Today was a Zoom only meeting with 31 folks on line.
CHAT TIME:
We discussed men’s neckties, which men no longer seem to wear very often.
The schmitt family was on early. Our Student of the Month, Jessica has finished basketball and now is playing Lacrosse.
Tori Morgan was on with no picture. She was getting ready for something else.
Ernie Boll now is 3 hours behind us in Arizona. But it will be 84 degrees there this afternoon.
David Haight was on the phone from Luther Crest.
Gary Englehardt said that he and Gwenn had dinner at the Gas station last evening.
GUESTS:
Daniel and Shawn Schmitt, Parents of our student of the month; and Meredith McGarr, Guidance Counselor at Parkland H.S.
OPENING:
Pres. Gail Micca at 7:30 rang the bell and started the meeting.
Sue Weber gave a very nice invocation with special mention of Kathy Ott and Al Lewis.
Then Ralph Witcher led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S. Gail then led us in the recitation of the Four Way Test to which we added “Is it fun?”
AWRC HISTORY STORY:
PDG Bill Weber delivered the first half of today’s story about the Youth Exchange programs and AWRC. Then Past Asst. Governor Sue Weber delivered the second half.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH”
Rev. Jeffrey Kistler conducted the award for March to Parkland H.S. Senior Jessica Schmitt. See separate article.
Jessica was joined on Zoom by her parents, Daniel and Shawn Schmitt, and by her Guidance Counselor, Meredith McGarr. They all said that she has a bright future.
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of March member celebration events.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
AREA 1 WOMAN OF THE YEAR:
The ceremony for our Gwenn Carr was last Thursday. Congratulations, Gwenn!!
GENERATORS FOR UKRAINE:
So far three used generations have been donated. St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Allentown is leading this effort. Supplies also are needed. Contact Gail Micca.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD BANK:
There was a distribution last weekend. The next one will be on April 9th. Volunteers are needed. Contact Jean Masiko.
PARK CLEANUP PLAN:
The Highway clean-up project is postponed.
Sharon Goldner will lead a Park clean-up event and needs volunteers.
DISTRICT 7430 ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
Pres. Gail said that right now she, Herb Klotz and the Webers are registered for this event. Try it. You’ll like it.
AWRC 60TH CHARTER NIGHT PARTY:
Please join us on Friday, April 29th, 6pm at Madeline's upper banquet room for this meaningful celebration. Spouses and guests are welcome too.
This 60th year milestone of our Allentown West Rotary Club marks a special time in our club history and you are an important part of it. It's a time to celebrate our past and look into our future – we hope you won't miss this fun event!
Registration is required by April 12th.
Awards and recognition
Trivia fun
Selfie booth/photo ops
Special 60-year creative hat contest – prize awarded for best hat (Who can beat Ron Coleman?)
and more...
Dinner buffet will include Madeline’s salad (field greens tossed with strawberries, oranges and toasted almonds, mixed in a mango vinaigrette), Burgundy Beef Tips, Salmon Filet, Cream Pesto Pasta, and assorted mini sweets for dessert.
Please use this link for Club Runner registration:
https://allentownwestrotary.org/event/awrc-60th-anniversary-celebration/
Please use this link for PayPal – processing fee will be included in total:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VZKLYSMBJFEZ6
Or you may also pay via check, $60 per person
Mail to: Allentown West Rotary Club
PO Box 243
Orefield, PA 18069
If you have any problems registering, please contact
Gail Micca: president@allentownwestrotary.org
HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP”
We have a Leader and a date. The Leader is Sharon Goldner. The date is Saturday April 9th. Please contact Sharon to sign up.
ROTARY DAY OF SERVICE -- APRIL 30:
Jeanne Shipe will lead the AW Rotarians who will work with members of the downtown Allentown RC to operate a day of “Shredding” at the Macungie Center on Brookside Road. Anybody can bring up to 4 boxes of items to be shredded.
Volunteers are needed for 10 A.M. to 1 P.M.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S.:.
The produce distribution went well.
SNACK PACKS:
Pres. Gail will Chair this program for the next 3 months.
Today, March 16 is the next packing event.
MEALS ON WHEELS_
Helen Papathanasion will Chair the M.O.W. program for the next 3 months. Please let Helen know if you will substitute.
This program is going great.
THE WITCHER FAMILY HAS MOVED:
Ralph announced that they now are living in Coatesville, but plan to stay with their AW family. But they need to be replaced for their Meals on Wheels schedule going forward.
AWRC GREEN THUMB GARDEN:
Our April 20th in-person meeting will be held at the Parkland Community Library. It will be followed by a tour of the AW Gardens. Bring your family and friends.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Sue Weber is happy that they have a houseful in Hilton Head with Cindy & Chris Hornaman, Sally & Jerry Frank and Dee & Gary Rohrbach there.
