. This is an on-call position. Candidates must be willing to work rotating weekends and some holidays. This position reports to the Operations Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

This position requires knowledge of animal behavior, animal control laws and animal handling skills. Requires skill driving animal control vehicle and handling of animal control equipment. Valid driver’s license is required. This person must have some animal handling experience and good public communication skills, work independently and also as a team player. This position requires extensive knowledge of animals, especially dogs. Experience working in a related position is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position requires extensive physical demands. Job duties could require frequent standing, walking, and use of hands. Must have the ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Occasionally, candidate may be required to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

A combination of office and field work. Exposure to disagreeable elements such as heat and cold.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Candidates must possess a high school diploma or general education degree (GED) and six months experience working with animals. Bilingual skills a plus.

This position is 40 hours per week with a starting wage of $12.50 per hour DOQ. This is a union position. Boone County offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, retirement, and vacation.

Please submit completed application, resume and cover letter to:

Boone County Administration Office

1212 Logan Avenue, Suite 102

Belvidere, IL 61008

Applications are available online at: http://www.boonecountyil.org/page/employment-opportunities.

Applications must be received by August 15, 2014.

Above is taken from:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/page/employment-opportunities

It is that time again---

 

Re-Elect

BILL PYSSON

BOONE COUNTY BOARD

Bill’s initiatives over the last two years have improved your county government. These are a few of Bill’s accomplishments.

     · Suggested and succeeded in having all appointed posts and jobs openings posted on county website

     · Insured that the required disclosures of employee salaries are available to the public; by name not merely job description.

     · Demanded the County Board Chairman posts all proposed appointments in advance. Based upon the requirement of the board’s advice and consent, Bill votes on no appointment unless they are posted in advanced on the website and the application letters of all applicants are made public. Unfortunately the chairman only sometimes complies with this request.

     · Questioned why the county has not completed a physical inventory of property in over seven years. In 2014 such an inventory was finally completed and a perpetual inventory system is being devised.  County ordinances required such inventories yet the county failed to comply with the requirement for years.

     · Written evaluation of employees supervised by the County Administrator will now occur once per year. Previously formal evaluations were not required and did not occur.

It is the duty of the county board to provide general supervision of the animal services, planning enforcement and building department and the County Administrator’s office.  Bill criticized the county for not having written procedures for these activities.   Bill suggested written logs of zoning complaints, car usage, office calls and office contacts; unfortunately these suggestions have not been accepted.  Hopefully the accountability benefits of such rudimentary recordkeeping will eventually be accepted.

Bill’s two District One opponents are opposed to Wind Farms. Bill voted against the ordinance change because the proposed 2000 feet set back would effectively prohibited commercial wind turbines in the county. Wind turbines can be effectively regulated by the special use provision of the county zoning code. That position was recommended by the profession staff of the County Zoning Department.

THERE IS MUCH MORE TO DO—Re-Elect BILL PYSSON

Why Are Wages for Young College Grads So Terrible?

Income Growth for College Grads:
It's Terrible

SF Fed

 

Read more by clicking on the following:  http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/07/millennial-entry-level-wages-terrible-horrible-just-really-bad/374884/