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Monday, November 9, 2009

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ASK THE ADVOCATE

Every Monday through Friday, The Advocate will answer questions from its readers. One question will be answered per day. Send questions to asktheadvocate@theadvocate.com.

Monday, November 9, 2009
Q: Is there any provision in Mayor Holden’s big bond proposal for hiring local or Louisiana workers? Will the jobs go to out-of-state workers?
A: Mike Futrell, chief administrative officer for Mayor Kip Holden, was on Naval Reserve duty, but forwarded this response through administration spokesman Scott Dyer. Futrell said the permanent jobs created by the bond issue, such as those associated with the proposed Alive riverfront attraction, would go to local workers.
He said the bond issue would also create numerous temporary construction jobs. By law, construction projects must be awarded to the low bidder, regardless of whether they are from Louisiana or out of state, he said, but added that the City-Parish plans to encourage the companies that win the construction contracts to make a good-faith effort to hire local workers when possible.

Friday, November 6, 2009
Q: A program that kicks in this fall will offer consumers cash to help them buy new appliances. The federal government has set aside $300 million for the program as part of the economic stimulus plan. Each state will write its own rules for doling out the rebates. The state plans will be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Energy starting in late October. Which department is in charge of this money in Louisiana, what are the details and when should the money become available?
A: The program will be handled by the energy office in the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. The state has made its initial application for about $4 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. The federal deadline for the state Energy Star Rebate program plan is Oct. 15. Money is expected to start flowing to consumers by November. The state will be initiating a statewide marketing and promotion campaign once the program is approved and guidelines are finalized. Unlike the “cash for clunkers” car replacement program, consumers will not have to turn in their old appliances. The rebate checks will be issued to cover everything from more energy efficient refrigerators and dishwashers to furnaces and air conditioners.

Those interested in the program can contact the energy office of the Department of Natural Resources at (225) 342-1399 or visit the department’s Web site at http://www.dnr.louisiana.gov and click on the 2009 Economic Stimulus Act Review section on the right hand side.

Thursday, November 5, 2009
Q: What are the minimum requirements to qualify for the free school lunch program? What are the penalties for falsifying an application for this program?
A: Free meals are based on the number of people in the household plus the combined gross income of all family members, according to information provided by Nadine L. Mann, Child Nutrition Program, Director of Operations East Baton Rouge Parish School System.

For example: A child in a family with a total of two people living in the household where there is a total gross monthly income of $1,579 or less is eligible for free meals.

On the other end of the spectrum, children in a family of eight where there is a total gross monthly income of $ 4,010 or less, are also eligible for free meals. Foster children who are a ward of the state are considered a household of one and any money they receive from the state is the only income counted for that child’s meal benefits determination.

The eligibility scale is a sliding scale and benefits are determined based on household size and total gross income of all household members. School breakfast meals are available to all children attending EBR schools, free of charge, she said.

All application forms for meal benefits must be signed by an adult who certifies the following: “I certify (promise) that all information on this application is true and that all income is reported. I understand that the school will get Federal funds based on the information I give. I understand that school officials may verify (check) the information. I understand that if I purposely give false information, my children may lose meal benefits, and I may be prosecuted.”

Each Oct. 1, The East Baton Rouge Parish School System verifies a percentage of applications processed. Parents are required to submit proof of income and household member’s Social Security number for each person listed on the application form that was submitted.

Applications are then re-evaluated based on the hard copies of check stubs, tax forms or other income statements to prove the gross family income. Failure to provide the documentation requested will result in benefits being terminated, Mann said.

A public release statement explaining the federally funded meal program was published in The Advocate’s classified section of the newspaper Aug. 8. It is also available for viewing in the Child Nutrition Program office at 3000 N. Sherwood Forest Drive.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Q: How does DEQ dispose of mercury after it is collected at the Household Hazardous Materials Collection event? Isn’t this material burned in the incinerator at Dow Chemical? Wouldn’t this release the mercury to the atmosphere?
A: Rodney Mallett, press secretary for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, said Dow Chemical isn’t handling the mercury at the Baton Rouge Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day.

Instead, the mercury and mercury-containing devices are collected at a separate stop at the event and handled by Lamp Environmental Industries Inc. of Hammond, he said.

Dow Chemical closed its incinerator, Mallett said.

Larry Fannaly, vice president of sales and operations with Lamp Environmental Industries Inc. said the company collects mercury and sends it on to distillers for recycling. “Nothing goes into a landfill or incinerator,” he said.

In addition to participating in household hazardous waste collection events, residents can also drop off mercury-containing light bulbs at the facility in Hammond at no charge, Fannaly said. The facility at 46257 Morris Road is generally open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fannaly said, but it’s best for people to call (800) 309-9908 first to make sure.

The next Baton Rouge Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium. For more information, visit http://www.brgov.com/recycle.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Q: I’ve got a big screen projection television that no longer works. Is there somewhere, other than a garbage dump, to dispose of this? My garbage company will not pick it up. I would donate it to charity if it was in working condition.
A: Nancy Jo Craig, executive director of the Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council, said the only place she knew of locally is Best Buy.

Scott Morris, senior manager of public relations with Best Buy, said there are some televisions that can be recycled at Best Buy stores under these conditions:
If the television is under 32 inches in size, it can be dropped off at any Best Buy store for a $10 fee. The person will then get a $10 gift card in return.
If the television is 32 inches or larger and the person is purchasing a new television, the delivery service will pick up the old television and remove and recycle it for free.
If the television is larger than 32 inches and the person is not purchasing a new television, the customer can schedule a pickup through their local Best Buy store, and this runs $100.

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