Maple Ridge: Recently AMHRO was invited to visit Maple Ridge near Chardon where they viewed issues that needed to be addressed. The majority of the residents had issues they wanted someone to hear and some advice was given. Before closing, we encouraged them to organize their own home owners association with officers (president, vice president, secretary and treasurer) and to establish their own by-laws. Without even asking, there were those who recognized the value of a membership to AMHRO and completed an application for membership.
Recently: AMHRO was contacted by two different organizations desiring to work with us. They are: Ohio Employees Ownership Conference and Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative. We will keep you posted on this. Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative: Currently, MVOC works with over sixty churches, schools, neighborhood groups, youth organizations, non-profits, the business community, and labor unions in the Youngstown and Warren area to address issues such as vacant properties, health equity, federal policy change for smaller industrial communities and other quality of life issues impacting the Mahoning Valley. They mainly work in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. Ohio Employee Ownership Conference: Two AMHRO Officers attended their conference at the Akron Hilton Hotel in April. They have been very instrumental in helping companies form cooperatives. There are many various kinds of cooperatives with purposes and principles. Canada is 40% cooperatives, Singapore is 50% and Quebec is 70% while US is 25% Lake County: AMHRO was called by a community owner to request a meeting with himself, his attorney and AMHRO to discuss issues. In a meeting with 60 residents in attendance, the following were there: Bill and Martha Geniella, Frank Pojman and Pat Patterson (Columbia Park) and Mike Piepsny (Cleveland Tenants Organization). They (89 families) faced an increase of $100 per month starting in July. That is unconscionable! Result? The residents will put their rent money in a Rent Deposit. The residents thanked AMHRO, OMHA and their attorney and each one who helped them. Across America they know of AMHRO: On our web site is a form for guests to contact AMHRO about anything. In April, a resident from California completed the form about an issue she had. AMHRO returned the call with some suggestions they could follow in California. Consumer Action: The 2010 Consumer Action Handbook is a very good book (170 page) that is free for the asking. Contents include: Contact information of many companies, advice on making wise purchases of healthcare, cars, banking, internet, investing, home shopping, travel, will, funerals, filing a complaint, etc. You may order it by going to www.consumeraction.gov Click on Order Book and complete shipping instruction or mailing to: U.S. General Services Administration, Offife of Citizen Services and Communications, Fedreal Citizen Information Center, 1800 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20405 Moving into the 21st Century: In the last Residents’ Advisor was an article written by Brenda Kocevar. The Residents’ Advisor is emailed to many across the United States including the Manufactured Home Owners Association of America Officers. They called Brenda requesting permission to print her article in their next newsletter. Now, Brenda is famous. Which has less Salt? Potato Chips or eggs? That’s why you may be astonished to learn that Aunt Jemima’s Original Pancake Mix has more salt per serving than Wise Potato Chips! If you think you’re eating chicken you’re eating is low sodium, think again. You may be surprised to learn that many cuts of uncooked poultry contain added sodium. To identify those cuts, check the label for these words: “contains a solution of water, salt and sodium phosphate” quoted from Consumer Reports on Health Integrity: If we must inspect new homes with their manual and we all know the reasons why, because they were all engineered different, then why can’t we do the same for used homes and create a little integrity for ourselves? Quoted from The Journal At last they realize a problem that some may have. Be smart with your money: You have worked too hard to earn your money to waste it on questionable purchases. Would you buy a car without verifying that it has a motor that runs, four wheels that do not have flat tires or a car payment you can afford in your budget? Who in their right mind would do this? Yet, there are those who have purchased homes without verifying the functioning of appliances, heating or cooling units. Some did not have water, electricity or sewers functioning properly. What a waste of money! Cancer: Probably every person knows someone who has had cancer or knows someone who does. We are told that there are over 100 types of cancer. Most, we understand, are treatable if they are diagnosed in the early stages. To ignore treatment is not an option. We provide the following just in case someone needs it or wants to save it for the future. Cancer Information American Cancer Society 1-800/227-2345 www.cancer.org National Cancer Institute 1-800/422-6237 www.cancer.gov National Coalition of Cancer Survivorship 1-888/650-9127 www.canceradvocacy.org National Women’s Health Resource Center 1-877/622-7937 www.healthywomen.org Treatment Information. National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1-215/690-0300 www.nccn.org Radiation Treatment Answers 1-800/962-7876 www.rtanswers.org Other Useful Information National Alliance for Caring