Carney Fights for Seniors Dignity

July 28
Quality home care for elderly pushed

My Life, My Choice touted as mentally healthy for seniors, cheaper than nursing homes.

SHERRY LONG slong@timesleader.com

Pearl Novak used her wagon to haul materials for her parents as they were constructing their home on Bear Creek Boulevard when she was 6 years old.

Pearl Novak, 75, who lives alone in the home she grew up in, says the elderly should be allowed to stay in their homes to get care.

FRED ADAMS/THE TIMES LEADER

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Now at 75, she moves around a little bit slower these days than when she was younger, but still lives in the home her parents built by hand and doesn’t want to be forced out by the government.

She’s just one of a growing number of seniors in the grass-roots campaign of My Life, My Choice PA Seniors for Homecare across the state advocating for the creation of a state commission to oversee quality home care.

“It’s my life. I should have a choice. Not everybody has to go to a nursing home,” Novak said.

“I live alone and I know they say people who live alone are depressed,” she said. “I am happy the way I am. I don’t need anybody. This is my rock. I spent my whole life working on this place.”

The commission would oversee a work-force registry to help the elderly find quality trained home care personnel, said Hannah Sassaman, spokesperson for My Life, My Choice.

If a caregiver called in sick for work, the senior could call the commission to request another home care worker be sent out.

Home care workers, who spend a few hours a day with the patients, don’t provide medical care, but help seniors with everyday needs – such as preparing meals, getting the mail and taking out the trash.

Commission supporters said the program would not only help seniors stay in their home, but it would also benefit the government because it is cheaper for a senior to stay in their home receiving home care rather than moving into a nursing home.

It costs, on average, $47,769 to care for a person in a nursing home facility, but that same person could receive home care for $15,405 a year, according to data My Life, My Choice received from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Data and the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid. In many cases, costs for long-term home care expenses would be covered by Medicaid or private insurance, Sassaman said.

“Even though 92 percent of Pennsylvanians want to stay in their homes to receive care, more than 80 percent of Pennsylvania’s senior care dollars are spent in nursing homes,” Sassaman said.

Pittston native Marie Manganiello gets angry when she learns that the elderly are forced into nursing homes when they would rather continue to live in their homes.

When a person is forced out of their home, it can have an adverse impact on their mental status.

“Just because you need nursing care doesn’t mean you’re senile and can’t make decisions,” Manganiello said. “When you remove choices from seniors, their quality of life is reduced. It takes away their ability to control their life and the manner in which the decisions are made relative to their life.”

Democrat U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, of Dimock Township, introduced the Caregiver Tax Relief Act of 2008 earlier this month.

If passed, the bill would allow caregivers who take care of people with long-term care needs to receive a $2,500 tax credit.

“It is designed for families taking care of loved ones. Congressman Carney believes the way we take care of our seniors says a lot about us as a community,” said Carney’s Communications Director Rebecca Gale.

Town hall meetings held across the state earlier this year will help the Department of Aging develop a “state plan on aging,” which it is required to do every four years by state and federal law.

The plan is expected to be unveiled by the department’s Web site at the end of August.

Kay Ertle Speaks at YWCA Ceremony

YWCA opens, refills 80-year-old cornerstone

By ANNA TELATOVICH - atelatovich@sungazette.com

POSTED: July 23, 2008

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Article Photos

Diane Glenwright, left, YWCA executive director, and Joanne Kay, president of the YWCA board of directors, remove the lid from the building cornerstone that was closed in 1928. The box included an American flag, YWCA documents, photographs and newspapers from July 22, 1928.';" style="border-color: rgb(0, 102, 255);" align="absbottom" border="1" vspace="2"> The contents of the cornerstone were put on display for everyone to see. The items pictured here include an American flag, a copy of the then-named Gazette and Bulletin dated July 22, the Grit newspaper, a family Bible and a photo of the YWCA’s founders.';" style="border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" align="absbottom" border="1" vspace="2">

DOUG MINIER/Sun-Gazette
Diane Glenwright, left, YWCA executive director, and Joanne Kay, president of the YWCA board of directors, remove the lid from the building cornerstone that was closed in 1928. The box included an American flag, YWCA documents, photographs and newspapers from July 22, 1928.

"It's not dust."

So were the first words YWCA Executive Director Diane Glenwright said Tuesday upon opening the building's 1928 cornerstone. The lid was removed from the copper box 80 years to the day after the cornerstone was laid at 815 W. Fourth St.

