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Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, September 23, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 SECTION B AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST? COUNTY MOVES TO ADDRESS HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK Supervisor Barger Directs Public Health to Conduct Prevention Effort After my father suffered a head injury from a motorcycle accident when I was 17 years old, I soon found myself face to face with an “ambulance chaser.” I had no idea what an ambulance chaser was, how they made their money or that signing their contract entitled them to a large percentage of my father’s insurance claim settlement. In the past 30 years, having adjusted claims for over 25 different insurance companies, I saw similar deceit and fraud in my industry. This compelled me to want to help others avoid the pitfalls of contractor and insurance scams. I now make it my personal commitment to inform and educate others. Most people are unaware of the strategic and shady antics of Public Adjusters (ie. ambulance chasers), and their contractors who prey on the misfortunate at a time when they feel overwhelmed and are vulnerable. They show up after devastating and catastrophic events like Hurricane Harvey, local wildfires and earthquakes. They listen in on 911 scanner radios, showing up at your home in droves after a fire is reported to 911 or even after local media coverage reports on property damage. Public Adjusters are polished sales people who are desperate to gain your confidence and trust because their fee can be as high as 40% of your insurance claim settlement, despite them telling you there is no cost for their services. They start by planting a seed of fear that your insurance company won’t be fair in settling your claim and that you need someone with their expertise on your side. Offering bribes with envelopes of cash, paying for hotel expenses or paying for your family to go on vacation are also common tactics. Because they don’t want your insurance company to warn you, they offer to report your claim for you. They wait 3 days to do so until the time in which their contract becomes legally binding. To learn more about Public Adjusters, please visit our website at www.TrustSOS.Solutions/ Home-Help and read our blog article “Is 911 Costing You Money?”. Jenee’ Child is a local resident of Sierra Madre and CEO of SOS Solutions, Inc., which offers free help to home and building owners looking to hire reputable and trusted contractors for home remodel projects; after emergency damage from plumbing leaks, water or fire damage occur and for removal of mold, asbestos or lead. LOS ANGELES COUNTY — On a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors, the Department of Public Health will begin implementation of a Hepatitis A prevention and response action plan as part of a greater effort to avert a Hepatitis A outbreak similar to what has occurred in San Diego County. In a report before the Board today, the Department of Public Health confirmed three cases of Hepatitis A occurring in persons who acquired the infection in San Diego. Following the first two cases, a Health Advisory was issued through the Los Angeles Health Alert Network (LAHAN) describing the situation and providing prevention strategies. “It is critical that the County and the Department of Public Health work proactively to educate the public about prevention and prepare for a potential outbreak,” Supervisor Barger stated. “In addition to the vital public health concerns, this situation highlights the continued need to provide stable housing for the homeless who are at the highest risk of contracting Hepatitis A.” Barger further requested that the Department engage food truck commissaries and street based food vendors as part of this effort and list on its website the pharmacies that offer vaccinations. A viral infection of the liver, Hepatitis A is transmitted by close personal and fecal exposure, often through food or water. Outbreaks have occurred when a food handler who has poor hygiene contaminates food. Currently, a Hepatitis A outbreak is ongoing in San Diego County and Santa Cruz, with most cases occurring among homeless and drug using populations. The virus was also identified in a case involving a food handler in Lancaster and outreach is ongoing to inform patrons of the need to be vaccinated. Following exposure, vaccination or immunoglobulin given within two weeks prevents illness. GOLD LINE EXPANSION: Statement by Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority Board Chairman, Doug Tessitor The recent motion by Metro Directors Solis, Barger, Najarian and Fasana to study the Claremont Metrolink station and system is well- timed and important. Knowing the results of the Claremont-specific analysis in the next few months will afford appropriate time to build consensus for any recommended changes and receive necessary approvals in advance of the procurement package being finalized for the Foothill Gold Line's Alignment design-build contract. Any changes to the Claremont Metrolink station or track system directly impact the Foothill Gold Line project, which includes relocating the Claremont Metrolink station and tracks, and building a large shared parking structure, as part of the $1.4 billion project. In order to integrate any changes to the Metrolink system that might be recommended and approved into the Foothill Gold Line project - without costing taxpayers money in change-orders - the information must be included in the procurement package that will be provided to the bidding teams early next year. Having that information in the next few months will allow the Construction Authority the time we need to incorporate any approved changes into the package. The Metro Directors understand that the Construction Authority is on schedule to break ground on the Foothill Gold Line from Glendora to Montclair later this year. While the first contract to be awarded, for utility relocation, will not be impacted by the results of the Claremont Metrolink station analysis, the Alignment design-build contract will. The process to hire the Alignment design-builder will begin in October 2017. The time available to make big changes to the project without significant cost ramifications is quickly coming to a close. We thank them for their leadership on this issue. Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com | ||||||||||||||||||||