info@caregiving.org www.caregiving.org Caring Bridge 1-615/789-2300 www.caringbridge.org Cancer Survivors www.csn.cancer.org Jim Demitrus: Jim is an AMHRO Board Member also serves as a commissioner on the Ohio Manufactured Home Commission (OMHC). He and his wife, Kathie, serve as AMHRO’s representative to MHOAA’s Midwestern Alliance monthly meeting. Following is part of a typical day for Jim. I just completed a 2 PM conference call with BMV sub-committee. First Janet asked Tim Williams about status of SB 186? Tim is still trying to set a meeting with senate committee Chairman Sietz. According to their schedule the Senate may be in session up to June 9th, if needed! Then they will be off until after the election. First BMV(Bureau of Motor Vehicle) issue; BMV will continue inspections, checking VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on used houses coming into Ohio for the near future until they or OMHC get legislation to transfer inspection to the Commission. We (the OMHC) need to clarify why and who should verify the VIN. Presently certain car dealers are certified to check the VIN. The problem is that these dealers are not knowledgeable enough to know other criteria such as thermal zone, roof snow load and wind resistant construction required in Ohio. We also need to protect the public and businesses from stolen houses being sold in the state. Another issue is where will the inspections take place? Solving who, what and where requires a public discussion. This subject will be part of our (OMHC) next meeting on May 19th. I have other concerns besides houses of unknown construction and legal status. What if houses with chemical or mold contamination similar to some FEMA houses, get into the state? That could kill the used H (Manufactured Home) market and put a cloud over new home sales, not to speak of the danger to the home's inhabitants. Besides we have enough problems getting mortgages now without another FEMA scare. Lastly, the issue of exclusive inspection rights to for city or county building inspectors and health departments will be on the agenda in May. A park in southern Ohio used a 3rd party inspector, cost $400. The local building inspector was supposedly given exclusive inspection rights, the cost of the service jumped to $800! A commissioner spoke up saying that we must protect the public from this price gouging. More discussion coming. Tonight, on our Midwestern Conference Call, Janet and Walter (of Michigan) propose that building inspectors can have rights for MH'ing (Manufacturing Housing) on private land only in their own county. Health Departments have rights only for parks in their own county. 3rd party inspectors can inspect anywhere in Ohio. (Another commissioner and I support this position). Local governments have other priorities to consider when funding their building and health departments and the commission can't be sure we figure into their plans. I wanted you to know what happened today in my life. Jim D. Tests and Numbers: Some numbers you can forget (your age, for one) but others you need to know and control right away. These are the ones you should know and optimum level. Insert yours in the ___space. ____ Blood Pressure (115 over 75) ____ Waist Size (less than half your height) ____ LDL Level (under 100) ____ Fasting Blood Sugar (Under 95) ____ Vitamin D Blood Level ideally, Over 50 ng/1) ____ HDL Level (Over 45) ____ TSH (Thyroid-stimulating-hormone) (Under 2.5mIU/L) Do you need to make changes? If so, do it. You Could Be Eligible for a $250 Rebate: This Year to Help with your Medicare Drug Costs Presented by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services What’s Next? Coming in 2011 If you reach the coverage gap in 2011, you will get a 50% discount on your brand name prescription drugs at the time you buy them, unless you are already getting Medicare Extra Help. Stay tuned for more information from Medicare. Help us spread the word about this important benefit and help stop scams against seniors Pass this brochure along to your friends, neighbors and family so they know the facts about this important program. Remember—there are no forms to fill out to receive this benefit once you qualify for it. Medicare will automatically send a check that’s made out to you. You don’t need to provide any personal information like your Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers to get the rebate check. Don’t give your personal information to anyone who calls you about the $250 rebate check. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report anyone who does this. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Go to WWW.stopmedicarefraud.gov to learn more about how Medicare is working with law enforcement to stop scams against seniors. Have other questions about the $250 rebate check or the Affordable Care Act and Medicare? Please refer to the brochure Medicare and the New Health Care Law—What it Means for You that Medicare has sent you. You can also visit www.