Among the contents were an American flag with 48 stars, a photograph of the 1928 directors, metal plate negatives, an annual report, YWCA brochures bearing the campaign slogan "Do for our girls what we've done for our boys," two local newspapers from July 22, 1928, and a family Bible donated by Martha E. Clark, who gave the last $50,000 toward the building's construction.

"I was so scared it was just ashes," Glenwright later said of the box's contents.

Historic photographs lined the walls and rooms of the majestic building: men in suits and women in furs, women performing a synchronized swimming routine, girls performing plays and playing outdoors.

Bearing witness to Tuesday's events were descendants of the original board of directors and the 1927-1928 building committee.

"By opening the cornerstone today, we will gain some insight into the challenges faced by the organization at that time," said Kay Ertel, trustee and director emeritus. "The ladies who championed the cause and the gentlemen assisting them are respected and admired for the strong foundation for our building, our programs and our 115-year-old organization."

The YWCA here formed in 1893 before building its own facility "to help women entering the work force have a place to go to relax and recreate."

Ertel, the event's main speaker, used the anniversary event to talk about YWCA's rich history of providing for women.

In 1912, the Girl Scouts formally organized, sponsored by the YWCA. In 1913, the association opened a nursery for working mothers, Williamsport's first cafeteria and coordinated home visiting nurse efforts.

The Industrial Girls and Business & Professional Women clubs were initiated by the YWCA and, in 1926, it opened the first employment bureau for women here.

Clubs and classes such as stenography and sewing are a rich part of the YWCA past. "And I can't forget to mention the popular Friday night dances," Ertel said.

A wise and "strong leadership" terminated programs when they were no longer needed or useful, Ertel added, allowing the YWCA to evolve with the times.

Wise Options, the county's domestic violence center, opened in 1977. While it struggled for acceptance in the community in the early years, "today it is a strong, respected asset to our area and a godsend to all the men, women and children who suffer from abuse and violence," Ertel said.

The warm water therapeutic pool began providing classes for the disabled in the 1980s. Court Appointed Special Advocates and Liberty House, a homeless shelter for women and children, "have been embraced by the community with faith and support" in the new millennium.

In 115 years, some things have changed for the YWCA and others have remained the same, Glenwright said.

"We're still meeting the community needs and living up to our mission," she said.

The YWCA mission has always been the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women.

"We have kept pace with the changing needs," Glenwright said.

In it's early years, the four-story center was used by visitors from across America and from other countries during their stay in the area. Now, Glenwright said, the association is "dealing with a lot of social issues."

The YWCA is filling another cornerstone for future generations to discover. In it will be an American Flag, a Lycoming County United Way flag, 2008 stamps and coins, a Heavenly Handbag made by Liberty House, the rotunda poem, the 2009 Capital Campaign Case Study, a list of the 2008 Board of Directors and the committee members, YWCA video, a corner stone bookmark, a newsletter, Tuesday's newspaper, this month's Mountain Home edition and annual reports.

Glenwright said those interested in touring the facility may contact Janel Gordner at 322-4637, Ext. 159.

Verna Caruso in the Times of London

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article2788907.ece?pgnum=5

It's amusing that about half the bloggers and columnists have been saying "Shame on those Mean Men for Bullying Hillary" and the other half are saying "She's in Politics and All's Fair". I must say I agree with the latter.

It would be foolish of Senator Clinton's opponents to keep mollycoddling her. If they have a bone to pick, go for it! They won't make any points by opening all the doors for her. Conversely, the only way she's going to win this election (if she does) and, more importantly, the one to come is to start fielding some of the hardballs. She needs to exercise her ability to hit back so she doesn't lose it.

If she can't defend herself among her own, she certainly won't be able to do it against the Swift Boating, Karl Rove types who are just waiting to start pounding her.

We need all the candidates to defend their positions and to call out the others who aren't being straight with us so that we can make an informed choice. Hillary can take care of herself.

Verna Caruso, Williamsport, PA

DailyItem.com: Carney may be best hope for tolling solution

Published July 16, 2008 12:00 am - The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's warning Tuesday was veiled but hard to miss, all the same. Most commuters will pay if tolls are added to Interstate 80.

Carney may be best hope for tolling solution

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's warning Tuesday was veiled but hard to miss, all the same. Most commuters will pay if tolls are added to Interstate 80.

The turnpike commission cheerily notes that one-third of commuters could use the interstate without paying a toll because motorists will only be billed after they have traveled through more than one toll booth. The turnpike commission does not plan to tell taxpayers where those booths will be until next month. Pardon the math, but the turnpike commission's one-third empty glass means two-thirds of commuters will be impacted. This comes after months of reassurances that the charm of tolling the interstate is that it will collect revenue from out-of-state travelers.

