Author Archives: Admin

Folds of Honor scholarships

Tulsa, OK – – The Folds of Honor Foundation announced today it has awarded more than 360 scholarships to the children and spouses of military members killed or severely disabled in the line of duty, bringing to 550 the total number of scholarships awarded in two years since the creation of the Foundation.

The scholarships can be used to attend 2-year, 4-year, post-college or vocational schools.

“For the second year now, we’re making dreams come true and we could not be happier to help honor our military families,” said Major Dan Rooney, Founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF).

“In so many cases, these scholarships are a lifeline to a better future – one of prosperity and happiness for entire families. We are very proud to have played an integral role in the future of the citizens of our nation.”

The FHF provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of service members disabled or killed as a result of their military service to our great nation.

Our unique scholarships can be applied to schooling now or held by Folds of Honor on behalf of young children until needed at the time of enrollment.

“We are incredibly thankful to the Folds of Honor Foundation and the unknown thousands of people who have made donations to the scholarship funds over the years,” said Sergeant Ramon Padilla.

Padilla lost his arm and sustained a brain injury while serving with 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan.

His children received four of this year’s scholarships. “Knowing that Monique, Melissa, Emily20and little Ramon will have the opportunity to go to college makes my husband and me proud,” said Judith Padilla.

We will never forget the generosity of the FHF and the American people for helping our family.”

Testimonials from past scholarship recipients can be found at www.foldsofhonor.org/testimonials.php. Hi-res images are available from jfisher@rubenstein.com

The Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF) is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization with a mission to empower deserving military families with educational support and opportunities. It was founded in 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, an F-16 pilot, golf course owner, PGA Professional and USGA member. A decorated military aviator, Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq.

After returning from his second tour, Major Rooney witnessed a profound display of a family’s grief as they welcomed home the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin which inspired him to create a Foundation to provide for the families of fallen military heroes. Details of that story can be found here: www.foldsofhonor.org/index.cfm?id=2

Patriot Golf Day, the flagship fundraising event for the Foundation, is a collaborative effort with The PGA of America, its 28,000 PGA Professionals and the USGA.

On Labor Day weekend, golfers across the country are asked to give an extra dollar or more t o fund Folds of Honor scholarships. The inaugural Patriot Golf Day in 2007 raised more than $1 million in a single day; this past year’s generosity reached more than $2 million.

The Mission of the Folds of Honor Foundation:

The Folds of Honor Foundation provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation.

It was founded by Major Dan Rooney, PGA Professional, USGA member and F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, after a life changing experience returning home: www.foldsofhonor.org/index.cfm?id=2.

New electric utility director named

EDMOND, Okla.–The City of Edmond announced today the hiring of Tim Berringer to fill the position of director of the municipal electric utility, Edmond Electric. Berringer’s expected start date is by the end of September. The position was vacated in July when Charlie Burgett retired after leading the utility for 17 years.

“Tim’s work experiences in the electric power industry is broad, which includes public power, investor-owned electric utility, responsible for distribution planning and operations and being a major customer of several electric utilities across the country, has provided him with a unique understanding of the industry from many perspectives and this knowledge will be a great benefit for Edmond Electric and its customers,” said Assistant City Manager of Operations Jerry Smith.

The electric utility is part of the city’s operations functions.

Berringer has 20 years of professional experience, most recently with Union Pacific Railroad as the manager of electrical design. His experience includes working for a utility in the field, in distribution planning and at a power plant.

He worked with rate structures, electrical studies, economic analysis, field personnel and budgets.

He has extensive experience in standards and operations concerning design, construction, maintenance and safety.

Prior to the position with Union Pacific, Berringer was the electrical distribution engineer with MidAmerican Energy Corporation and planning engineer with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD).

In his role at NPPD, Berringer was responsible for short and long term electrical plans for cities with populations of over 5,000. He performed power supply planning and forecasting for future substation sites.

“I believe that the positions I’ve have held at a public and investor-owned utility along with my present duties at Union Pacific Railroad have prepared me for director of Edmond Electric,” said Berringer.

“I enjoy all aspects of the electric utility business such as e lectrical engineering, managing personnel, and last but definitely not least, interacting with the public.”

A licensed Professional Engineer in Iowa and Nebraska, Berringer obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electric Engineering from Iowa State University in 1989.

“Tim is the fit we wanted for this critical position. He certainly has the technical expertise and experience that is required, but it is even more important to us that Tim has outstanding people skills to be a key part of our management team, appropriately lead the electric department, and effectively interact with citizen/customers in our community,” said City Manager Larry Stevens.

“Hiring for attitude and then skill is not just a slogan with the City of Edmond,” Stevens said. “Tim is ready to build on the tremendous success that Edmond Electric has earned with our customers.”

Berringer and wife, Gayla, have five children including three daughters, Amanda, Amber and Molly, and two sons, Brooke and Blake. Two of the daughters are in college, one son is a high school senior, another daughter is a freshman, and the youngest son is in the seventh grade.

Berringer said his wife has a degree in education and looked into the Edmond school system. “It was comforting to know that the Edmond School District is second to none in the state,” Berringer said.

“My current position with the railroad has allowed me to visit many areas within Oklahoma and it appears that Edmond is on e of the crown jewels,” said Berringer.