Gary Englehardt is pleased to report that they now have signed up the first student to attend the STEM YEA event.
ALSO, they have received a $5,000 donation from Shift4.
Bill Palmer is happy that Bob Nagle at 90 years old still is doing well.
Ralph Witcher is happy that their son Seth has booked 5 jobs in the West Chester area since they moved there.
R.Y.L.A CAMP NEIDIG:
Our 2022 Camp Neidig Youth Leadership Program will be held June 17th- June 20th at Camp Manatawny. AW Rotarians are needed to volunteer for this weekend.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday March 23 IN PERSON at Madeline’s starting at 7:30 A.M. Come early and chat. Our program will be Ben Long, Owner Lehigh Valley Water Systems, giving his Classification Talk.
PROGRAM:
Program Chair, Ralph Witcher, introduced Patrick Cicero, Pennsylvania State Consumer Advocate Office & Utility Assistance.
Patrick M. Cicero, Esquire was appointed the Acting Consumer Advocate by Attorney General Josh Shapiro on December 13, 2021 pending confirmation by the Pennsylvania Senate. The Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) is a state agency that represents the interests of Pennsylvania utility consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts. The OCA was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1976 and is an independent office within the Office of Attorney General.
Immediately prior to his appointment, Patrick served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc., (PLAN, Inc.) where he provided strategic leadership and direction to PLAN, Inc.’s activities and oversaw the advocacy, fundraising, and management of the coordinated network of independent legal aid organizations that deliver civil legal aid to low-income Pennsylvanians and victims of domestic violence.
Prior to his role at PLAN, Inc., Patrick was the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP), a specialized legal aid office that provides advocacy, training, and representation on energy and utility matters affecting low-income Pennsylvanians. Patrick worked at PULP for 9 years. Patrick also worked as a staff attorney for 5 years at MidPenn Legal Services in Harrisburg where he led their consumer unit and focused on consumer and housing issues, and served as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Sylvia H. Rambo, United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania for 3.5 years.
Patrick is an adjunct professor at Messiah University. He received his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2002, and his B.A. from Messiah College (now University) in 1999. Patrick lives in Mechanicsburg with his wife Helena, their two children, and his in-laws.
Patrick thanked us for the invitation today. He said he really enjoyed the meeting this morning.
The Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) is responsible for protecting the interests of Pennsylvania utility consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), Federal Regulatory Agencies, and State and Federal Courts. The OCA helps Pennsylvania citizens with their questions or concerns involving their electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water or wastewater services.
Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA):
Created by the General Assembly in 1976
Independent State Agency administratively housed within the Office of Attorney General
Consumer Advocate is appointed by Attorney General subject to confirmation by Pennsylvania Senate
Represent the interests of utility consumers before the Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal agencies, and state and federal courts
Types of Utility Service include Electric Natural Gas, Water and wastewater, and Landline Telephone. -- not too many these days.
How They Accomplish their Mission?
Represent utility consumers before state and federal regulatory agencies and courts
- Overall interests of utility consumers
- Residential, including low-income consumers in matters that affect specific customer classes differently
Assist individual consumers with questions or complaints regarding their public utility service
Initiate complaints on behalf of all consumers in matters pertaining to a specific issues
Utility Insecurity
Exacerbates negative health outcomes
Exposure to unhealthy/unsafe temperatures
Inability to properly sanitize
Lack of clean drinking water
Interrupts family unity, children often removed from home
Hinders child learning and development
Long-term impact on consumer credit
Liens (municipal utilities) encumber property, risk of foreclosure
Catalyst for eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness
Difficulty relocating, ineligibility for public or private housing
Individual Complaints
The OCA will answer consumer questions, contact utility and advocate for consumers with individual utility companies.
The OCA acts as a liaison between the consumer and the utility to resolve:
Billing concerns
Quality of service
Customer Assistance Programs
Main extensions
LIHEAP: 2021/2022 Program Year
Open through May 6, 2022
Cash Grant
Minimum $500 / Maximum $1500
Eligibility:
Pennsylvania resident with income at/below 150% FPL
Home heating responsibility
Crisis Grant
Minimum $25 / Maximum $1200
Eligibility same as Cash Grant, PLUS Imminent Home Heating Emergency
Crisis Interface
Repair/replace broken or inoperable heating system or replace/repair service line.
Primary heating system must be operational within the last 2 years.
OTHER ISSUES DISCUSSED:
Weatherization Assistance Program
Other Assistance Programs
Contact information.
Q & A
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto “One profits most who serves
best.”, rang the bell and adjourned the meeting.
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