Central Susquehanna Valley residents ought to recognize that tolls on the interstate remains a distinct possibility -- one that will impact the region's economy and the pocketbooks of individual motorists.

The tolling plan remains one of two competing proposals to finance improvements to the state's transportation infrastructure. Tolling the interstate is preferred by lawmakers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh because it avoids the need to reform the patronage-laden turnpike commission and will not require significant toll hikes in those regions.

In a Harrisburg power struggle between those representing the metropolitan regions and those from rural Pennsylvania, the prospects for a successful outcome might be bleak. Earlier this month, the state House transportation committee declined to even bring the turnpike lease up for vote. "There is no realistic scenario under which (the lease) deal will happen," said state Rep. Joseph Markosek, an Allegheny County representative who chairs the transportation committee.

Central Susquehanna Valley residents may be best-served seeking the intervention of the federal government. The region's representative, Congressman Chris Carney, is a freshman lawmaker but he sits on the House transportation committee and is a member of the majority party. If the Democrats want Carney to retain his seat in the conservative 10th District, shooting down the toll plan might be the type of muscle-flexing that makes the difference.

Ellen Tinsman Takes Hate Mongers to Task

Ellen Tinsman Takes Hate Mongers to Task in the Sun Gazette
http://culogin.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/507898.html

Double standard II?

POSTED: March 30, 2008

Fulminations in the press and by various letters writers to this newspaper against the Rev. Jeremiah Wright somehow neglect to mention the equally inflammatory and hate-filled remarks from white conservative preachers, the ones who have endorsed John McCain.

McCain sought out the endorsement of televangelist John Hagee, and appears on stage with him. Pastor Hagee has characterized the Catholic Church as “The Great Whore” and has stated that Catholics worship the anti-Christ. And, despite his professed love for Israel, he has repeatedly promoted nuclear war between Iran and America/Israel, with an eye to the destruction of Israel in an Armageddon, paving the way for the Christian Rapture, which would leave Jews behind to be destroyed.

Pastor Hagee wrote in 2006 that Jews brought anti-semitism and the Holocaust upon themselves. He also stated that Hurricane Katrina was God’s way of punishing sinful New Orleans.

The Rev. Rod Parsley, who endorses McCain, preaches that the United States was founded to destroy Islam—not Islamic terrorists, but the entire religion. And both McCain endorsers Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell stated that 9/11 was God’s punishment for a sinful United States just two days after that terrible event.

McCain has distanced himself from the more hateful words these white evangelical preachers have uttered, just as Senator Obama has distanced himself from those of Rev. Wright. Unlike Obama, McCain has kept these people on his campaign as “spiritual advisors.”

There seems to be a double standard here – that it is perfectly fine for conservative white preachers to say hateful things, but not when black preachers utter similar inflammatory statements.

My hope is that sensible people everywhere will judge candidates by their own words, and not those of the various religious people who are associated with them.

Ellen Tinsman

Trout Run

Chris Carney seek tax breaks for caregivers

July 11
Pa. reps seek tax break for caregiver

Congressmen’s bill would create $2,500 annual credit for relatives’ long-term care.

ANDREW M. SEDER aseder@timesleader.com

Two Pennsylvania congressmen have teamed up to introduce legislation aimed at creating a $2,500 annual tax credit for those giving long-term care to relatives or paying someone else to.

With the country’s residents living longer and health care costs climbing, the burden of caring for many seniors falls on their children, who often work and raise a family of their own.

U.S. Reps. Chris Carney, D-Dimock Township, and Todd Platts, R-York, co-sponsored the Caregiver Tax Relief Act of 2008 and introduced it Wednesday night in Washington. The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee while additional co-sponsors and support are sought.

Though the bill would help those taking care of people of all ages that meet certain medical qualifications, the elderly population is the one Carney touched on the most Thursday.

“The way we take care of our seniors tells a lot about us as a community. Today, a lot of families are taking on the responsibility of caring for an aging parent. We should be helping these families in need, and helping seniors stay close to their loved ones. The Caregiver Tax Relief Act provides assistance to seniors and their families, and makes it easier for these families to stay together. This means helping a working mother who also cares for her elderly father, or making it easier for families to all chip in to pay for long-term care. I see families doing this every day, but caregivers also need to take care of themselves. This tax break makes care giving a little bit easier. I will fight to make sure this legislation becomes a reality,” said Carney.

Among those praising the idea is Margaret Yascur of Shavertown.

The 77-year-old said she could have used the financial aid when she took care of her ailing mother Anna Polisky. Her mother died in 1988, but Yascur said others currently in that position will find the tax credit useful.