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. CMS Product No. 11464 May 2010 The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this year contains some important benefits for Medicare recipients. If you have Medicare prescription drug coverage, and aren’t already getting Medicare Extra Help, Medicare will automatically send you a tax free, one-time $250 rebate check after you reach the coverage gap (also called the “donut hole”) in 2010. This rebate is the first step toward closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap. What is the coverage gap and how will I know if I’ve reached it? Most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap. This means that after you and your plan have spent a certain amount of money for covered drugs, you have to pay all costs out-of-pocket for your drugs (up to a limit). The Explanation of Benefits notice, which your drug plan mails to you each month when you fill a prescription, will tell you how much you’ve spent on covered drugs and whether you’ve entered the coverage gap. Will I need to do anything to get this rebate check? No. There are no forms to fill out. Medicare will automatically send a check that’s made out to you. You don’t need to provide any personal information like your Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers to get the rebate check. Don’t give your personal information to anyone who calls you about the $250 rebate check. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report anyone who does this. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. When will I get the rebate check? If you reach the coverage gap this year and enter the Part D “donut hole”, you will receive a one-time $250 rebate check if you are not already receiving Medicare Extra Help. These checks will begin to get mailed to beneficiaries starting in mid-June. Checks will be mailed monthly throughout the year as beneficiaries enter the coverage gap. However, this is a one-time benefit and if you qualify, you will only receive one check after you reach the coverage gap. Will I have to pay taxes on this rebate check? No. You don’t have to pay taxes on your $250 rebate check. It is tax free. What if I don’t get the rebate check when I should? If you hit the donut hole after the program has begun, you should expect to receive your check within 45 days. Your rebate may be delayed if Medicare doesn’t have information from your Medicare drug plan showing that you reached the coverage gap in time to include you in the next mailing. You should call your Medicare drug plan to make sure all of your information has been sent to Medicare. If you don’t get your rebate check, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. Individuals receiving Medicare Extra Help will not receive a rebate check. You can also check to make sure Social Security has your correct home address. Call 1-800-772-1213 or your local Social Security office. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. Tests you need: Colonoscopy: At age 50 and then once every 10 years. Cervical: (Women ) Every years. PSA: (Men) Every year (Should be under 4 ng/ml). Mammogram: (Women) Every year after age 50. Bone Density: (Women) Around menopause and then every 5 years after. Stress Test: After age 50 The above Tests and Numbers and Tests you need are quoted from AARP Magazine May/June 2010 and the famous Dr. Oz. as seen on TV. Consumer Financing is Job Number One for the Industry: (Yes, that is the title of an article in a publication AMHRO receives). “Job number one for the industry must be to ensure the implementation --- as quickly as possible – of laws already on the books that offer new and expanded sources of consumer financing.” Quoted from The Journal At last they realize to sell their homes and keep their factories open financing must be more attainable than it has been in the past. Since pre-owned homes comprise about 80% of all sales in their industry, improved financing would help those who need to sell or buy their homes. Your Officers are: Bill Geniella, President Russ McPherson, Vice President Lois McPherson, Secretary Kathie Demitrus, Treasurer Brenda Kocavar, Board Member Jim Demitrus, Board Member AMHRO By-laws Calls for an Election of Officers Every Two Years This year will be the election of a president and secretary. Please designate your choice below and mail to the AMHRO Secretary by July 1, 2010 Brenda Kocevar, 7 Friendship, Olmsted Twp., OH 44138 My Nominee for President is: __________________________________ My Nominee for Secretary is: __________________________________ Membership Application, Mail to: 8974 Wood Thrush Dr., Streetsboro, OH 44241 __________$25 _________ $15 __________ This is the best I can do at this time. Membership fee good through December 31, 2010 Check Number _____ Donation amount to AMHRO________ Total Amount Submitted _______________ Name ________________________Address ________________________________ City ____________________________County ____________________Zip ________ Phone (____) ____________________E-mail ________________________________ Park Name ____________________________Number of Lots in Your Park _______ Other: Name of Homeowner’s Association _________________________________ My mailing address is different than listed above. It is as follows: Thank you for your membership and your donations to AMHRO. AMHRO is the only advocate for manufactured housing in Ohio. AMHRO Annual Meeting Registration Form I plan to attend the Annual Meeting at the North Olmsted, Ohio Library September 18, 2010 Name _____________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City_______________________________________________ State and Zip _______________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________ Signature __________________________________________ Mail to: Brenda Kocevar, 7 Friendship, Olmsted Twp., OH 44138 By September 1, 2010
Nominees for President and Secretary: A nominee is someone that is qualified and desires to serve in that capacity. They will be contacted to confirm this. We need you to give serious consideration to whom you would like to serve in these very important positions.