Berringer will be paid an annual salary of $118,562.

For more information about the City of Edmond or the electric utility, visit edmondok.com.

Last Updated ( Friday, 21 August 2009 )

Creating a drought resistant pasture grass

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service issued a press release today indicating that Bluegrass hybrids ideal for pasture and for lawns– could be developed faster using genetic markers developed by an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist.

ARS geneticist Jason Goldman at the agency’s Southern Plains Range Research Station in Woodward, Okla., identified nine DNA primers that produce markers that can verify successful bluegrass hybrids from DNA samples.

This saves time because breeders currently have to wait for the plant to mature before they can verify a hybrid by physical characteristics. The markers can be used on seedlings.

Goldman’s goal is a Kentucky bluegrass-like lawn or pasture grass that is highly tolerant to drought.

The research is part of the laboratory’s program for breeding perennial cool-season forage grasses for the southern Great Plains as alternatives to wheat and other annual crops.

Texas bluegrass is native to southern Kansas, Oklahoma, western Arkansas and most of Texas.

It tolerates heat and drought, but produces seed that is difficult to harvest and re- plant. It also lacks the turf quality of Kentucky bluegrass.

Kentucky bluegrass is not tolerant to heat and drought, but has excellent turf characteristics and produces seed that is easy to harvest and clean.

Goldman’s goal is to combine them into one variety with a broader geographic range than Kentucky bluegrass, while retaining Kentucky bluegrass’ good qualities.

The hybrid must also retain Kentucky bluegrass’ ability to produce seed that breeds true, ensuring identical progeny.

Goldman plans further tests to cross Texas bluegrass with other bluegrass species in addition to Kentucky bluegrass, and to see if the markers can be used for other purposes, such as identifying markers linked to desirable or undesirable plant traits.

This research was published in the journal Plant Breeding.

ARS is the principal intramural scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 August 2009 )

Health care, public option concerns

In what the White House has described as one of the longest emails they have ever sent, David Axelrod, Senior Adviser to the President issued a news release identifying key information on health care reform in an attempt to answer lingering questions.

This information was released on the heels on a new statement from the White House last night indicating that "the notion of the public option," could be growing weaker.

To help reduce the amount of misinformation, a new site for individuals to access the most up to date news on health care has been launched by the White House–www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck.
Along with the new website, Axelrod has identified key information citizens should take into consideration, such as the ways reform provides security, common myths, and reasons why we need health care reform: 8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage

Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history. Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

End Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

End Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.

End Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.

End Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.

Extend Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won’t be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

Learn more and get details: www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

8 common myths about health insurance reform

Reform will stop "rationing" – not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.

We can’t afford reform: It’s the status quo we can’t afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget.

To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork.

In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis. Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.

Vets’ health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans’ access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President’s budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.

Reform will benefit small business – not burden it:

It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.

Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform:

It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.

You can keep your own insurance:

It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.

No, government will not do anything with your bank account:

It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose.

Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.

Learn more and get details: www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck

www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq/?e=11&ref=myth1

8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now

Coverage Denied to Millions:

A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill.

Learn more: www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html

Less Care for More Costs:

With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages.

In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job. Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage.

Learn more: www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html

Roadblocks to Care for Women:

Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care.

Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care.

Learn more: www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html

Hard Times in the Heartland:

Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care.

The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas.

With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities.

Learn more: www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes

Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage:

Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers.

From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%.

Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%.

About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse.

Learn more: www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline/

The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone.

Learn more: www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/

Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%.

An estimated 87 million people – one in every three Americans under the age of 65 – were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families.

Learn more: www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html

The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets.

Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance – projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform.

Learn more:

www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf

www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf?e=11&ref=report

Another bank closing, deposits assumed by MidFirst

Monday, 17 August 2009
Community Bank of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, was closed today by the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver.

To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with MidFirst Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to assume all of the deposits of Community Bank of Arizona.

The four branches of Community Bank of Arizona will reopen on Monday as branches of MidFirst Bank. Depositors of Community Bank of Arizona will automatically become depositors of MidFirst Bank.

Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage.

Customers should continue to use their existing branches until MidFirst Bank can fully integrate the deposit records of Community Bank of Arizona.

Over the weekend, depositors of Community Bank of Arizona can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of June 30, 2009, Community Bank of Arizona had total assets of $158.5 million and total deposits of approximately $143.8 million. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, MidFirst Bank agreed to purchase approximately $125.5 million of assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

The FDIC and MidFirst Bank entered into a loss-share transaction on approximately $55.1 million of Community Bank of Arizona’s assets.

MidFirst Bank will share in the losses on the asset pools covered under the loss-share agreement. The loss-sharing arrangement is projected to maximize returns on the assets covered by keeping them in the private sector. The agreement also is expected to minimize disruptions for loan customers.

Customers who have questions about today’s transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-913-3058. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time (MST); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., MST; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., MST; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., MST.

Interested parties can also visit the FDIC’s Web site at: www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/community-az.html

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $25.5 million. MidFirst Bank’s acquisition of all the deposits was the "least costly" resolution for the FDIC’s DIF compared to alternatives.

Community Bank of Arizona is the 76th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the first in Arizona. The last FDIC-insured institution to be closed in the state was NextBank, Phoenix, on February 7, 2002.

Last Updated ( Monday, 17 August 2009 )