“My mother lived with me and my family for about two years. It was definitely hard on us financially, but of course we would do everything we could for our mother,” the retired certified nurse’s aide said. “If we had had a tax credit, it could have helped out with all the extra expenses we had, and maybe we could have kept our family together longer. I’ve worked with Alzheimer’s patients living with their families, and it can be really difficult. I can see how this tax credit could be a huge help with all the good work they’re doing.”

Platts agreed.

“Individuals who take the responsibility to care for their loved ones are the unsung heroes of our health care system and save taxpayers millions of dollars every year,” Platts said. “This legislation will help keep families together and provides a small measure of relief to individuals and families making enormous personal sacrifices each and every day.”

Carney said the tax credit wouldn’t be a fix-all but would certainly alleviate the financial hardship many caregivers face on top of “the physical and emotional burdens.” He said he believes a person is best suited to be cared for by family members “rather than putting them in the hands of strangers.”

Carney Fights to Lower Gas Prices

Chris Carney is a leader in the fight to lower gas prices. While the lesser candidate offers only a misunderstanding of the root issues backed by empty rhetoric Congressman Chris Carney provides meaningful solutions.

United States Representative Christopher P. Carney, The 10th District of Pennsylvania

Website | About C. Carney | Issues & Legislation | Newsroom | Our District | Contact Me

Dear Friend, I am working to secure long-term solutions to the high cost of gas. Gas is over $4 a gallon in Pennsylvania, and Americans are looking for long-term solutions to high oil prices. We’re working in Congress to make sure all options are explored to lower the price of gas. Congress has passed legislation to address the long term problems of energy speculation, and legislation to address the short term problems with mass transit reimbursements and the domestic supply of oil. Pennsylvania families are paying too much for gas and Congressman Carney is supporting legislation to help bring down the prices. I’ve met with heating oil distributors, who share my concern that seniors on fixed incomes will be unable to afford to heat their homes this winter. Why are oil and gas companies increasing their supplies without giving a break to families who are struggling to make ends meet? The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to address both the long-term and short-term problem of high gas prices: H.R. 6052, Securing Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008, gives grants to mass transit authorities to reduce public transit fares. This provides consumers with a cost-effective alternative to $4.07 per gallon gasoline. The bill’s $1.7 billion in mass transit grants for the next two years would be used to expand transit services and mitigate operating costs of public transportation. It would be available to both rural and urban areas. With my support for this bill, it was approved on June 26th by a vote of 322-98. H.R. 6377, The Energy Markets Emergency Act directs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to use its full authority and most potent emergency tools to curtail excessive speculation and other practices distorting the energy market. Rampant speculation has been cited as one cause of the spike in gas prices. With my support for this bill, it was approved by a vote of 402 – 19 on June 26th. H.R. 6022, The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act, suspends the filling of the SPR starting June 30th and going through the end of the year. The SPR is nearly at capacity. By keeping more oil in the U.S. marketplace, we can increase the supply and drive down the price. This legislation passed with my support on May 13th by a vote of 385-25. I am also pushing for legislation that will bring further relief to Pennsylvania families. I am fighting for the U.S. House to pass the Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act, or “Use it or Lose it" legislation, which forces oil companies to produce oil and gas, or diligently develop, the 68 million acres of public land they already have leased. I know rising gas prices is an important issue throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania and I will continue to search for solutions to bring down the high cost of gas. Sincerely, Christopher P. Carney Member of Congress

Republicans Rally to Support Chris Carney

Republicans Rally to Support Chris Carney
"A prominent Republican Washington, D.C. lobbyist and former chief of staff for Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Philadelphia will host a $1,000-a-plate breakfast fundraiser for Carney on July 16 in the nation’s capital."

"Carney’s supporters say David Urban’s support shows the bi-partisan centrist nature of Carney. Urban, a partner at the lobbying firm American Continental, is hosting the fundraising breakfast with two of his colleagues. Urban, a registered Republican who grew up outside Pittsburgh and attended law school at Temple University, has a long history of donating to Republicans. Urban said his support of Carney does not reflect the views of his former boss Specter, but his own perspective.

“Over his term I’ve gotten to know Carney … he’s a pretty admirable guy and I think he’s doing great things for Pennsylvania,” he said."

Roan J. Confer, Jr.

Roan J. Confer, Jr.
Organization: Confer Law Office, P.C.
Areas of Concentration: Criminal Defense
Address: 211 West Fourth Street Williamsport PA 17701
Telephone Number: (570) 327-9200
Email Address: rconfer@conferlaw.com

Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar: 1997

Admitted to the Lycoming County Bar: 1997